How do we protect kids in a world that's always online?

Dr. Scott Poland has been on the frontlines of school crisis response and youth suicide prevention for decades — but today’s challenges with social media and mental health are unlike anything we’ve faced before.

In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay reconnects with one of Safe and Sound Schools’ earliest champions to talk about what’s really going on with kids today, and how parents, educators, and communities can respond with clarity, compassion, and practical tools.

From the rise of anxiety and depression to the role of family modeling and digital literacy, this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard truths — but it also offers real hope.

In this conversation:

• Why “more green time, less screen time” might be the mantra we all need
  

• How digital life impacts self-worth, bullying, and mental health
  

• What families can do right now to set healthier boundaries with tech
  

• The critical role of school psychologists and student services
  

• How community support makes the difference after a school tragedy
  

👉 Listen now and explore what it really means to support youth mental health in today’s world.

Visit safeandsoundschools.org to access mental health resources, school toolkits, and expert guidance.

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