The terrifying ways that social media is altering teenage brains | Clare Morell: Full Interview
In her compelling interview, Clare Morell, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, exposes the alarming impact of social media on the developing brains of teenagers. Drawing from her book, “The Tech Exit,” she argues that smartphones and social media are not just distractions; they fundamentally disrupt childhood by replacing genuine social interactions with virtual ones. Morell highlights how the addictive design of these platforms hijacks normal brain development, making youth increasingly susceptible to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
During critical growth periods, children’s brains become wired for social rewards, but social media delivers artificial dopamine highs that skew their perception of genuine happiness. This results in a cycle of craving more online engagement at the expense of real-life experiences. Morell emphasizes that parental controls and screen time limits fall short, as they do not address the addictive nature of these platforms.
Offering a clearer path, Morell introduces the idea of opting out of smartphones for children, suggesting alternatives like “dumb phones” and emphasizing the value of real-world interactions. She calls for collective action, urging families, schools, and policymakers to implement stricter regulations on tech companies to protect children’s mental health. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Morell advocates for a nurturing environment where wholesome childhood experiences can thrive—away from the omnipresent grip of screens.
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Smartphones and social media are hijacking our younger generation’s childhood and development in a frightening way. Clare Morell, researcher and author of The Tech Exit, is sounding the alarm.
0:00 Hijacking our children’s brains
0:42 Smartphones are hurting our children
2:27 Social reward wiring
3:25 Dopamine deficit
4:00 Desensitization
5:34 A child’s brain on social media
11:32 How to exit tech and give your kids a better life
13:14 Why screen time limits fail
14:52 Tech-free families
16:12 Smart phone and mental health quality
18:08 Dumphones
19:33 Social media and social isolation
24:57 Autism and ADHD and Electronic Screen Syndrome
26:46 How smartphones distract us
28:41 Technoference
31:20 How to free your child from the perils of smartphones
32:16 What to focus on after exiting tech
34:18 Getting your kids’ buy-in
45:18 What is a reasonable age for a smartphone?
57:01 The decline of reading scores
57:57 Reading on screens versus reading on paper
1:01:58 Section 230 law
1:08:55 The pornography epidemic
Read the video transcript ► [Link to site article]?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
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About Clare Morell:
Clare Morell is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) and director of the Technology and Human Flourishing Project. She is the author of The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones.
About Big Think
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Video “The terrifying ways that social media is altering teenage brains | Clare Morell: Full Interview” was uploaded on 12/18/2025 to Youtube Channel Big Think