AI Is the New Social Media. Can We Protect Kids This Time?

Laurie Santos talks with Bruce Reed, head of AI at Common Sense Media, about the mental health risks of AI for young people, drawing parallels to the social media crisis. They discuss research from Jean Twenge, Jonathan Haidt, and others showing how smartphones and social media have harmed teen well-being, and explore new studies on AI companions, the effort paradox, and the psychology of loneliness. The conversation offers practical strategies for parents and educators—such as self-compassion, radical acceptance, and promoting real-world challenges—to help children thrive in an AI-driven world.