Parenting in the Screen Age
The Screenagers podcast

Tackling Problematic Social Media Use (encore)

October 19, 2026

In this episode, host Dr. Delaney discusses problematic social media use with therapist and media addiction expert Tracy Markle. Tracy is the founder and co-director of the Digital Media Treatment and Education Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Tracy explains the critical effects social media can have on teen mental health, particularly in girls and shares the therapeutic approaches she used in working with one teen girl in overcoming problematic social media.

Markle employs a family system approach and shares insights on how she included the mom in the treatment approach.

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Resources:

Tracy Markle, MA, LPC founder of Digital Media‍

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Additional Resources:

How to bring the Screenagers movies to your community

Screenagers Website‍

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Time Code:

00:00 Introduction to Screenagers Podcast

01:41 The Impact of Social Media on Teens

02:38 Case Study: A High Schooler's Struggle

03:53 Therapeutic Approaches and Family Systems

05:56 Challenges and Consequences of Social Media Overuse

14:34 Motivational Interviewing and Setting Boundaries

29:25 Skill Building and Final Thoughts

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