Teen Brain

By: David Gillespie

Narrated by: David Gillespie

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

With their labile and rapidly developing brains, adolescents are particularly susceptible to addiction, and addiction leads to anxiety and depression.

What few parents will know is that what we think of as the most typical addictions and problematic teen behaviours - smoking, drinking, drug taking, sex leading to teenage pregnancy - are on the decline.

The bad news is that a whole raft of addictions has taken their place. Whereas once the dopamine-hungry brain of a teenager got its fix from smoking a joint or sculling a Bundy and coke, it is now turning to electronic devices for the pleasure jolt that typically comes from online playing games and engaging with social media.

What is doubly troubling is that, unlike drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, electronic devices are not illicit. Quite the contrary.

They are liberally distributed by schools and parents, with few restrictions placed on their use.

And, to add fuel to the fire, emerging research shows that if addictive pathways are activated during the teen years, they are there for life, and that what starts as a screen addiction can lead to major substance abuse later in life.

©2019 David Gillespie (P)2019 Macmillan Australia Audio

For every parent

Every parent should listen to this book. Parents should also encourage other parents and family and friends to also listen to this book. We must build a community of families friends, schools and teachers to aspire and live up to the principles outlined in this book. The mental health and future of our children depends on it.

Excellent

David Gillespie not only explain a complex subject that a laymen could comprehend but also tied this concepts to actual behaviors and realistic advise. Brilliant

Ps it took me a few chapters to neutralize David’s Australian ascent.