Screens, Anxiety & the Disappearing Childhood | A Pediatrician Explains What Changed | Dr. Michael Glazier

Childhood has changed dramatically in just a generation. Kids spend more time on screens, less time playing outside, have fewer opportunities for independence, and are reporting anxiety at alarming rates.

In this conversation, Les sits down with pediatrician Dr. Michael Glazier, Chief Medical Officer of Bluebird Kids Health, to explore what's happening to kids and what parents can do about it.They discuss why childhood anxiety doesn't always look like anxiety, how stress can show up as very real physical symptoms, and the role phones, social media, isolation, and changing childhood experiences may be playing in children's mental health.

They also explore something we've increasingly removed from childhood: boredom. What happens when kids don't have enough opportunities to wander, play, solve problems, navigate conflict, take reasonable risks, and experience small amounts of adversity? And could our attempts to protect children actually be preventing them from developing some of the resilience they'll need later in life?

The conversation also covers nutrition, youth sports, parenting by example, the lasting social effects of COVID, and the rapidly growing role of AI in children's lives and education

In this episode...

Why anxiety in children can be difficult to recognize•

The connection between screens, social isolation, and anxiety•

Why boredom may actually be good for kids

Free play, independence, and developing resilience

Why physical symptoms can sometimes be related to stress

The problem with early sports specialization

How parents model behavior without realizing it

Nutrition and children's long-term health

The social consequences of COVID-era isolation

The potential benefits and risks of AI for children

What parents can do to support healthier, more resilient kids

If you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, or simply concerned about how childhood is changing, this conversation offers an important look at what kids may need more of, not just what they need protection from.

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Thanks so much for all of your support!

With gratitude,

Les and Sara

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