Talking To a Digital Native

Parent Choices for Struggling Teens

Guest: Malissa Morrell, 801-638-8779, [e-mail], laeuropa.com, licensed Marriage and Family Therpist, national board-certified art therapist, and runs La Europa's "Social Media and Technology Track." Interviewed by host Lon Woodbury and co-host Elizabeth McGhee, Malissa explained that a Digital Native is a youth born about the mid-nineties or even earlier, and have lived and depended on digital devices all their lives. She explained evidence that, as a result of this different experience, these young people seem to have brains wired somewhat differently, seem to think a little differently and communicate somewhat differently than their older siblings, parents and teachers. We discussed what many of the implications of this change in environment both positive and negative, and how parents and professionals have to adjust to this new perspective in order to help them grow up successfully.