Hold Me Back Podcast: Social Media

Social Media is no longer just a “thing teens are into” – it’s become the primary portal into Gen Z’s lives, and the metaverse in which they experience every aspect of their world. Aidan and Ash explore the dangers and wonders of these social networks, including how parents and teens should approach them differently, in a candid interview with Carrie Kerpen, a bestselling author and CEO of the most prominent social media consultancy in the country. All in this week’s episode of Hold Me Back. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

• Episode Summary & Player
• Show Notes
• Hold Me Back Summary

Social Media

Social Media is no longer just a “thing teens are into” – it’s become the primary portal into Gen Z’s lives, and the metaverse in which they experience every aspect of their world. Aidan and Ash explore the dangers and wonders of these social networks, including how parents and teens should approach them differently, in a candid interview with Carrie Kerpen, a bestselling author and CEO of the most prominent social media consultancy in the country. They also welcome a member of their own family, who’ll share an eye-opening story that reveals the perils of one particular aspect of social media. This episode covers everything from TikTok to parental controls. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What happened with Aidan’s mom and social media?
• Did following Instagram influencers make Ally feel better or worse?
• How many hours a day was Ally on Instagram?
• What was social media like in the early days?
• Are social media platforms in an impossible situation?
• What is happening with the Facebook whistleblower?
• How should parents approach how their kids use social media?
• Would social media have made things better or worse for Ash growing up?

Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote at the bottom of this post.

Enjoy the show! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Intro to Social Media
• [0:17] This episode of Hold Me Back is brought to you by Motto. Get started with Motto at Aspen Dental or MottoAligners.com
• [1:02] Welcome to Hold Me Back
• [1:11] Meet Aidan (Gen Z) & Ash (Gen X)
• [1:27] Hold Me Back Podcast #4: Left to Their Own Devices (and Screen Time) & Hold Me Back Podcast #6: Do Not Disturb: On Parents, Teens, and Privacy
• [1:48] Where did this episode idea come from?
• [2:06] What happened with Aidan’s mom and social media?
• [4:28] Facebook, Instagram
• Interview with Ally ElDifrawi
• [4:56] What happened with Ally and Instagram?
• [5:30] Was it harder and harder to stay off it?
• [5:54] What influencers did she follow?
• [6:13] Did that make her feel better or worse?
• [6:41] What negative effects did it have on her?
• [7:56] Body Image
• [8:09] TikTok
• [8:49] Screen Time
• [9:04] How many hours a day was Ally on Instagram?
• [9:41] Why did she get defensive?
• [10:04] Was food a key part of it?
• [10:57] How did swimming impact her approach to eating?
• [13:03] Why are social media platforms changing your way of thinking?
• [13:47] Is it easy now for Ally to overcome how social media platforms affect you?
• [14:48] “Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show“
• [16:00] This episode of Hold Me Back is brought to you by Motto. Get started with Motto at Aspen Dental or MottoAligners.com
• Interview with Carrie Kerpen
• [17:38] Carrie Kerpen, Likeable Media
• [19:20] What was social media like in the early days?
• [20:27] Advertisers
• [20:42] Clients
• [21:00] How does Carrie reconcile being a “double agent?”
• [22:28] Are social media platforms in an impossible situation?
• [23:41] Instagram Screen Time
• [25:12] What is happening with the Facebook whistleblower?
• [26:23] Data
• [26:55] Finsta
• [27:16] Google
• [27:52] What are the intentions of the social media networks?
• [28:52] TikTok Algorithm
• [31:47] Meta
• [32:04] Facebook buys Instagram
• [33:43] Filters
• [34:32] Snapchat
• [34:58] Do guys & girls use Instagram differently?
• [35:29] Kardashians, Khloé Kardashian
• [36:07] Plastic Surgery
• [36:45] What do boys use Instagram for?
• [37:03] Chris Hemsworth
• [37:19] Hold Me Back Podcast #12: Grades
• [37:51] How should parents approach how their kids use social media?
• [41:42] Social Media Monitoring
• [43:02] Private School
• [43:43] Helicopter Parents vs. Lawnmower Parents
• [44:14] Mental Health
• [44:29] Podcast
• [45:26] College
• [46:12] Ivy Schools
• [47:16] University of Maryland
• [47:32] What advice does Carrie have for parents?
• [48:23] YouTube College Acceptance Reaction Videos
• [49:28] Does Carrie know parents who ban social media?
• [51:02] How can kids & parents use social media to their advantage?
• [51:39] TikTok Dances, Britney Spears
• [52:23] What final thoughts does Carrie have?
• Aidan & Ash’s Key Takeaways
• [54:22] Profit, The Social Dilemma
• [55:02] Would social media have made things better or worse for Ash growing up?
• [57:57] How do parents & teens engage in a way that helps bridge the divide on social media?
• [1:01:38] Thank you for listening! Follow Hold Me Back on HoldMeBack.com and on Instagram & Facebook
• [1:01:42] Leave us a 5-star written review on Apple Podcasts
• [1:01:45] Who was more convincing: Aidan or Ash? Vote below