Episode 252: Is It Harder to Be a Teen Today? Plus, ‘Transformers One’, Best TV Shows to Binge Watch

It’s not easy being a teen.

So say the findings of a new Pew Research study reported on by our own Emily Tsiao. According to the study, more than two-thirds of parents say it’s harder to be a teen today than it was 20 years ago. About 44% of teens agreed, compared to just 12% who believe it’s easier.

And just why is it so hard? Well, most parents (and many teens) point to one overarching concern: technology. Whether it’s screen time or social media or devices in general, parents say that tech is a prime culprit as to why their teens seem so stressed out. Yep, that’s right. All those toys and tools designed to make our lives easier may be adding another level of difficulty to it instead.

I dive into that study and discuss its findings with two parenting experts, Jonathan McKee (who’s written a book called Parenting Generation Screen) and Adam Holz (who has three teenagers of his own). It’s an interesting and, dare I say, illuminating conversation.

And while we’re on the subject of tech, let’s look at some technological marvels from the planet of Cybertron. That’s right, we’re talking Transformers—specifically the new origin-story movie, Transformers One. Bob Hoose reviewed the film for Plugged In, and he tells us that it’s … well, you’re going to have to listen to hear what he tells us.

And then, what are you going to tell us? Tell us! Do you think it’s harder to be a teen today? Are you excited about the latest Transformers film? Let us know on Facebook and Instagram. Leave us a voicemail on The Plugged In Show homepage. Send us an email (team@theshow.com). Or just comment down below. It may be hard to be a teen, but it’s easy to talk to us.

And remember to listen in next week when we talk about The Wild Robot and, by extension, sad—but good—movies.

The post Episode 252: Is It Harder to Be a Teen Today? Plus, ‘Transformers One’ appeared first on Plugged In.