TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram are the most popular social media platforms for our kids today, and especially our teenagers. We are the first generation of parents that are confronted with the battle for our kids' time, their attention, and even their mental health. My guest today gives us a deep dive look at the impact of these social media platforms and what they are doing to our kids' lives, their mental health, and how we can be best armed and prepared to guide them as parents.  My guest today is Richard Capriola. He  spent 11 years working as an addictions counselor for Menninger Clinic in Houston Texas before retiring in 2019. Menninger Clinic is one of the top ten psychiatric hospitals in the United States and specializes in the assessment, stabilization and treatment of adults and adolescents with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. During his tenure there he worked in the Adolescent Treatment program and the adult Comprehensive Psychiatric Assessment and Stabilization program. Working closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurses he was responsible for comprehensive assessments and individual and group counseling with patients diagnosed with substance use disorders. His job with Menninger Clinic was a second career. Prior to joining Menninger, he spent 30 years working for the Illinois State Board of Education where he was a lobbyist, communications and external relations manager and special assistant to the State Superintendent of Education. After retiring from the State of Illinois in 2004 he worked as a mental health crisis counselor in central Illinois until he joined Menninger in 2008. Now retired, he lives with his wife in Katy, Texas, a suburb of Houston. He enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with family who live in Texas and on both coasts. He has one son, two stepchildren and four grandchildren. Show Notes https://www.thedadedge.com/friday71