Ever feel like your kids are being raised by TikTok instead of you?  Well, you’re not crazy. Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, an expert on digital addiction and author of Glow Kids and Digital Madness, is here to explain just how much technology is hijacking our kids' sense of identity.

 

📢 The Big Takeaway: Tech Is Raising Our Kids

 

Timmerie and Dr. Kardaras detail how kids develop their identity.:

 

🔹 Ages 0-2: Babies think they’re the same person as Mom. 🤱


🔹 Ages 2-10: Kids start forming their own sense of self, largely based on their parents.


🔹 Ages 10+: Friends become the biggest influence… except today, “friends” = TikTok influencers, YouTubers, and random internet people. 😬

 

🚨 The Tech Takeover

 

Back in the day, kids looked up to real people they actually knew: parents, teachers, coaches. Now, they’re spending 9-13 hours a day online, being shaped by influencers, many of whom are struggling with their own identity issues.

 

🔻 Used to be: “I wanna be like that athlete! 🏀”


🔺 Now: “I wanna be like a YouTuber who eats ghost peppers for a living.” 🤦‍♀️

 

And the scariest part? Parents often have NO IDEA who their kids are following or what values they're absorbing. Unlike past celebrities, today’s influencers are constantly in their faces, shaping their views on everything: gender, morality, success, even posture and clothing.

 

🛠️ The Solution: Build Identity Before the Internet Does

 

Dr. Kardaras says that kids need a strong foundationbefore they get swallowed by the digital vortex. The key? Faith, family, and real-world activities.

 

✅ Family time: Kids need real human connection, not just screen time.


✅ Faith formation: A relationship with God gives them an identity rooted in truth, not social media trends. ✝️


✅ Sports & Hobbies: Teamwork, discipline, and purpose keep them grounded.

 

If they don’t have these things in place early, they’re much more vulnerable to the “influencer identity trap,” where they start imitating people they’ve never even met. 😵

 

🔥 The Bottom Line

 

Your kids are going to be influenced by someone. The question is: who’s calling the shots? If you don’t help them build a rock-solid sense of self, the internet will do it for you. 

 

So, start young. Be intentional. Know who your kids are following. And maybe… just maybe… keep them off TikTok until they know who they actually are. 

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Ever feel like your kids are being raised by TikTok instead of you?&nbsp; Well, you&rsquo;re not crazy. Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, an expert on digital addiction and author of Glow Kids and Digital Madness, is here to explain just how much technology is hijacking our kids' sense of identity.
&nbsp;
📢 The Big Takeaway: Tech Is Raising Our Kids
&nbsp;
Timmerie and Dr. Kardaras detail how kids develop their identity.:
&nbsp;
🔹 Ages 0-2: Babies think they&rsquo;re the same person as Mom. 🤱
 🔹 Ages 2-10: Kids start forming their own sense of self, largely based on their parents.
 🔹 Ages 10+: Friends become the biggest influence&hellip; except today, &ldquo;friends&rdquo; = TikTok influencers, YouTubers, and random internet people. 😬
&nbsp;
🚨 The Tech Takeover
&nbsp;
Back in the day, kids looked up to real people they actually knew: parents, teachers, coaches. Now, they&rsquo;re spending 9-13 hours a day online, being shaped by influencers, many of whom are struggling with their own identity issues.
&nbsp;
🔻 Used to be: &ldquo;I wanna be like that athlete! 🏀&rdquo;
 🔺 Now: &ldquo;I wanna be like a YouTuber who eats ghost peppers for a living.&rdquo; 🤦&zwj;♀️
&nbsp;
And the scariest part? Parents often have NO IDEA who their kids are following or what values they're absorbing. Unlike past celebrities, today&rsquo;s influencers are constantly in their faces, shaping their views on everything: gender, morality, success, even posture and clothing.
&nbsp;
🛠️ The Solution: Build Identity Before the Internet Does
&nbsp;
Dr. Kardaras says that kids need&nbsp;a strong foundation before they get swallowed by the digital vortex. The key? Faith, family, and real-world activities.
&nbsp;
✅ Family time:&nbsp;Kids need real human connection, not just screen time.
 ✅ Faith formation:&nbsp;A relationship with God gives them an identity rooted in truth, not social media trends. ✝️
 ✅ Sports &amp; Hobbies: Teamwork, discipline, and purpose keep them grounded.
&nbsp;
If they don&rsquo;t have these things in place early, they&rsquo;re much more vulnerable to the &ldquo;influencer identity trap,&rdquo; where they start imitating people they&rsquo;ve never even met. 😵
&nbsp;
🔥 The Bottom Line
&nbsp;
Your kids are going to be influenced by someone. The question is: who&rsquo;s calling the shots? If you don&rsquo;t help them build a rock-solid sense of self, the internet will do it for you.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
So, start young. Be intentional. Know who your kids are following. And maybe&hellip; just maybe&hellip; keep them off TikTok until they know who they actually are.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Advertisement