And we know from the doctrine of belonging that has been shared with us that serving is one of the central ways that we can find belonging.

And I think we all need belonging, but our young people especially need to find that belonging.

And one way we can do that is through serving with one another.

And it's important to remember that young people are doing amazing.

We know that this is a generation that has been reserved for this time.

And despite the fact that there are some challenges that they face,

I think it's important for me to remember that these are amazing spirits and amazing young people who, with the right support and autonomy given, will do exactly what they need because they'll have the Lord by their side.

So if we can offer them some scaffolding and help them to build relationships with

their Savior, then it's my testimony that we will see miracles.

This is John Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News. Welcome to the Church News podcast.

Today we're taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Recent findings by the Pew Research Center show that many parents and teens think it's harder being a teenager today than it was 20 years ago.

Many tout technology, especially social media,

as having a particularly negative impact on teen life. But how can parents and members of the Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ease the pressures on our youth and help them to flourish during

the teen years? This is a question that Dr. Lara Padilla Walker, Dean of Family Home and Social Sciences at Brigham Young University, has pondered deeply in her research as she focuses on parenting and media influences during adolescence and young adulthood.

Dr. Padilla Walker joins this episode of the Church News podcast to help us discover how positive behaviors can both replace and protect against negative behaviors and how

sacred living strategies can help families stay stronger and happier. Dr. Padilla Walker,

thank you for joining us today on the Church News podcast. Thank you so much for having me.

I want to start by asking you from your perspective as a researcher and seeing all the things

that you have seen throughout your career. What are seeing all the things that you have seen throughout your

career. What are some of the challenges that you see of being a teenager today? I think there's

...