Coach warns teen takeovers are worsening social media risks

Mary Catherine Liscinski, a digital addiction coach and author, is warning that teen takeover events are disrupting businesses and raising public safety concerns in multiple U.S. cities. She says families should limit teen internet and social media access until age 17 and points to screen overuse as a factor in youth mental health and attention problems.

Why it matters: - Teen takeover events are drawing large crowds and disrupting public spaces. - Liscinski says the trend is a safety issue for families, businesses and communities. - The warning lands as parents, schools and policymakers continue to debate youth screen use and social media access.

What happened: - Mary Catherine Liscinski, LPC, a digital addiction coach and author of A Guide for Getting Your Kids Off Screens, highlighted what she called an alarming social media trend. - She cited teen takeover gatherings of about 5,000 teens each in the Brier Creek area of Raleigh, North Carolina, and the Glenwood area of Raleigh, North Carolina. - She also cited a teen takeover in Newport Beach, California, where more than 400 people were arrested.

The details: - Liscinski says businesses are being disrupted and public safety is declining. - Liscinski said parents should not allow teens access to the internet or social media until age 17. - Liscinski linked screen overuse to the youth mental health crisis, effects on the developing brain, and attention-deficit symptoms. - Liscinski said families can reduce screen overuse with practical steps and the six science-based solutions in her book. - Liscinski said she can discuss current events and legislation related to children, screens, social media and digital addiction. - More information is available in the book and coaching resource.

Between the lines: - The message combines a public-safety warning with a broader argument that digital habits are shaping teen behavior offline. - Liscinski is tying a local social media trend to a national debate over children’s access to screens, smartphones and platforms. - The emphasis on age 17 suggests a stricter threshold than many families currently use.

What's next: - Liscinski is available for interviews by email and phone. - Her comments may keep attention on teen social media gatherings and on proposals to curb youth screen exposure. - The debate over how far parents, schools and lawmakers should go on digital restrictions is likely to continue.

The bottom line: - Liscinski is casting teen takeovers as a warning sign that social media use is becoming a safety and public-health issue, not just a parenting issue.