Parenting and Identity With Dr. Udo Fischer

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In this video, Dr. Thornburg discusses how modern social media allows identity to be shaped, filtered, and experimented with in ways that were not possible in previous generations. From avatars and filters to memes and online communities, children and teens are exposed to a wide range of identities and ideas that can be explored, adopted, or discarded with ease.

He also examines how this digital environment intersects with emotion-based parenting, where the focus may shift toward preventing discomfort, stress, or unhappiness rather than building tolerance for challenge. When children learn that heightened emotional distress leads to increased attention or avoidance of stressors, it can unintentionally reinforce patterns that make everyday challenges harder to navigate.

This discussion encourages parents to reflect on how early parenting approaches, emotional boundaries, and resilience-building shape a child’s ability to tolerate discomfort and develop a stable sense of self.