I love that we’re finally talking about mental health out loud. As a dad, whenever I see a real initiative to equip youth and young adults with the tools they need to manage their minds, I’m going to shout it from the rooftops.
If you want to know how to lower your child’s anxiety, the absolute best approach is a mix of setting digital boundaries, modeling emotional health, and literally dragging them outside to touch grass.
Google just announced a partnership with Active Minds, donating $5 million for a massive national expansion of mental health and digital wellbeing programming. Their goal? Equipping 100,000 young people with the skills and self-efficacy to take action for their mental health.
That is incredibly good news. I’ve had friends who battled depression. If they had only been given the tools to handle their mental health back then, maybe they would still be with us today.
The Tech Stranglehold on Our Kids
Alison Malmon, the Executive Director of Active Minds, recently noted that today’s youth are navigating a world where mental health, technology, and connection are deeply intertwined.
She isn’t wrong. Technology has a bit of a stranglehold on our daily lives. This got me thinking: How can I teach my own children to protect their mental health before the digital world completely swallows them up?
I came up with three small, practical things we can do as dads that work wonders.
3 Simple Ways to Lower Your Child’s Anxiety
1. Hard Caps on Screen Time
The CDC conducted a study showing that youth who get over four hours of screen time are 27% more likely to exhibit signs of anxiety. Limiting screen time does more than just reduce immediate stress. It stops our kids from constantly comparing their behind-the-scenes lives to everyone else’s highly curated highlights posted on social media.
2. Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask First
Your kids are watching you. In 2025, a Rutgers University study found that children who witnessed parental depression at age five were significantly more likely to develop behavioral issues later on.
On the flip side, kids whose parents practice mindfulness skills are much better at regulating their own emotions. Investing in your own mental health isn’t selfish; it’s a necessity for your family. One thing I’ve learned as a dad is that I cannot get sick, I cannot be sad, and I cannot die, because these kids will absolutely crumble. Take care of yourself so you can take care of them.
3. Go Touch Grass (Literally)
I still remember the first time I hiked up to a waterfall. I felt this intense, calming presence. I felt connected to God like never before.
As it turns out, science backs this up. Spending intentional time in nature drastically lowers stress levels compared to children who grow up with limited outdoor family experiences. It is nature over screen time whenever its possible.
Changing the Playbook for the Next Generation
There are so many incredible resources available to us these days. The more we can openly and safely talk about our own mental health—and the mental health of our kids—the better equipped they will be.
Figuring out how to lower your child’s anxiety doesn’t require a medical degree. It just takes showing up, setting boundaries, and being the anchor they need. Let’s do our part today so we can leave a healthier, happier future for our grandkids.