I’m thrilled to welcome the impressive Elle Kristine. At just 16 years old, Elle is on a mission to revolutionize teen dating and tackle the mental health challenges that come with it. As the daughter of a previous guest, Andra Liemandt, founder of The Kindness Campaign, Elle has carried her mom’s passion for advocacy into the digital age. Inspired by her own experiences as a teen navigating relationships in a world shaped by social media and online influences, Elle is determined to make a difference—and she’s doing just that.

Revolutionizing Teen Dating: Elle Kristine on Navigating Modern Relationships, Mental Health, and Social Media Pressures

Elle shares how her early observations of the disconnect in teen dating dynamics led her to create a groundbreaking AI-powered app called AskElle that helps teens build social skills, navigate relationships, and get trusted advice vetted by experts (and moms!). From calling out the harmful impact of pornography on boys' perceptions of relationships to the challenges of modern dating apps like Snapchat, Elle shines a light on the unique pressures teens face today. Her insights are nothing short of eye-opening, offering parents actionable ways to support their kids while empowering teens with tools to build confidence, communicate better, and embrace rejection as a learning experience.

This conversation is a must-listen for parents, educators, and teens alike. Be sure to check out Elle’s app and TikTok for more of her inspiring work.

(00:04:29) Exposing Teen Dating Challenges & Creating AI Solutions

• Elle’s high school program that uses AI for accelerated learning

• 130. You Are Enough: Teaching Kids Self-Love & Resilience With The Kindness Campaign Ceo Andra Liemandt

• How pornography influences dating even at a young age

• The AI avatar Elle developed to give teens supportive dating advice

• The challenges with modern dating with social media

• Decoding Snapchat dating  and “micro cheating”

(00:13:06) Overcoming Bad Dating Advice & The Fear of Rejection

• Advice for parents with teens for talking about dating

• The most prominent bad dating advice on the internet

• What teens really need to know about sending nudes

• How Elle learned about the psychology of dating 

• Why teen dating is way down compared to other generations

• Tips for getting over the fear of rejection

(00:22:40) Helping Teens Develop Social Skills & Confidence

• The importance of developing skills to navigate relationships 

• Simple advice for teenagers who have a crush

• The impact of COVID on social skills and dating

• Confidence tips for approaching a crush 

• How Elle has incorporated this advice into her own life

• How Elle is getting the word out about her app 

(00:32:52) Teen Dating Red Flags & Social Media Boundaries

• Red flags for modern relationships 

• What inhibits teenage girls from healthy relationships

• Elle’s best advice for parents to create boundaries around social media

• The state of mental health in high school right now

• How parents can reach out to their teens about mental health

Thanks for the support from our partners, including 

Ketone IQ | This episode is sponsored by Ketone-IQ. Save 30% off your first subscription order and receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ at ketone.com/TBS.

Guest Info:

• App: AskElle

• TikTok: @elle.kristine

Resources:

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• Read: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing 

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• Therapy For All: Resources for those in need

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“The Big Silence” theme song written and performed by James Nicholas Kinney.

Producer, Bobby Goldstein.