Category Archives: Dealing with Phases & Behavior

APA Issued A Health Advisory On Social Media Use in Adolescents

American Psychological Association (APA) issued information about the potential risks of content, features, and functions regarding the science of how social media affects youth.  Almost a year after APA issued its health advisory on social media, use in adolescence, society continues to wrestle with ways to maximize the benefits of these platforms while protecting youth from the potential harms associated with them. By early 2024, few meaningful changes to social media platforms had been enacted by industry, and no federal policies had been adopted. There remains a need for social media companies to make fundamental changes to their platforms. According … Continue reading →

Social Issues That Trouble Today’s Teens

Social issues are problems that affect large groups of people and can affect how well a society functions, Verywell Family reported. Teens can face social problems just like adults can. They may even be more susceptible to these challenges because their brains are still developing and their bodies are changing quickly. Social issues and what we might think of a “teenage problems” can affect emotional and physical health. Depression According to the National Instituted of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 4.1 million adolescents in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2020. That means 17% of … Continue reading →

81% Of Adults Favor Parental Consent For Minors To Use Social Media

More than 40 states and the District of Columbia are suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging its platforms purposefully use addictive features that harm children’s mental health, Pew Research Center reported. Amid this news, U.S. adults and teens are more likely to support than oppose requiring parental consent for monitors to create a social media account and requiring people to verify their age before using these platforms, according to a pair of new Pew Research Center surveys. But adults are far more supportive than teens of these measures, as well as limiting how much time minors … Continue reading →

CDC Has Positive Parenting Tips for Parents of Teenagers

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their positive parenting tips. There are several different categories that parents can read – depending upon the age of their children. Here are the recommendations for parents of teenagers between ages 15-17. According to the CDC, this is a time of changes for how teenagers think, feel, and interact with others, and how their bodies grow. Most girls will be physically mature by now, and most will have completed puberty. Boys might still be maturing physically during this time.  Your teen might have concerns about their body size, shape or weight. … Continue reading →

CDC has Advice for Parents of Toddlers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some positive parenting tips for parents of toddlers. Some of the advice is for toddlers who are 1-2 years of age, and some is for toddlers who are 2-3 years of age. Toddlers 1-2 years of age Read to your toddler daily. Ask her to find objects for you or name body parts and objects. Play matching games with your toddler, like shape sorting and simple puzzles. Encourage him to explore and try new things. Help to develop your toddler’s language by talking with her and adding to words she starts. For … Continue reading →

Study: Negative Mental Health Not Linked to Teen Tech Use

A study was published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science on May 3, 2021. The study was titled: “There Is No Digital Evidence That Associations Between Adolescent’s Digital Technology Engagement and Mental Health Problems Have Increased”. The results of the study may bring peace of mind to parents who worry about the amount of time their teenagers spend online. The Abstract of the study explains: Digital technology is ubiquitous in modern adolescence, and researchers are concerned that it has negative impacts on mental health that, furthermore, increase over time. To investigate whether technology is becoming more harmful, we examined changes … Continue reading →

Puberty Can Be Emotionally Overwhelming to Adolescents

Parents may have forgotten what it was like to go through puberty. According to Psychology Today writer David Schwartz LMFT, puberty can be emotionally overwhelming to adolescents. Your tween or teen may be experiencing emotional difficulty as their body changes. According to David Schwarts LMFT, adolescents start to experience a whole new world of feelings when they reach puberty. They start to have emotions, recognizing their own sexuality and longing for closeness with others of their own age. This can create an overwhelming sense of change and uncertainty. Many adolescents aren’t sure what is happening to them. Parents can help … Continue reading →

What Parents Should Know About Teen Romance During COVID-19

Did your teen start dating during the COVID-19 pandemic? The Washington Post has information that parents should know about teen romance in the age of COVID-19. Parents might be more aware of signs that their teen has started dating. It is easier to notice when everyone is working from home or virtually learning. This knowledge may make parents uncomfortable, but it also provides opportunity for parents and teens to have important discussions. The Washington Post reported that schools may or may not be providing school-based sexual education during the pandemic. Schools that have on-campus health centers, which may provide birth … Continue reading →

Mayo Clinic: Vaping Causes Health Risks to Teens

Is your teenager vaping? Many people believed that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. Since then, new information has revealed that there are some health risks that come from vaping. The Mayo Clinic points out that vaping can negatively affect health of teens. Part of the reason is because the vaping liquid includes nicotine.  According to the Mayo Clinic, nicotine dependence in teens and young adults is particularly concerning because when a person is younger than 25, the brain is still developing. Exposing a developing brain to an addictive drug such as nicotine can potentially lead to permanent alterations in … Continue reading →

California Reminds Parents to Count Young Children in the 2020 Census

The main purpose of the 2020 Census is to ensure that every person in the United States is counted once, only once, and in the right place. The 2020 Census will be the first to rely heavily on online responses, and will happen on April 1, 2020. California wants parents to make sure to include their babies, toddlers, and young children in the 2020 Census count. California state officials and advocates are trying to spread the word about the 2020 Census through preschools, doctor’s offices and community centers to count the youngest state residents – infants and children who are under … Continue reading →