American media is full of troubling images and messages. Whether it’s video games, movies, social media, or other media outlets, our youth are bombarded with negativity. For example: The repeated exposure to disturbing media desensitizes children, and adults as well, to the negative emotional reactions that these experiences would normally produce. Studies have shown that, after enough exposures, the physiological
Read moreDid you know that the 100 days between Memorial and Labor Day are the deadliest for teens? Car crashes are behind this troubling statistic. The CDC estimates that 7 teens between the ages of 16 and 19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for American teens, and during the 100 Deadliest
Read moreSummer break can be filled with new opportunities and lots of fun for many families. But summer also can exaggerate irritations that parents and teens have with one another as they spend more time together. Don’t let these problems ruin the whole break! Here are some of the most common complaints parents have about teens over the summer and some
Read moreRaising teenagers has its highs and lows, but one of the fundamental things a child needs is a parent who stays consistent in showing them love and acceptance through good times and bad. Even as teens make mistakes or start to rebel, they still need the stability and support that comes from a parent who loves them for who they
Read moreAlmost every school in the United States struggles with smartphone use in the classroom. Some argue we should incorporate the technology into lessons since it’s such a vital part of our daily lives, while others argue that youth need a break from the devices and lose valuable class time due to the distractions. It’s hard to know what the right
Read moreThe thrill of victory, the agony of defeat! Regardless of whether you are a spectator or a participant, sports evoke strong emotions in us that are easy to get caught up in. It is no easy task to be a parent of a young athlete. Hard enough are the tasks of helping your child learn how to handle the ups
Read moreOne of our most important parenting responsibilities is to give teens the skills and tools they need to become successful in adulthood. We must teach them to cook, manage money, clean, and much more. And one of these vital skills is learning how to manage their own medical care. When you have small children, you must make all of the
Read moreThroughout history, teens have always developed their own slang to communicate with one another. While it’s very common, it can be disconcerting to parents who suddenly feel like they don’t know what their children are talking about. Trying to figure out what teens are saying is increasingly challenging, as the explosion of social media, memes, and online communication has increased the speed
Read moreHave you seen examples of parents shaming their kids on social media? Some parents share details about a teen’s misadventures on their Facebook page, call out troubling behavior on their teen’s Instagram, or announce escalating consequences for anyone to see. While this public behavior is dramatic, it’s actually not uncommon for parents to try to shame their children into better
Read moreIn a 2020 report, it was determined that 7.5 million Americans are stalked each year; and a staggering 48% of teens between the ages of 12 and 18 who had been in a dating relationship had been stalked or harassed by a partner. Since this seems to be a fairly common experience among youth, it’s important that parents talk to
Read moreA lot changes when your child turns 18-years-old, and it can be difficult for parents to know how to adjust their role. Technically, your teen has become an adult, and many of our systems – from medical practices to government offices – will no longer speak to you without the permission of your child. And yet, it’s not like a
Read moreMany parents don’t know when to begin discussing sex with their children. Some parents worry that if they bring up the topic, their child will be more likely to want to have sex or engage in sexual activities earlier. This is a myth; studies have shown that the opposite occurs. When parents are involved in their teenagers’ sexual education, teens
Read moreLet’s face it: teenagers can be mean sometimes. They know their parents’ buttons and just how to push them. If your teen is lashing out at you, rest assured that you are not alone. Every parent has had their feelings hurt by the sharp tongue of their teenage son or daughter. While it feels absolutely terrible, in truth, this kind
Read moreThere has been an uptick in teens posting about difficult experiences, challenging feelings, or emotional topics. For some teens, this is a way to be authentic or raise awareness about something they care about. For others, it can be a cry for help as they struggle with mental health issues. And for some, it can simply be attention-seeking behavior, which
Read moreWhat your teen sees when they look in the mirror can impact their mental and physical health, including how active they are and their risk for an eating disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health nearly half of children and teens have body image issues. And it’s no wonder since our society has an image-driven culture that focuses on
Read moreIt is very unfortunate that school shootings and gun violence have become so common that a majority of teenagers have felt some anxiety about the possibility. And as with any increasing safety risk for children, parents should talk to their teens about the facts and how to stay safe. Difficult conversations with teens – whether they are about drugs, sex,
Read moreOur culture does not always seem to value integrity, and our youth receive a lot of mixed messages about the merit of having good principles. Some teens have seen too many adults acting unethically to believe it’s important. Meanwhile, media subtly communicates to teens that the ends justifies the means – to get ahead, do whatever you need to do
Read moreAccording to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most teens who use drugs are searching for calm and trying to relieve stress. Mental health challenges among teens, which have been increasing over the last decade, seem to significantly influence substance abuse. The study used data from 15,963 health assessments of 13- to 18-year-olds evaluated for substance
Read moreAlmost every athlete experiences some nerves before a big competition, but some athletes, especially youth, are prone to competition anxiety, when the nerves start to negatively impact their performance. A young athlete might feel like their thoughts are racing, or their stomach feels upset, or they just can’t seem to focus. Competition anxiety is even more prevalent in athletes who
Read moreThe majority of teens today struggle with poor self-image. Our culture and media are constantly feeding them messages that imply they are not enough – not good-looking enough, not cool enough, not smart enough, not rich enough, etc. Social media, in particular, encourages teens to compare themselves to everyone else’s highlight reel. Inside, many teens wonder if they are valued
Read more