The pandemic has triggered a variety of mental health symptoms, including bullying. Over the past year and a half, self-esteem and self-identity have taken a big hit, causing more adolescents to become targets or perpetrators of bullying. Bullying is about power. Those who are hurting from a mental or emotional disorder such as low self-worth, […]
While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly all of us, the adverse effects experienced by children may be the ones with the direst consequences, primarily because those are the ones that are most likely to be overlooked and unaddressed. Media has covered the economic and other hardships that have impacted adults; however, as a therapist, […]
More than 90% of teens use social media daily. Eighty-one percent of these teens use social media to connect with friends, and one-fifth of teen social media users spend four or more hours on it each day [Pew Research Center study]. These stats do not include the amount of time that teens spend on video […]
Our lives are full of life-changing moments. Many of the choices that we make have domino effects that impact ourselves and others. Some of the outcomes of our actions are obvious, but many will go undetected, especially those that affect other people. Bullying and kindness are two behaviors that often become life-changing moments. The Life-Changing […]
Seventy-five percent of bullied kids and teens have not told their parents. In fact, they haven’t told anyone. Most parents think they’ll know when and if their child becomes a victim of bullying. But the truth is, most don’t. Other parents feel their child is not at risk. The child has a good group of […]
It’s in the news, popular TV shows, and social media. Heavy topics such as bullying, suicide, drugs, vaping, and shootings are inundating our media. Sadly, these topics are realities for many people, especially teens. You may wonder if media affects bullying and other teen issues. The answer is absolutely; however, the effects can vary by […]
‘Roasting’ is not a new occurrence. Many of us grew up hearing roasts such as Yo Mama’s so ugly that…… or Yo Mama’s so fat that…. These Yo Mama jokes may be mean and cruel, but they’re an indirect insult vs. direct – and because of that, they usually aren’t used to bully or intentionally […]
A few years ago, one of my friends had a “going into middle school” pool party for her son the summer before he began 6th grade. She purchased a congratulatory card and asked guests to sign it. My friend’s niece, who was just going into high school, commented that she wasn’t sure what she should […]
As the end of winter break approaches, there are kids who fear returning to school. These are the kids who have been bullied, feel they have no friends, are struggling academically. There are also kids, especially adolescents and young teens, who worry about whether or not they’ll be accepted back in their clique or how […]
Republished from Washington Post’s On Parenting dated November 14, 2018. By Eileen Hoenigman Meyer. My tweens enthusiastically relate particularly clever “roasts,” the zingers that ping back and forth among friends. “You’re what happens when women drink when they’re pregnant.” “You’re so ugly your parents asked the doctor for a refund the day you were born.” “You’re […]
