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 […]
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 […]
Season two of the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why has just been released. As a therapist and with much hype for this successful and controversial series centering around a teenager’s tragic suicide, I am often asked for my perspective on if and how this series should be watched by families and teens. Before exploring why […]
The types of bullying that are characterized by mean social posts, name-calling or brutal beatings may be the ones that most often make news headlines. But, there is another type of bullying that can be just as painful and devastating. This type of bullying is often the one that happens at schools, camps and other […]
To say that recent technology has changed the way that many tweens and teens socialize, may be an understatement. For many, social media is a way of life. It’s how they share and communicate with their friends. Although social media may be the norm, parental boundaries and open communication are essential to help your child […]
As summer is approaching fast, you have probably started to plan activities for your kids. Some kids will go to camp (click here for a comprehensive list of local summer camps), others may have summer jobs or summer school. It’s important that even during summer activities, we’re aware of any potential bullying situations. When kids […]
Children who are bullied may display warning signs before they tell you or another adult. If you notice that your child hasn’t been acting like him or herself, seems unhappy or displays any of the warning signs, the first thing you should do is try talking to him or her. Or, have your child speak to […]
When your child has been bullied, you can feel lost. What do you do? Your child might not want to talk about it or may have trouble expressing any emotions. And you have your own feelings about the situation. You may have questions or want to get right to planning. It can be hard to […]
Today we hear the word “bullying” a lot. Kids will say that someone is “bullying them,” but what does bullying really mean? What does it really look like when a child is being bullied? Let’s start with what bullying is not. Bullying is not a confrontation or conflict between two peers. It isn’t a verbal […]
