Q&A Portal Library

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What is the most said quote about social media being harmful to teenagers? Why does the media focus so heavily on the negative impacts of social media?

06/11/2025

While we can't know for sure what the most said quote is about social media being harmful to teenagers, the media does often focus on negative impacts of social media use despite research showing that the impact is nuanced or complex...

I am looking for some guidance on FaceTime calls that are appropriate for an 18-month-old toddler with a parent who is not in the same city.

06/04/2025

Thanks for your question! FaceTime and other videochat apps are a great way to use technology to support caregiver-child relationships. Whether parents or family members are living far away due to split households, military deployment, work travel, hospitalization, incarceration, or just living far away from grandparents, videochatting regularly can help young children build and sustain important emotional connections...

What should I do if my child seems to never fully be present anymore with me and our family? He is always on his phone, usually texting or on Instagram. Is there anything I can do to help?

05/22/2025

It can be difficult for children (and adults!) to practice mindful technology behaviors in a world where notifications and being constantly connected to devices, social media, and email are the norm...

Would you please comment on Chatroulette and Omegle? These apps were recently brought to my attention. I know they are for ages 18 and over but they seem like they would appeal to teens that are feeling isolated. Can you comment on the risks and/or potential benefits of using these platforms?

05/22/2025

Thank you for pointing out that anonymous online video chat platforms like Chatroulette and Omegle, while designed for adults, may still be used by youth! It can be tricky to find the best ways to educate and advise parents on these riskier platforms in a way that doesn’t also serve as continued promotion to curious teens...

How do social media trends, particularly ones that glamorize substance use behavior contribute to substance use in teens? How can parents effectively address concerns about substance use in this environment?

05/12/2025

While social media can be a great place for teens to connect with friends and stay informed, there is also the chance that they may come across substance-related content, especially posts that glamorize it. Let’s explore the relationship between substance-related content online and teens and consider ways parents can respond...

I’ve been watching the show Adolescence and I’m worried about the toxic things that my child might be exposed to online. How can I better understand what they’re going through?

05/12/2025

This is a great question - the Netflix series, Adolescence, has been a huge topic of discussion among families, news, researchers, and youth. The series is about a 13-year-old boy named Jamie who is arrested for the murder of a classmate...

My local community would like to start a class/learning session for preteens and young teenagers on social media, internet safety, and mental health. Do you all have any particular resources or suggested formatting for teaching basic classes? Our youth leaders have asked to lead these classes as well, so any recommendations would be much appreciated.

04/21/2025

Thank you for this question and for your interest in holding classes for adolescents about social media use. This sounds like a wonderful resource to provide in your community! There are a wealth of free, evidence-based resources and curriculums available. We’ve described several below...

Is there guidance on the amount of screen time a child should have at school? I've seen articles that talk about limiting non-educational screen time, but I'm wondering what guidelines schools might use, especially as technology often makes learning more accessible to certain groups of students, and with the increased focus on AI in education.

03/13/2025

While many parents feel comfortable monitoring the amount of non-educational screen time their child gets at home, they may not know how much their child is using technology – for learning or for fun – in school...

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