Twenty years ago, recreational cannabis products were illegal in almost every state in the country. Twenty-one states allowed the medical use of cannabis, and in 14 states, possession of small amounts of cannabis was decriminalized. However, marijuana was completely illegal for medical and recreational use in most states, and cannabis use among teenagers was at […]
Read MoreChild trafficking is a serious problem in the U.S. and worldwide. This abhorrent practice almost disappeared in the U.S. in the 1990s, but is back, and increasing every year. The return of child trafficking is directly related to the prevalence of the internet, smartphones, and social media/messaging technology. Texting and messaging technology appeared in the […]
Read MoreIn the year 2021, teens looking for ways to spend their spare time have virtually unlimited options. Instant connectivity – a result of the computer revolution – allows them to go online and connect with peers who share their same interests at any time they choose. Teens can connect with teens halfway around the world, […]
Read MoreIf you’re the parent of a teen interested in improving your teen’s social skills, you probably spend time reading up on teen psychology. Here’s a theme, or trope, you likely see all the time: Life is about experiences. The more new, diverse experiences you have, the more you learn and grow. The more you learn […]
Read MoreNothing compares to getting lost in the pages of a fantastic book. Talented authors can keep you engaged for hours at a time, turning page after page as you anticipate what comes next. Summer reading programs at local libraries and Scholastic book fairs were a large part of childhood for many adults today. The advent […]
Read MoreBanning books is not a new practice. Attempts to keep adolescents from reading material unsuitable for their age range have been around for over a century. Historians usually consider Uncle Tom’s Cabin as the first nationally banned book in the United States toward the end of the 1800s. We’d like to think limiting access to […]
Read MoreNews stations have spent the last few years stoking debates about transgender individuals. From transgender people enlisting in the military to whether transgender people should be allowed to play sports to which restroom transgender people should use, the small but substantial portion of the population has faced intense public scrutiny from every direction. An estimated […]
Read MoreTeen mental health is a primary concern in our society right now. The pandemic significantly disrupted the end of the 2019-2020 school year and the entire 2020-2021 school year. So far, the 2021-2022 school year – fingers crossed – appears to be a return to our regularly scheduled programming. Or, at very least, most high […]
Read MoreTips on Building Trust With Your Teen A funny thing happens during pre-adolescence. This isn’t true for all kids, but for most. One day they’re all talk. Chitter-chatter about this, that, and the other thing. From the moment you pick them up from school or they get home from the bus stop to the moment […]
Read MoreThere’s one thing we know about mental health that applies to people of any age, from children to teenagers to full-grown adults: people who are actively engaged in life report high levels of life satisfaction and overall wellbeing. That’s not only true for their mental health, but also true for their physical health. For the […]
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