Dangerous Apps: What Parents Need to Know in 2025
A recent warning from the Fort Collins Police Department reminds us that the most dangerous apps on a child’s device often don’t look dangerous at all. Hidden behind harmless icons or friendly branding, these apps can expose children to serious online risks like sextortion, cyberbullying, grooming, and data exploitation. Some of the apps flagged by […]
Why Kids Can’t Focus: The Rise of Attention Fragmentation
In today’s digital world, attention is constantly under attack, especially for kids. With endless notifications, app-switching, and algorithm-driven content, staying focused has become harder than ever. This growing issue, known as attention fragmentation, is reshaping how young people think, learn, and feel. What Is Attention Fragmentation? Attention fragmentation happens when focus is repeatedly broken, by […]
What To Do If Your Child Is a Victim of Sextortion
Understanding Sextortion Sextortion is a form of online abuse where a person threatens to share sexual images or information unless demands are met. Most victims are tricked or manipulated into sending content. The abuser then uses fear and shame to maintain control. This guide is here to help you respond, calmly, clearly, and with care. […]
The Emoji Glossary Every Parent and Educator Needs
We decoded the emojis teens use to signal everything from flirting to danger. Use this glossary to better understand what’s really being said in chats, DMs, and group texts. Sexual or Suggestive These are often used in flirty or sexual contexts—sometimes as coded references to explicit content: Drug-Related Violent or Alarming Other Slang or Subtextual […]
Teens and Social Media Safety in the Series Adolescence
The series Adolescence isn’t easy to watch, and that’s exactly why it matters. It pulls back the curtain on how today’s teens live online. Behind the group chats, stories, and emojis, there’s often a very different emotional reality, one filled with pressure, confusion, and silence. For anyone working in education, parenting, or online safety, the […]
The Myopia Epidemic
Myopia (nearsightedness) is on the rise, and it’s becoming a serious public health issue. By 2050, an estimated 740 million children and teenagers could be affected. Increased screen time, less time outdoors, and constant close-up focus on digital devices are driving this epidemic. If we don’t take action, millions of children could face long-term vision […]
Why 2010 Marked a Mental Health Crisis for Teens
For years, psychologists and researchers have attempted to decode the alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and self-harm among teenagers. While mental health challenges have always existed, something changed dramatically around 2010. Jonathan Haidt’s latest research, featured in The Anxious Generation, underscores how this period marked an inflection point in adolescent well-being. But why? What made […]
Doomscrolling is Rewiring Our Brains
Ever found yourself glued to your phone at 2 AM, scrolling through one distressing headline after another? You tell yourself, just one more post, but an hour later, you’re still scrolling—wired, anxious, unable to sleep. This isn’t just a bad habit. It’s a design feature. The Science of Doomscrolling Doomscrolling—consuming a steady stream of negative […]
Are Parental Controls Enough?
Why Direct Messages and Ephemeral Features Remain a Blind Spot Parental controls help many families feel safer about online activity. Yet they often fail to monitor private, encrypted, or disappearing chats. This gap creates a blind spot for parents who rely too much on software filters. Parental Controls: A Partial Solution Many tools block explicit […]
The Impact of Social Media on Young Athletes: Finding Balance in the Digital Age
Social media has become an undeniable force in our lives, and young athletes are no exception. While it offers a platform for connection, motivation, and self-expression, its influence can also be a double-edged sword, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Understanding both the benefits and drawbacks can help young athletes navigate the digital landscape in a […]