Being a parent in today’s world comes with unique challenges as young individuals face exposure to a variety of super-stimulating substances and activities. From substances like drugs and alcohol to pornography, gaming, social media, and gambling, the list is extensive. Here are the steps to guiding your teens from addictive habits.
Alcohol consumption is often normalized as a social bonding activity, for celebrations, coming-of-age events, and work functions. Alcohol is often used as a social lubricant or stress reliever in various contexts. Despite alcohol’s popularity and wide availability, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified alcohol as a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance.
Gambling has a long history in the human culture of games. It is a normalized activity in many societies and often viewed as a casual pastime amongst family and friends. However, when the activity starts to take value away from life rather than enhance lives, the risk of behavioral addiction may be present .
The New Digital Dangers – According to a survey released by MCI in Feb, 1/3 of youths surveyed play online games with strangers frequently, they also experience vulgarities, violent content and bullying online, but only 3 in 10 parents are fully aware of who their child is gaming with and the full extent of the child’s experience. Read more on 5 Tips for Protecting Your Kids Online.
On Mother’s Day, I woke up feeling the full impact of empty nest syndrome. I remember when my children were young, and my loving husband would be busy with them in the kitchen preparing brunch for me. It became a family tradition that my children would cook for me when they were in their teens. Those were the days! Today,…
The Changing Landscape of Child Safety. In the 80s, there used to be a popular Public Service Announcement to ask – It’s 10pm, do you know where your kids are? In those days, the danger was perceived to come from outside the home. These days, the question, I reckon should be changed to – The kids are home in their rooms, do you know what they are doing online?