Teens

Generation Z thrives on a constant stream of communication through their mobile devices. Subsequently, they have developed their own slang words made up of acronyms and phrases to describe their interactions with the world. Parents almost need to be bilingual to understand it. Check out this list of popular terms, sorted based on their level of concern for a parent. ...

On the latest episode of aParently Speaking, host Miriam Conner and Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra discuss how electronics are shaping our kids' development and lives, as well as what to do about technology addiction and cyberbullying. If you have screens in your home, you won’t want to miss this episode. ...

Social media is one of the primary ways centennials communicate with their peers, local businesses and the global community. It is almost inevitable that your children will ask to create accounts on major social media platforms as they enter adolescence. The question of when they should be allowed to join social media is tricky. No parent wants to see their child left behind, but social media presents a whole new set of challenges. Learn how you and your child can take a safe approach to entering the world of social media.  ...

Wearing a mask is our new normal, but as we cover our mouths and noses to stop COVID-19, some of us are uncovering a new problem — “maskne,” or mask-related acne. Learn expert tips for how to prevent this condition. ...

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If you’ve got a teen or preteen at home, you may be feeling confused or concerned about the ups and downs of their emotions and behavioral changes. Mix in a global pandemic and you may see increased stress and tension levels from your teens as they navigate changes to their routine, while having limited access to coping strategies such as seeing friends or doing extracurricular activities.  ...

Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions, prolongations, or abnormal stoppages of sounds and syllables. FACEtime is a program designed for older children and young teens who stutter and want to communicate more fluently and confidently. ...

Today, with the popularity of earbuds and other personal listening devices, it’s hard to know if your child or teenager is listening to music at a safe level. Hearing loss caused by loud sound, also known as noise-induced hearing loss, is permanent — but fortunately, it also is 100% preventable. ...

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Now that school is over — and despite the recent reopening of businesses in the state — typical summer hotspots will be limited. Parents need to help their tweens and teens transition into this new summer break routine — one that doesn’t include self-isolating in their room. ...