More than 90 percent of teenagers in the U.S. have a smartphone. Access to this type of technology and social networking changes the playing field for young people who are simultaneously developing a sense of identity and new social relationships. [Read more…]
Why Youth Need Strong Relationships with Teachers
September 6, 2021 By Leave a Comment
The past two school years have been extremely challenging – and even traumatic – for youth across the globe. In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the vast majority of students throughout the U.S. to switch to virtual learning. Many suffered academically without in-person contact with their teachers and emotionally without contact with their peers. In addition, the pandemic was a traumatic event for many students, especially if their loved ones became ill or died, or family members’ work was impacted by pandemic shutdowns. [Read more…]
Why Cross-Ethnic Friendships Are Good for Kids
August 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
It’s well established that friendships are important influences on youth. Studies show that peers affect teens’ body image, physical activity levels, likelihood of smoking, and much more. A growing field of research demonstrates that the race and ethnicity of friends matter too.
For starters, there is a large body of evidence that shows that face-to-face interactions between members of different racial groups reduces prejudice. In other words, when you personally interact with someone from a different racial or ethnic group, you’re more likely to approach other people from that group with an open mind. [Read more…]
What We Know About Opioids and Child Mistreatment
August 20, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Opioid use has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data show the use of fentanyl and methamphetamine climbed steeply in 2020 and drug overdose deaths jumped by 18% last year.
The opioid epidemic has serious consequences for millions of Americans. Opioid misuse increases the risk of illness from COVID-19 and leads to long-term consequences for mental and physical health. People who misuse illegal substances are more likely to experience job loss, interpersonal violence, and become involved in criminal activity. [Read more…]
What We Don’t Know About Kids and Screen Time
June 7, 2021 By Leave a Comment
At Evidence-based Living, we have covered the topic of kids and screen time fairly extensively. Up until now, a body of evidence on the topic has demonstrated that too much time on screens – and specifically “low-quality” screen time, such as binge-watching television shows or playing video games – is associated with poorer educational outcomes, behavioral problems and worse mental and physical health. [Read more…]
Quarantine Side Effect: Nearsightedness in Kids
May 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Most kids in the U.S. have spent more time on screens during the COVID-19 pandemic for a myriad for reasons: to complete schoolwork virtually, stay occupied while parents worked at home and maintain connections with friends and family members. [Read more…]
This Parenting Style Is Proven to Build Independence
April 5, 2021 By Leave a Comment
As a parent, it can be useful to understand which parenting style comes naturally to you, as well as the pros and cons of each style. But there is one parenting style you may not have heard of, one that researchers have found supports psychological health, academic achievement, and positive attitudes toward school. [Read more…]
Kids These Day: How Youth Behavior Stacks Up
December 5, 2020 By Leave a Comment
If you haven’t said it yourself, you’ve certainly heard other utter the statement that typically begins with “Kids these days…” and describes some deficiency of modern youth. Usually it’s said with a lofty tone that suggests today’s young people are less responsible and well-behaved compared to previous generations. [Read more…]
How to Get Kids to Change Their Behavior for the Better
October 29, 2020 By Leave a Comment
When trying to convince someone to take action, our words matter – even more so when talking to a young person.
If you have ever parented a child or worked with youth, you have likely witnessed that lectures rarely lead to whole-hearted behavior change, even when the lecturer has the best intentions. So, what’s the best way to encourage behavior change in young people, especially when there is a serious health problem at hand? [Read more…]
How to Offer Mental Health Interventions in School
August 17, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Approximately one in six youth ages six to seventeen in the U.S. have a mental illness; depression, anxiety and behavior disorders are among the most common. Data suggest that youth today are five times more likely to experience mental health problems compared to decades past. Today, the uncertainty that comes along with the COVID-19 pandemic is certainly detracting from students’ mental health and well-being. [Read more…]
The Silver Lining of Virtual Learning During COVID-19
August 7, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Children are heading back to school this month in many states across the nation. In most school districts, this is the first time that kids have been inside school buildings since COVID-19 spread across the U.S. in March. [Read more…]
What We Know About Summer Learning Loss: An Update
July 6, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Kids in the U.S. are well into the lazy days of summer.
Summer vacation – and in some cases, distance learning that felt like summer vacation! – started early this year for many youths when schools closed to slow the spread of the corona virus. For most kids, summer vacation marks a time when they are less engaged in educational pursuits like reading, math and problem solving. And with camps and day cares closed in many parts of the country, more kids than ever are spending extra time at home, and likely in front of screens. [Read more…]
