Make sure your kids have the skills and strategies to deal with violent and distressing content in the media. — Key Points Social media is flooded with violence and carnage from the Hamas-Israel war. TikTok is kids’ go-to for information on current events, putting them at risk for misinformation and distress. Videos communicate emotion and social presence and can influence beliefs and attitudes. Digital literacy strategies can give kids the necessary skills…

Media management strategies to help you maintain well-being amid a flood of violence on social media — Key Points Social media is flooded with violence and carnage from the Hamas-Israel war. TikTok is a go-to source for world events putting users at risk for emotional distress and misinformation. Violent images trigger fight or flight, decrease cognitive scrutiny, and increase persuasive impact. Using media management strategies can protect your mental…

Ghosting has ripple effects for both sides that can undermine self-esteem and reinforce unhealthy relationship behaviors. — Key Takeaways Ghosting’s rise coincides with the popularity of online dating and mobile apps. Dating apps depersonalize users by increasing psychological distance and reducing empathy. Ghosting leaves people feeling abandoned, questioning their desirability, and grappling with uncertainty.

Parasocial relationships are emotional connections to celebrities that increase meaning and media enjoyment — Takeaways: Taylor Swift’s level of success attracts our curiosity even if we’re not a fan, Swifties feel deep emotional parasocial connections due to media’s “illusion of intimacy.” Feeling connected to artists and performers through fandom is a normal part of adolescence and identity development.

Here are 7 ways you can be an Upstander and combat bullying on and offline — Takeaways: Understanding the different kinds of bullying is the first step to recognizing and combating it. Empathy is an important skill to understand the experience of someone who has been bullied. Good communication and listening skills are at the heart of conflict resolution. Leading by example and standing up to…

Loneliness and desire for connection put people of all ages at risk of manipulation. — A recent article in the South China Morning Post reported that millions of middle-aged women in China fell victim to an online influencer offering the lure of romance with the nostalgia of times past. The 30-something Xiu Cai presented a much older image on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok)…

Key Points GirlMath is a popular TikTok trend, rationalizing spending purchases with irresponsible logic Mental accounting provides the theoretical logic for the human tendency to subjective value money #GirlMath glorifies irresponsible spending behaviors Even in jokes, labeling women as “girls” can undermine self-esteem & perpetuate stereotypes These memes can be greater conversation…

Digital literacy builds protective internal strengths no matter what technology kids use We worry about the impact of media on kids’ mental health. Why are we so fast to regulate and so slow to demand the one protective factor that might help? Whether it’s AI, social media, or video games…

Takeaways: Young Influencers don’t have any relevant experience understanding influence or managing fame Gen Z and Millennials relate more to Influencers than to traditional celebrities Parasocial attachment increases an Influencer’s persuasiveness because they feel like a friend This is not about parenting, it’s about digital literacy so kids are less…