Mouth Taping Might Not Work and Could Be Dangerous
What? “Mouth taping” is a new wellness trend popularized by social media influencers, such as Ashton Hall (who went viral this week for his nearly six-hour morning routine, which includes mouth taping), and celebrities, such as Gwyneth Paltrow. It involves placing a piece a specialist tape over your lips to keep your mouth sealed as you sleep.
So What? Influencers who have hopped on the mouth-taping bandwagon claim that it can change your life. Most say that it helps prevent “mouth breathing,” which increases risk of dental health problems. Others say it also mitigates snoring and sleep apnea, ensuring a better night’s sleep. But research hasn’t found conclusive evidence for any of these claims besides snoring. And experts say that if you have obstructive sleep apnea, it could even be dangerous.
Now What? If your teen is hoping that mouth taping will ensure a better night’s sleep, encourage them to try proven methods first. Reducing screentime in the hour before bed can help regulate your teen’s natural sleep rhythms. Creating a bedtime routine can also be helpful in the “winding down” process. And if your child is breathing through their mouth at night, consult a doctor before attempting mouth taping. It’s possible that they’re struggling with blocked nasal passageways, which wouldn’t be helped by mouth taping. It could also be caused by dental issues, such as teeth grinding, which could also require special treatment or care.
What Are All These Bed Parties on Social Media?
What? A “bed party” is the latest social media craze where, upon acceptance into college, parents are redecorating their teenager’s bedroom with bedding, clothing, décor and more, all themed around their child’s new school.
So What? If you’ve seen one of these bed parties on social media, then you know some parents can go a bit overboard with their enthusiastic decorating. And, of course, some teens might not get into their dream school, which can take a toll if they’re watching their friends and classmates hosting bed parties online.
Now What? Experts suggest that if you’re going to throw a bed party, don’t break the bank. Aim for things your teen will actually use once they get to college, such as a sweatshirt with the school’s name or dorm bedding in university colors. Keep in mind that your child may not even want a bed party, preferring to celebrate more privately. And if your teen is feeling vulnerable because they’re not going to the school they’d hoped, validate those feelings. Be a shoulder to cry on. And when the time is right, help your teen to figure out what their next steps will look like.
Esports Provide Positive Benefits to Young Gamers
What? Although video games have long been viewed as a medium that isolates children, turning them into rude, angry screen addicts, a new survey conducted by Prodigy (a game-based learning company) found that about half of all parents believe video games—particularly esports—have positively impacted their children’s mental health and social skills.
So What? In the study, parents reported that gaming helped their children develop skills in strategic thinking, problem-solving, decision-making under pressure, teamwork and communication. A full 1-in-3 parents believe esports could even help their child get a college scholarship. And many parents cited it as a more inclusive activity since players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy video games.
Now What? Like any sport or extracurricular activity, moderation is key. Just like practicing too much basketball could lead to injury or burnout, too much screentime could lead to screentime addiction or other adverse behaviors. But supporting your child’s interest in esports, even if you don’t fully understand the game yourself, could create an opportunity to bond. And even if your kid doesn’t go on to play esports professionally, they might be interested in other video-game adjacent careers, such as game development, software engineering or game design.
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“And even if your kid doesn’t go on to play esports professionally, they might be interested in other video-game adjacent careers, such as game development, software engineering or game design.”
I majored in Computer Science (intending to go into game design until I found out what the work conditions in a lot of major companies are actually like) and graduated with a degree in that, but my Digital Media courses, including level-design courses using the Unreal engine, were some of the most fun classes I had while at university. Some other fields, such as architectural rendering, sometimes also use these same software tools. It’s not an exact overlap between programming for a video-game company and designing a residential building, but these hobbies and interests might lead to unexpected positive opportunities.