On the Radar: Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year, Protein Powder Obsessions and Social Media Holiday Scams
The dictionaries have all released their Words of the Year. Should teenagers even be using protein powders? What scams should families look out for this holiday season?
Episode 265: What Makes a Christmas Movie a Good Movie? Plus, ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’
Have you ever thought about why you love certain Christmas movies more than others? Plus, everything you need to know about Mufasa.
On the Radar: Top Social Media Apps Among Teens, Evangelical Social Media Use and the Superman Challenge
YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are the top social media apps among teens. Christian parents aren’t setting a good example for social media use. And kids should steer clear of the trending “Superman challenge.”
Key Takeaways from FX’s Docuseries ‘Social Studies’
‘Social Studies,’ a docuseries by Lauren Greenfield streaming on Hulu, explores the lives of teens who have never lived in a world without social media.
On the Radar: Teens’ Texting Habits, the TikTok Ban and ‘Brain Rot’
Knowing how your teen communicates via text may help you connect with them better. The TikTok ban was upheld by a federal appeals court. And ‘brain rot’ is Oxford’s Word of the Year.
On the Radar: Influencers Don’t Fact Check, Posting About Self-Harm Is Harmful and the Pink Tote Lid Trend
Two-thirds of social media influencers don’t fact check before posting. Teens with self-harm behaviors are more heavily influenced by social media posts about the topic. What is the “pink tote lid” trend?
On the Radar: Teen ‘Threat Alert,’ the Castor Oil Trend and Bluesky
Isolation raises “threat alert” in teens. The new castor oil trend perpetuates toxic diet culture. What do parents need to know about the social media app Bluesky?
What Teens (and Kids) Want for Christmas
Kids and teens are getting Christmas gift ideas from TikTok and YouTube. But that comes with a number of problems for parents.
On the Radar: Moldy Lunchly, Crashing Out and Tren
Check your Lunchly for mold before eating. Why Gen Z is “crashing out.” And what parents need to know about the steroid Tren.
Movie Monday: ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Keeps Twirling
It wasn’t a particularly exciting weekend at the box office. Venom: The Last Dance managed to keep its No. 1 spot. But the alien parasite took home an estimated $16.2 million in its third weekend theaters. But with no strong new challengers in theaters, even that relatively low number was good enough for the win. […]