Navigating AI as a Parent: How to Support Your Child’s Digital Well-being
Artificial intelligence (AI) is used ubiquitously today—from helping children complete their homework, to curating social media feeds, to suggesting what individuals should watch next on television. While AI can be a useful tool, have you ever wondered how it might influence your thoughts or feelings? More importantly, have you considered how being exposed to and …
Finding Credible Information
Originally posted May 15, 2023: https://thrive.psu.edu/blog/finding-credible-information/ Parents make multiple daily decisions that impact themselves and their family members. As a parent, you will likely want to use sound judgment and consider relevant and up-to-date information as you make positive and meaningful decisions for your family. However, the amount of information that is available through websites …
The Benefits of Positive Sleep Behaviors
Getting a suitable amount of sleep is an important part of everyone’s health. When you ensure your child is getting enough sleep, you are helping them to potentially better regulate their behaviors and emotions (Dadzie et al., 2024). Sleep-related behaviors, or actions and activities involved around sleep, can promote or inhibit sleep health (Meltzer et …
Why Parents Might Want to Consider an Extended “Dry January”
What is Dry January? Dry January is a public-health campaign that encourages individuals to abstain from consuming beer, wine, and spirits for the entire month of January. It began as a social initiative in the United Kingdom in 2012 and has gained global popularity with millions of individuals participating each year. The goals of initiating …
Helping Family Members Understand and Cope with a Parent’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Challenges
What is Post-traumatic stress disorder? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a shocking, distressing, or dangerous event. Individuals who are diagnosed with PTSD suffer from symptoms that last for longer than 1 month after the event has occurred, and these symptoms disrupt aspects of their daily lives, such …
Monitoring Children’s Social-Media Use
For adults and children, interacting with some form of social media has become a daily part of life. Therefore, parents need to stay well informed in order to ensure online safety for their children as they use social media and technology. Understanding how technology works, implementing safety features, and staying informed about and even getting …
Honoring Veterans with Family Traditions and Activities
With Veterans Day approaching on November 11, families have a unique opportunity to teach children about the importance of honoring those who served in the U.S. military. Educating children about Veterans Day can encourage a sense of gratitude, empathy, and respect and broaden children’s understanding of sacrifice and patriotism through meaningful family activities. Learn together …
Sweeten Their Future, Not Their Drinks
When considering a healthy diet for children, we often think about the food they eat, but we also need to think about the beverages they drink. While we may focus on food when planning a healthy diet, understanding that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), such as sodas and fruit juices, can significantly impact a child’s health and …
