New Research on Sexting and Middle Schoolers

While some research has indicated a correlation between sexting and being sexually active or engaging in risky sexual behavior for high school students, little has been uncovered for the middle school age population.

Sexting, sending or receiving sexual explicit photos or texts, has been linked in some studies to multiple sexual partners, unprotected sexual activity and even other risky behaviors such as binge drinking in high school students. 

While debate continues to swirl on this issue, researchers are trying to determine if sexting is an alternative to physical sexual activity or a part of today’s sexual behavior with technology a mainstay in teens' lives.

Past studies have included both high school and middle school age students, but the younger group has not been isolated to determine what the link between sexting and sexual behavior is at this more impressionable age.

A group of researchers recently focused on the middle age group through a questionnaire and analysis of data gathered from a Los Angles middle school.  “Sexting and Sexual Behavior among Middle School Students” by Eric Rice, Jeremy Gibbs, Hailey Winetrobe, Harmony Rhoades, Aaron Plant, Jorge Montoya and Timothy Kordic, appeared in a recent issue of Pediatrics.

The findings supported earlier results that sexting and sexual behavior are tied together. According to the study, those who reported receiving a sext were six times more likely to report being sexually active and those who sent a sext were almost four times more likely to report being sexually active. “As has been found consistently with young adults and high school–aged adolescents, sexting and sexual activity go hand-in-hand,” the study says. 

Due to these results that support earlier conclusions, the authors believe pediatricians should begin discussing sexting with adolescents as this may prompt conversations regarding sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy prevention. The authors also feel sexting and associated risks should become part of middle school sex education.

As always, parents and adults of influence in teens’ lives can strive to combat risky behavior by discussing issues such as sexting.


Check back later this week as discuss apps

Helping Your Teen Develop a Healthy Body Image

In the digital age, our teens are constantly bombarded with messages that connect self-worth to body image.  Poor body image is a struggle for so many teens and can many times lead to dangerous thoughts, habits and behaviors.

As parents, there are many ways that we can help nurture a healthy body image in our kids and teens.  



Search deeper
Although it's important to affirm your teen's physical attractiveness, don't allow that to be the focus.  Genuinely compliment him/her in areas aside from physical attributes.  Praise their academic progress or success.  Compliment them on positive character traits that they exhibit - kindness, honesty, responsibility, generosity, compassion, etc. Point out their unique talents and abilities.


Replace lies with truth
"Like any life-controlling issue, a negative body image thrives on lies."  (Constance Rhodes).  Some of these lies include: we must look a certain way to be loved and looking "good" will bring happiness.  Help your teen recognize some of these lies that society conveys and combat them with the truth and healthy attitudes regarding this issue.  And, of course, affirm and communicate your unconditional love and acceptance!


Communicate
Talk AND listen to your teen.  Understand the way they feel about themselves by the way the talk about themselves.  Simple comments can reveal a lot about their self-esteem.  Also, be transparent with your teen about your own struggles and how you've overcome them or are working on them.  


Model a healthy body body image
This doesn't mean you have to have a flawless self-image or be free from struggle.  However, be vulnerable with your teen, but ban "fat talk" and discuss what you see and hear around you regarding body image.  Be sure to carefully monitor media influence.  So many types of magazines, TV shows and websites can contribute to poor body image.




*If your teen is dealing with dangerous body-image issues or eating disorders, they may need to talk with someone who can offer them professional help.  

A danger in your cabinet

Did you realize you might have prescription medication around your house that could be an issue of addiction and danger for your teen?! 1 in 5 teens has abused prescription pain relievers in their lifetime.

The University of Michigan did a new study that found, "10.4 % of the teens and young adults treated in the emergency room for any reason admitted to misusing a prescription painkiller or sedative at least once in the last year." These findings include taking drugs prescribed to someone else, taking more 
than the prescribed dosage, or simply taking them to get high. source


In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that 100 deaths per day, and around 700,000 emergency department (ED) visits per year, result from prescription drug overdoses. source


Why are teens doing this?

• 12 reasons teens use RX drugs: 

62%: Easy to get from parent's medicine cabinets

52%: Available everywhere

51%: They are not illegal drugs

50%: Easy to get through other people's prescriptions

49%: Can claim to have prescription if caught

43%: They are cheap

35%: Safer to use than illegal drugs

33%: Less shame attached to using

32%: Easy to purchase over the internet

32%: Fewer side effects than street drugs

25%: Can be used as study aids

21%: Parents don't care as much if caught

Where are teens getting prescription medicine?

• "65 percent of teens are getting them from friends, family and acquaintances. Some teens share Rx medicines among themselves handing out or selling their own pills or those they’ve acquired or stolen from classmates."  source

What are the risks?

• The are several obvious risks which have short and long-term effects.  Some of these include: dependency, addiction, overdosing and mixing Rx medicine with over-the counter medicine and/or alcohol.

Obviously, this is a very serious and growing concern.  It's important to be informed, understand the signs, risks and communicate with teens about this issue.

For those who are local to Northwest Indiana, you can check here for local prescription drug drop-off locations so that unused medication does not get into the wrong hands. 

Want to learn more? Go to www.pathblazer.org/ATIC2014 

Is your teen stressed out: Teens and Stress

Is your teen stressed out? It would seem that because most teenagers don't have the pressures of bills, careers, and raising families that they would't be faced with much stress.  This isn't necessarily true.

Did you know that stress in teens is as common as it is in adults?!  Stress in teens can be a very serious problem.  According to reports, "Inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness or poor coping skills such as drug and alcohol use." (source)

Sadly, stories like that of Madison Holleran, a 19 year old Penn State student that committed suicide from the pressure of stress about grades and sports is not uncommon  (source)

Sources of stress in teens:

• physical changes in their body
• parents’ divorce 
• death of a loved one
• moving/changing schools
• chronic illness
• financial problems in family
• having too high expectations for themselves or by parents 
• taking on too many activities 
• relationship issues
• possibly having become a young parent
• peer pressure

Be sure to look for signs of stress in your teen:

"The years as a teenager are a high-risk time for depression. Intense stress is often seen as a trigger. Possible signs of chronic stress include: upset stomach, headache, insomnia, avoiding other people, crying, irritable reactions and eating too much or too little." (source)

Try to help your teen manage their stress by:

• maintaining positive friendships
• getting enough sleep 
• avoiding caffeine
• getting regular physical activity
• eating regular healthy meals
• avoiding illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• decreasing negative self-talk
• taking regular breaks (from stressful situations/activities)

If you are local and want to learn more about teens and stress, you won't want to miss this:

American Teens in Crisis 2014

Teens Under Stress

American Teens in Crisis: Teens Under Stress is focusing this year's efforts to empower adults in coping with the current teen issues, improving communication and increasing commitment to today's youth. 

Get more information and register here.

The Most Important Back to School Tools

Once again, summer flew by and it's time for school again for most.  Back to school time can be met with mixed emotions for young people. It may be a positive change for some as a chance to see many of their friends again, be involved in some of their favorite activities, and get into the routine.

Yet, there are a lot of young people who dread the thought of walking through those doors again in the fall for various reasons.  For many kids and teens, they may even get physically sick from the anxiety it brings.

Some of the things that may be viewed negatively may be as simple as getting out of bed earlier and having homework to more serious issues like bullying, peer pressure, social anxiety (or not feeling  accepted), not having enough money to keep up with the latest trends or having major difficulty keeping up academically.  Some young people my express their anxiety and fears regarding these issues, but some may keep it to themselves.

So while its important to fill all the supply lists and get them the pencils and notebooks they need, the most important back to school tools parents can give their teens is a little extra time and effort helping them gain the tools that could make their school year much more successful.

Following are some suggestions for helping the year be a little less intimidating and a possibly a bit more successful:

* Assurance- assuring your child that their family loves them no matter what
* Encouragement - building self esteem with affirming words and actions
* Training - helping your child re-adjust to a routine before the first day of school
* Balance-helping the child maintain a balance between work and  "play"
* Character building - helping the child to develop new habits and positive responses to 
   challenges with people and situations

Enjoy the last few days of summer as you all gear up for another school year!