Teenagers and Violent Video Games: Questions Following the Newtown Shooting

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Teenagers and Violent Video Games: Questions Following the Newtown Shooting
In the aftermath of the nation’s most tragic school shooting, many people across the nation are asking questions to try to understand how this could have happened and how events like this can be prevented in the future. The issues coming to light are age old debates such as gun control and school security, and the link between violent video games and aggressive behavior among teenagers and young people. Adam Lanza, the killer behind the horrific Newtown massacre, was an avid video gamer who played violent video games such as Call of Duty for hours. Do playing violent video games translate to real life violence? Research into this issue shows evidence supporting both sides of the argument.
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Newtown, Connecticut Shooting: Coping with traumatic events

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Today’s news of the tragic shooting at an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut has shocked the entire nation as once again a mass shooting has robbed youth of their lives for no apparent reason. What I know about this country is when tragedy strikes, the entire nation unites in support of families and victims of horrific events like these. Words cannot describe what the families of victims are going through and surely they will be in everyone’s prayers. School shootings are traumatic events for all involved. Survivors frequently struggle with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. An article written by Susan Donaldson James in 2009 for abcnews.com spoke with survivors, both students and teachers, of the Columbine shooting. 10 years later some survivors report that coping remains a struggle and certain triggers can unleash grief. The survivor interviewed in the article credits counseling with helping him grieve and learning to cope with what happened.
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Teenagers and Synthetic Marijuana (Spice, K2): What parents need to know

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Teenagers and Synthetic Marijuana (Spice, K2): What parents need to know
Recently released statistics released by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) shows that synthetic marijuana’s popularity among teenagers is on the rise. Unfortunately, the statistics reveal that teenagers are among its most popular users. Of the 11,406 people sent to the emergency room for synthetic marijuana in 2010, a third were between the ages of 12 and 17. A survey revealed that synthetic pot is the second most used drug among high school seniors, with 11.4% admitting to use.
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Untreated Issues in Adolescence Linger into Adulthood: Teen Dating Violence and Teen ADHD

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Two articles published today reinforce the notion that untreated issues in adolescent years linger into adulthood. The first article Teen Dating Violence Affects Well-Being in Adulthood published in USAtoday.com cites a new study that shows that teenagers who reported physical or psychological abuse from a relationship reported more drinking, smoking, drug abuse, depression, thoughts of suicide, and anti-social behaviors 5 years later. The study is hoping to raise awareness about this public health hazard and encourages parents, educators, and pediatricians to talk to teens about dating violence to quickly get help for those who need it.
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Medical Marijuana: Explaining Colorado’s new laws to your teenager

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Medical Marijuana: Explaining Colorado’s new laws to your teenager
This year’s presidential elections brought no change to the presidency but the local elections in Colorado and Washington State led to new laws that will legalize recreational use of marijuana. As a parent, it is important to understand the new rules and how they may apply to your family. News of marijuana legalization and the benefits of medical marijuana may give teenagers the “ammunition” they need to justify to themselves that smoking pot is okay and can even be good for you. So, let’s examine the issues, the new laws, and medical marijuana to give you the ammunition you need to dispel the notion that smoking marijuana is okay because certain states have legalized it.
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Teenagers, Football, & Concussions: The Jovan Belcher Tragedy

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Teenagers, Football, & Concussions: The Jovan Belcher Tragedy
Football is America’s favorite sport garnering national interest from nearly all levels of play; high school, college, and professional. The recent tragedy of Jovan Belcher’s murder-suicide leaves the nation once again asking if horrible heartbreaks like this can be prevented. The spotlight returns to a surprisingly unanswered question: does the physical nature of football, specifically repeated head injuries, lead to suicidal and horrific behavior?
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Teenagers and Bad Grades: Depression or Bad Behavior?

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Teenagers and Bad Grades: Depression or Bad Behavior?
Succeeding in high school is an important foundation for teenagers as they transition into early adulthood. It is important to stay informed about your teen’s performance at school by communicating with teachers, administrators, or guidance counselors. Talk to your teenager if report card grades fell below expectations. While a drop in grades could be as simple as your teenager struggling with a new subject or teacher, it could be a red flag for a variety of issues such as attention issues such as ADHD, depression, substance abuse, or bad behavior. Consider all factors to help your teen get back on track as soon as possible.
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Facebook, Twitter, Social Media and Teenagers

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Facebook, Twitter, Social Media and Teenagers
The rise of social media has transformed the way people around the world communicate, stay in touch, and learn. Much like social revolutions of the past young people such as teenagers are the most likely group to embrace change and pave the way for the future, while the rest of us struggle to keep up to the frantic pace of change. Today’s adolescents will have never know a world without Facebook or Twitter. On the other hand, adults are still playing catch up and reminiscing of simpler times. Social media platform such Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram bring with them exciting possibilities and potential dangers, especially for adolescents. The ability to stay involved in the life of a dear friend who has moved away through Facebook may lessen the emotional blow of having your friend move away. On the other hand, social media has created a new wave of privacy concerns that teens may overlook.
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Teenagers and Thanksgiving

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Teenagers and Thanksgiving
As adults we look forward to Thanksgiving in a way that most teenagers cannot really grasp.  We have so many obligations, sacrifices and responsibilities that a day of giving thanks and spending a nice time with our families can be something to look forward to all year!  You may have nice thoughts in your mind about your teenager wanting to spend time with his or her family, having fun doing it, and being involved in the preparations.  However, teenagers may see Thanksgiving as exactly what we are trying to get a break from – tedious obligations.  And trying to mold their emotions and behaviors to fit your ideal thanksgiving fantasy could turn into setting yourself up for a disappointing and frustrating thanksgiving.
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Divorce and Teenagers

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Divorce and Teenagers
Teenagers thrive in stable, safe and structured environments.  Life changing events such as the divorce of parents creates inevitable emotional and change-related pain.  To successfully cope with the divorce of parents teenagers should: Have a deep emotional understanding that the divorce was not their fault. Be allowed to mourn the loss of their old life. Be free to continue positive relationships with both parents while adjusting to a new stable, safe and structured environment.
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