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The Modern Teen

Inside the mind of the American teen

Suicide
"One Reason Why" Parents Should Worry about Teen Suicide

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on June 17, 2018

It doesn't matter if your child watches the show or not. Here's why children may be at risk, why they are so susceptible to popular media, and what you can do now.

It doesn't matter if your child watches the show or not. Here's why children may be at risk, why they are so susceptible to popular media, and what you can do now.

Child Development
Life with a Mentally Ill Parent

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on February 2, 2017

A riveting new book chronicles one woman's experiences with a mentally-ill parent, and offers remarkable inspiration for coping as an adult

A riveting new book chronicles one woman's experiences with a mentally-ill parent, and offers remarkable inspiration for coping as an adult

Health
If We Don't Ask, We'll Never Know

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on December 7, 2016

After a few minutes with a mental health professional, this is what parents are shocked to learn about their kids.

After a few minutes with a mental health professional, this is what parents are shocked to learn about their kids.

Child Development
How 6th Grade Predicts Your Future

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on June 7, 2015

Recent research reveals remarkably strong links between the way you got along with your peers in elementary school and a wide range of outcomes in adulthood.

Recent research reveals remarkably strong links between the way you got along with your peers in elementary school and a wide range of outcomes in adulthood.

Media
Don't Click! A Simple Solution to Save our American Girls

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on August 25, 2014

What if we banded together to stop the assault on our daughter's mental health? Every one of us has contributed to the horrible media messages that bombard American girls. But there is is one simple solution. Don't click! If for one month, no one clicked on internet stories that distorted girls' values about their self worth, then we would be sending a message to stop!

What if we banded together to stop the assault on our daughter's mental health? Every one of us has contributed to the horrible media messages that bombard American girls. But there is is one simple solution. Don't click! If for one month, no one clicked on internet stories that distorted girls' values about their self worth, then we would be sending a message to stop!

Therapy
Health
Is Your Child’s Therapy a Waste of Time?

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on May 15, 2014

You can rely on a pediatrician to offer treatment proven to work, but this is not the case for mental health providers. Parents need to ask questions, do their research, and select treatment that has been proven to work.

You can rely on a pediatrician to offer treatment proven to work, but this is not the case for mental health providers. Parents need to ask questions, do their research, and select treatment that has been proven to work.

Social Networking
Is iPhone Raising Your Child?

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on January 6, 2014

Social media changes how adolescents develop, and that has big implications when this generation enters adulthood. How is your child's development being affected by living in a social media world?

Social media changes how adolescents develop, and that has big implications when this generation enters adulthood. How is your child's development being affected by living in a social media world?

Social Networking
Growing Up Twitbook: Top 10 Predictions Of Life in 2024!

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on January 2, 2014

What will the world look like when it is run by people who never knew life without social media? A generation of adolescents is about to enter adulthood and change life for all of us!

What will the world look like when it is run by people who never knew life without social media? A generation of adolescents is about to enter adulthood and change life for all of us!

Guilt
Holiday Break or Holiday Breakdown? Coping With Your Kids

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on December 20, 2013

Is it OK if you are secretly dreading such an extended period of time with your family? How do you reduce conflicts, and reduce your guilt about wanting to have the kids go back to school?

Is it OK if you are secretly dreading such an extended period of time with your family? How do you reduce conflicts, and reduce your guilt about wanting to have the kids go back to school?

Adolescence
Hollywood: Not Too Different From High School?

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on September 12, 2011

What makes kids most popular in High School? What makes celebrities most popular in Hollywood? Some striking similarities and differences are revealed!

What makes kids most popular in High School? What makes celebrities most popular in Hollywood? Some striking similarities and differences are revealed!

Adolescence
NKOTB/BSB - Sign of Apocalypse or More Evidence that 11 Year Old Girls Rule Hollywood?

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on January 8, 2011

Enter the boy band. Or any other male prototype of a young, not sexually threatening, highly popular object of affection. This icon can serve many important psychological functions for the tween girl.

Enter the boy band. Or any other male prototype of a young, not sexually threatening, highly popular object of affection. This icon can serve many important psychological functions for the tween girl.

Depression
New Research Explains why Adolescents Self-Injure! by Joseph Franklin

Mitch Prinstein Ph.D. on November 16, 2010

What do you do when you’re stressed out? Talk to friends? Listen to music?  Chances are that you would not even think about doing something like, say, cutting your arm with a knife until you draw blood.

What do you do when you’re stressed out? Talk to friends? Listen to music?  Chances are that you would not even think about doing something like, say, cutting your arm with a knife until you draw blood.