Managing the Middle

Middle School is tough. These resources are designed to help parents navigate these years with their young people.

Self-Image
About one-third to one-half of adolescents struggle with low self-esteem. This issue is often exacerbated by social media, which can create unrealistic standards of beauty and success. Low self-esteem in… Read More
Big Questions
Teenagers often grapple with profound questions about identity, purpose, and belonging. For instance, 70% of teens report feeling pressure to figure out their future career paths, while 60% ponder their… Read More
Reading
Less than 20% of U.S. teens report reading a book, magazine, or newspaper daily for pleasure. This decline in reading for pleasure is concerning, especially as teens today spend more… Read More
Pornography Addiction
According to a recent survey, around 73% of teenagers have watched online pornography, with the average starting age being 12 years old. This early exposure can lead to addiction, which… Read More
Loneliness
Studies show that about 25% of teenagers globally report feeling “very lonely” or “fairly lonely”. This issue has been exacerbated by factors such as increased smartphone use and social media… Read More
Depression
Teen depression affects an estimated one in five adolescents, with symptoms manifesting differently from adult depression – often through irritability and anger rather than sadness. Studies show that depressed teens… Read More
Phone Use
Teenagers spend an average of 7–9 hours daily on their phones, according to Common Sense Media. Research indicates that excessive phone use is linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression,… Read More