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TAGGED : teen outreach

Finding moderation online

Q. You might think this isn’t from a teen, but I really am 16. And my mom didn’t tell me to ask you! I think I’m spending too much time online. I feel like it’s a rabbit hole I sink into, going from one You Tube video to Tik Tok to another You Tube video to Insta and then I start all ...

Adults share memories of puberty

Last week’s column about periods inspired comments. Here are a few: Comment 1: I so appreciated your column about periods. I’m nearly 69 and I still remember my confusion and embarrassment when I started my period at school in 6th grade. I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me. I ...

Mom anxious about young teen taking hormones

Q. I have a problem. Since my periods started two years ago, they’ve gotten worse and worse. My cramps are often unbearable. I’m in a lot of pain at least 3-4 days each cycle. I told my pediatrician at my yearly exam and she suggested to my mom that she take me to a gynecologist. My mom got ...

Easing anxiety of test-taking

Q. I’m freaking out. April’s coming, I’m nervous about PSSA tests. I hate them. They’re long. You can’t study for them, not really. And everything – I mean everything – rides on them. I want to go to college. My mom always tells me how proud she is of me. She didn’t get to go to ...

Addressing toxicity in online gaming sites

Author’s note: This column is a followup to last week’s Ask Mary Jo, where a father brought to my attention the toxic masculinity environment on some video gaming sites. After speaking with teens in our programs and at our Common Ground Teen Center, I concluded more research into the topic ...

Honor trust of child abuse survivors

Q. I have a serious question. I’ve been with my girlfriend for a little over 6 months. She just told me she was sexually abused when she was 10. At first, I was shocked. I’ve never known anyone who lived through something like that, although I know it can happen. I am so glad she told me. ...