For Parents and Caring Adults

For parents and adults who care for teens, technology has made life easier in some ways — and much more challenging in others. Mobile phones, iPads and other devices can help with communication and family life. On the other hand — literally in your hand! — these devices provide around-the-clock access to social media, sexting, cyber-bullying, unlimited information and “virtual” relationships with total strangers. They can make parenting and protecting a teenager a tough job. Here are some resources that might help.

Keep Connected uses a positive, strength-based approach to parenting. It focuses on what’s right with kids (and parents), emphasizing the small, everyday steps that parents can take to support their kids healthy development and be successful in the future.

Kids Health has information parents can trust about kids and teens. It is free of “doctor speak” and is one of the most visited websites for information about health, behavior and development, from birth through the teen years. The site has separate sections for Parents, Kids, Teens and Educators.

Power To Decide (formerly National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancy) provides resources for parents, champions and mentors. It helps prepare parents and trusted adults for conversations with young people about healthy relationships, love, sex, birth control and handling potentially risk-taking situations before they arise.

Talking with Kids About Tough Issues is a national initiative of Children Now and the Kaiser Family Foundation. It encourages parents to talk with their children earlier and more often about tough issues like sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, alcohol and drug abuse.

Ten Tips for Parents provides a quick list of prevention suggestions for parents of teens and pre-teens.