Be Informed
Choose a topic to learn more about it, or explore the featured resources below.
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Talk to Kids About the Risks of Vaping
Youth vaping remains a public health concern. In 2022, the annual National Youth Tobacco Survey found that more than 2.5 million youth use e-cigarettes. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Many teens vape on a regular basis, and most choose flavored e-cigarettes. Many kids think vaping is harmless, but it can have serious health…
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3 Questions Linn County Middle School Students Ask about Marijuana
The Linn County Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program has provided substance use prevention classes in Linn County schools for over 20 years. We asked instructors Sarah Daniels and Shannon Snair to share common questions middle school students have about marijuana, and how to answer them. Is marijuana bad for my mental health? There is strong…
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3 Questions Linn County Middle School Students Ask About Alcohol
The Linn County Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program has been providing substance use prevention classes in Linn County schools for over 20 years. We asked instructors Sarah Daniels, Ashley LeFever, and Shannon Snair to share common questions middle school students have about alcohol — and how to answer them. Are energy drinks alcohol? No, energy…
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Emoji Drug Code Decoded
Emojis were originally designed to represent an emotion, event, or activity, but some have recently taken on a language of their own. Source: One Pill Can Kill campaign, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
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The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know
Did you know that big and important changes happen in the brain duringadolescence? Here are seven things to know about the teen brain. Source: National Institute of Mental Health
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Boston Children’s Digital Wellness Guide
A guide for helping kids build healthy and safe digital habits. Source: Boston Children’s We hear directly from youth that their lived reality is one of seamless environment with little distinction between their digital and non-digital experiences – making digital wellness a journey, not an end state. With technology constantly evolving, we understand that parents…
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Vaping Lingo Dictionary
This resource provides a list of popular products, as well as terms and phrases that young people may use to describe nicotine use. Source: Truth Initiative
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Reporting Suicidal Comments Made on Social Media
Sometimes on social media, we may come across a comment or post someone has made about the possibility of suicide. Whether it is made by a loved one, friend, or a complete stranger, it is important to take it seriously. Source: Helpline Center
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Technology Conversation Starters for Families of Tweens and Teens
This resource provides ideas and examples that parents and guardians can use to frame conversations around common scenarios involving technology, social media, and video games. Source: Center for Excellence, Social Media & Youth Mental Health, American Academy of Pediatrics and SAMHSA