ZEYNEP OKUR GUNER, PhD

Tweens and teens do not necessarily come forward and tell their parents that they are being bullied. This may seem puzzling to adults, but there can be several reasons for it. They may feel helpless, yet want to try dealing with the situation on their own in order to regain a sense of control and power. Alternatively, they may worry about being seen as weak or fear retaliation from the bully. This is why it is absolutely paramount that we know what signs to look for, so that

Bullying is a serious and persistent issue affecting children, tweens, and teenagers. Its impact can be profound, influencing young people’s emotional wellbeing, mental health, and development. Experiences of bullying are linked to anxiety, depression, lower academic achievement, and, in the most severe cases, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. What exactly is bullying? How can we tell the difference between bullying and everyday banter or conflict between friends? Teenagers do

As a parent, I feel rather proud of myself, thinking I do a good job monitoring our daughter’s comings and goings - and her digital footprint. Well… apparently, not so much anymore! This week I celebrated my birthday. On Sunday morning, our daughter asked to stay home instead of joining us for our weekly farmer’s market visit, a family ritual that we enjoy doing together. She said she wanted to stay home, read a book and relax. We said yes, although I was slightly disappointe