Category: Well-Being

A frequent social media joke pokes fun at how people today blink their eyes in wonder when they finally step outside. Modern folks spend too much time on screens, and it’s children who suffer most of all from our changing lifestyle. All this technology hasn’t freed us — quite the opposite — and many kids grow up never encountering true wilderness.

The trend stops with your children. Here’s why kids need to play more outside and how to get them off their screens and into the wilderness. Even if this wilderness is you own back yard.

It Benefits Their Mental Health

There’s a mental health crisis in America, and the young are not immune. If anything, they’re hit harder than ever. One in six kids between the ages of 2 to 8 have a diagnosed mental or behavioral disorder, and diagnoses of concerns like anxiety and depression get more common as kids get older.

Studies show that spending 120 minutes in a natural setting each week — just two short hours — has significant mental health benefits.

Spending time outdoors benefits your child’s mental health in the following ways.

1. Develop Agency

Agency, a sense that your actions can create positive change, is crucial to mental health. Without it, your child might feel like external controls dictate their life, and they are powerless to influence the outcome.

Most of a child’s life is controlled by adults. However, free outdoor play lets them become anything they desire, if only in their imagination. They’re free to make up the rules to their games and do whatever their creativity drives them, creating a sense of agency along the way.

2. Relieve Stress

Kids aren’t immune to stress, which can impact their physiology much like adults. Multiple studies have shown a link between a traumatic childhood and increased chronic illness as adults. That’s because stress throws multiple body systems out of whack, including your nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and digestive systems. Gazing at natural scenes can lower stress levels — immersing yourself is even better.

3. Ease Depression

Sunshine is a natural antidepressant. The next time your child feels down, go outside on a sunny day and take a brisk walk together — even for two to three minutes. You can both feel the boost.

It Improves Their Physical Hardiness

Physical fitness matters. It makes it easier to weather life’s storms and survive invariable mishaps. For example, you probably want your little one to learn to swim before taking off on a canoeing adventure, but physical fitness can help them in other scenarios, too.

Active, outdoor play improves physical agility and strength. It also combats the childhood obesity epidemic and creates a healthy love of exercise kids can carry for life.

It Teaches Them Real-Life Skills

Heading outside with your kids gives you the chance to pass on some skills or learn something new together. Whether you go to your own backyard, visit a community garden or travel to a playground, being in nature opens up plenty of learning opportunities.

Playing outside can teach your kids the skills they need to feel confident in their ability to thrive. Consider these activities:

• Gardening: Learning how to grow and preserve your own food is fabulous for developing agency. Younger kids can learn about plant life cycles and how a seed becomes a sprout then a plant.

• Building: Playing outside creates space for older children to learn carpentry, how to repair simple machines, or change oil and tires — life skills that matter. Younger kids can interact with blocks or sand outside to start developing these skills.

• Caring for nature: Time outdoors teaches kids how to live in harmony with nature and to use its resources respectfully. Whether you head out to your backyard oasis, or journey on the path and off the grass at your local park, you’re teaching your kids how to love our planet.

It Connects Them to What Really Matters

It’s easy to lose sight of what really matters in today’s world. Increasing work demands coupled with childcare leave many parents scrambling.

Spending time outdoors with your children creates space to nurture your relationship. You and your child can look back and fondly remember the time you took an entire afternoon to find cloud animals with them and pick buttercups at the playground.

You can’t put a price tag on human connection, but it makes up much of the glue that keeps us going through life’s challenges. Teach your children to cherish nature and time together by turning off the distracting gadgets and spending time outdoors to simply be.

Why Kids Need to Play Outside More

People today spend far too much time on screens. Children aren’t immune, and addiction to gadgets can stifle them developmentally and leave them at risk of mental health problems.

Consider these reasons kids need to play outside more and get yours off the screen and into the wild. Spend a few hours in nature together this weekend, and watch your moods improve and bond grow stronger!

About the Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for her children or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen!

Community development is a complex field that requires knowledge and understanding of many different areas. Sociology can be incorporated into community development to promote community cohesion and well-being. Today, we will explore how sociology helps inform community development by addressing various issues.

These include poverty, inequality, power structures, decision-making processes, and collective action. It will also look closely at sociologists’ role in advocating for social justice within communities — locally and globally.

By delving into this issue from a sociological perspective, we will gain insight into strategies that can help us develop stronger relationships between people living in local neighborhoods or across regions worldwide.

Explanation Of The Concept Of Social Cohesion and Its Importance For Communities

Expert Amy Wilkins in Longmont, CO, says social cohesion refers to a community’s unity and sense of togetherness. A community can be a group of people who live in the same area or share common values and interests. It is characterized by a shared sense of belonging, mutual trust, and a willingness to work towards common goals. Social cohesion is essential for building strong communities because it fosters a sense of solidarity and promotes social inclusion.

When people feel connected and valued by their community, they are more likely to participate in community activities, engage in civic life, and support each other during difficult times. Therefore, communities must prioritize social cohesion as a foundation for promoting social well-being and resilience.

Identifying Key Factors That Create Strong Social Bonds In A Community

Tightly-knit and resilient communities often have strong social bonds between members. But what creates these bonds? It turns out there are several key factors. One of the most important is a shared sense of identity and purpose – when a community has a vital common goal, it helps to bring people together and create a sense of belonging. Regular social interactions and activities, such as community events and gatherings, also play an essential role.

Trust between members is crucial for building strong social bonds. When people feel they can rely on their neighbors and community members, they are more likely to form enduring connections. In short, a sense of purpose, social interactions, and trust are critical ingredients for creating strong social bonds within a community.

Strategies To Foster Inclusive Dialogue And Cooperation Between Citizens

In today’s polarized political climate, finding common ground and creating meaningful dialogue between citizens with differing opinions and beliefs can be challenging. However, fostering inclusive dialogue and cooperation is more critical than ever before. One strategy is to create safe spaces for conversations and encourage active listening. By genuinely hearing each other’s perspectives and respectfully sharing our own, we can build mutual understanding and find areas of agreement.

Promoting diversity and inclusion within our communities can help ensure all voices are heard and valued. Through intentional efforts and a willingness to engage with each other, we can bridge divides and work towards a brighter future for all citizens.

Examples Of Successful Initiatives That Have Achieved Social Cohesion In A Variety Of Contexts

Social cohesion is vital to any community, and successful initiatives that foster this cohesion are invaluable. Such initiatives can take many forms, depending on the context, but their goal is to unite people. For example, in the United States, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a focus on empowering BIPOC communities have significantly promoted racial unity.

In Germany, a “Meet Up!” project has successfully integrated refugees into society by pairing them up with locals. In India, the “Anaadi Foundation” brings together children from different caste backgrounds and provides them with learning opportunities. These initiatives show us that we all share a common desire for unity regardless of our cultural environment.

The Role Of Government In Promoting Social Cohesion And Well-Being

Amy Wilkins says the role of government in promoting social cohesion and well-being is critical to the success of any society. Governments have the power to create policies and implement measures that foster a sense of community and ensure that all members of society have access to essential services and opportunities. By promoting social cohesion, governments can strengthen individual bonds, mitigate conflict and increase community cooperation. This, in turn, can lead to enhanced well-being as individuals feel more connected and supported by their society.

Whether it’s providing access to healthcare, education, or employment opportunities, the role of government in promoting social cohesion and well-being is paramount. It is clear that without government intervention, these essential services are often not available to everyone, leading to a breakdown of social cohesion and weakened well-being. Therefore, governments must prioritize policies that promote equality, opportunity, and equity for all members of society.

Evaluation Of Current Programs For Community Development Through An Applied Sociology Lens

Community development is a topic that has gained a lot of attention in recent years due to its impact on the social and economic growth of various societies. Applied sociology offers a unique lens to evaluate current community development programs, allowing for a deeper understanding of the underlying social processes and power dynamics. When evaluated using this approach, programs can be assessed regarding their effectiveness and potential impact on the communities they serve.

This critical analysis helps identify which programs are working and which need improvement. Through a sociological perspective, key issues such as social inequality, community cohesion, and public participation can be identified and addressed, leading to better outcomes for the communities in question.

Conclusion

Applying sociology to community development is essential for cultivating social cohesion and achieving successful outcomes. It enables us to understand distinct populations’ unique needs, values, and perspectives, identify structural and institutional barriers that impede progress, foster inclusive dialogue between citizens, and create effective strategies for promoting well-being.

It is clear from the evidence presented in this blog post that communities can benefit substantially when governments prioritize their collective welfare by recognizing and responding to local concerns.

From understanding collective identities to inspiring collaboration through public engagement, sociology allows us to address social inequalities while developing a shared sense of purpose. By recognizing these dynamics, we can create sustainable initiatives for social transformation that will strengthen the resilience of our communities over time.

TikTok has been in the news off and on these past couple of years. Mainly, the discussion keeps coming back to the issue of harvesting of user data. It’s possible that the Chinese government could access sensitive user information on devices where TikTok is installed.

As a result, the US Federal Government has banned the use of the app on all government devices and the State of Montana even passed legislation implementing a total ban on TikTok for its residents.

Although the privacy concerns are alarming, TikTok has also been in the news for its devastating effects on the mental health of its users, especially teens, and preteens who use the app for multiple hours per day. It’s highly addictive even for adults due to the constant barrage of short relevant and interesting videos catered for each individual user.

There are still many studies being done on the effects of social media on the mental health of teens and preteens.  However, one of the biggest mental health problems concerning social media, and specifically TikTok, is a result of cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is a major problem across all social media platforms, including TikTok. It’s estimated that there is a 64% chance that a TikTok user under the age of 18 will experience cyberbullying on the app. That is quite an alarming statistic given that roughly 32.5% of all TikTok users are between the ages of 10 and 19.

So, what exactly is cyberbullying and what does it look like on TikTok? Let’s answer these questions as well as discuss some of the ways to recognize if your child is being bullied online and what you can do to ensure their emotional safety.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is a behavior that consists of repeated and intentional posting of photos, information, and/or rumors and lies about another person on social media and other online platforms. The posts can consist of live streams, videos, photos, text, and direct messages that are intended to be offensive and inflict psychological harm on an individual.

Victims of cyberbullying can often feel anxious, angry, depressed, embarrassed, scared, and sad. Additionally, victims of cyberbullying can receive threats to their safety and be the target of physical attacks.

All of these factors can be extremely damaging to an individual, especially an adolescent during their physical, emotional, and psychological development. The damage can be so great that adolescent suicides linked to cyberbullying have become a major concern. Teen online therapy is an excellent option for addressing the emotional challenges caused by cyberbullying, providing a safe space for teens to talk about their experiences.

According to an NIH-funded study of 10,000 adolescents, the participants who experienced cyberbullying in their lives were four times as likely to also report suicidal thoughts.

The worst part of cyberbullying is that a cyber-bully can send and share images, videos, and texts without ever physically facing the other person. The digital aspect of cyberbullying in a way removes the human aspect from the equation making cyberbullying incredibly easy to do for a bully who doesn’t need to witness or experience firsthand the consequences of the online abuse.

What does cyberbullying look like on TikTok?

Cyberbullying on TikTok can come in many forms. Whether it’s intimidation, verbal abuse, blackmail, or another type of cyberbullying, TikTok can be dangerous to children if certain precautions are not taken.

Additionally, cyberbullying not only can come from peers like other children from school or the neighborhood, but it can also come from strangers of any age from anywhere in the world. It is scary to think that an adult male in another country could be verbally abusing your teenage daughter and causing her to feel anxious or depressed about her looks.

The most common form of cyberbullying on TikTok comes from users commenting on content. When a person uploads a video onto the platform, users can leave comments. Although those comments can come with praise and support, often those comments can be mean, hurtful, and even dark. Negative comments about how someone looks or acts can be psychologically damaging, especially for people who are younger and may already suffer more from self-esteem and emotional issues.

Another form of cyberbullying on TikTok includes uploading pictures or videos of victims being abused in person. Bullies can live-stream or record a video of them verbally abusing and even physically assaulting another person for others to watch and participate in by leaving hurtful comments and spreading the content. When live-streamed, this form of bullying can be extremely dangerous as often adolescents can be motivated to take things too far when they are being egged on.

Lastly, some forms of cyberbullying on TikTok can be extremely harmful and take abuse to a whole new level. The same ways that cybercriminals use tactics such as social engineering, which has been one of the biggest cybersecurity-related risks in the past year, to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims can be used to gain the trust of your child to obtain personal information from them.

Information such as where they live, how old they are, where they go to school, or what their sexual orientation may be, can be used to bully, intimidate, or blackmail your child to do things they don’t want to do, or worse yet, actually put them in danger of kidnapping or sexual assault. Sexual predators may be able to “groom” your child for sexual abuse through TikTok by posing as someone of a similar age, with similar interests, or pose as someone they may admire.

What signs should you look for to recognize if your child is being bullied online?

The signs that your child may be suffering from cyberbullying on TikTok are similar to the signs you may see if they were suffering from any other type of bullying. They may seem more anxious, agitated, depressed, or sad, and essentially, they may not act like themselves. They can also seem avoidant and no longer interested in things that they normally love to do including spending time on TikTok, playing sports, and participating in other after-school activities.

Additionally, your child could make some comments about how they are feeling or that they are having problems with someone on TikTok which could be very revealing. Make sure to always listen to your child and read between the lines to help determine if they are hiding something from you such as being bullied online.

Also, if you know your child is using TikTok to create content, you may want to have your account so you can review comments that other users are making. As discussed before, the most common type of bullying that occurs on TikTok is through hurtful negative comments filled with insults, derogatory terms, and threats. By creating your account, you can actively see who is commenting on your child’s content and what they are saying.

What can you do if your child is being bullied on TikTok?

If your child is being bullied on TikTok, you may think the easiest thing to do is just delete the app. However, that is not always possible, especially if your child wants to continue to create content and participate in the TikTok community.

The best way to address cyberbullying on TikTok without deleting the app is to make the account private. If your child is under the age of 16, then the account should already be private, however, sometimes children lie about their age. Either way, by making a TikTok account private, your child will only receive direct messages from people they know.

With a private account, you can approve or deny follower requests as well as manage who is allowed to comment on your content. You can even use a comment filter to automatically filter out comments containing specific keywords that you indicate as offensive.

After you make your child’s TikTok account private, another thing you can do to help protect your child from cyberbullying on TikTok and other platforms is to install and use parental monitoring apps. There are many parental monitoring apps available that allow you to monitor who your child is talking to on social media, and what is being said, while even allowing you to create a list of trigger words that will send you a notification anytime your child sends or receives a message containing one of those words.

Lastly, if you suspect your child is being bullied on TikTok, it is time to open up the lines of communication to help them through this tough situation before it spirals out of control and lasting emotional and psychological damage is done.

About the Author:
Ryan Harris is a copywriter focused on eLearning and the digital transitions going on in the education realm. Before turning to writing full time, Ryan worked for five years as a teacher in Tulsa and then spent six years overseeing product development at many successful Edtech companies, including 2U, EPAM, and NovoEd.

With the mass adoption of technology and screens, it can be a challenge to encourage children to engage in outdoor play. Thankfully, there are numerous creative ways to get your little ones outside and help them develop an appreciation for nature while participating in fun activities.

By implementing activities that foster creativity, initiative, and teamwork, you, as parents, can make outdoor play just as enticing as their favorite video games or television shows.

Ideas to Inspire Your Kids to Play Outside

With some planning and inspiration, your kids will soon discover the endless wonders the great outdoors has to offer. Here are 10 fun ways to encourage your children to play outside.

1. Create an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

An outdoor scavenger hunt is an amazing way to keep your kids entertained and engaged with their environment. By crafting a list of nature-related items to find, such as leaves, acorns, or colorful rocks, you’ll encourage exploration and ignite their sense of adventure.

To make it even more exciting, consider incorporating small rewards for collecting specific treasures or finishing the hunt within a certain time frame. This activity not only sparks curiosity but also promotes problem-solving skills and creates wonderful memories for your little ones.

2. Build a Vegetable Garden Together

Working on a vegetable garden with your children provides numerous benefits, such as teaching sustainability, promoting healthy eating habits, and offering valuable bonding time. Planting seeds and watching them grow is an engaging and educational activity for kids to partake in.

Get your children excited about gardening by involving them in the selection of their favorite vegetables to plant. You can even start small by planting flowers. Through this hands-on approach, you’ll not only help develop their green thumb but also create lasting memories.

Planting grass seeds is another fun gardening activity, as children can watch the grass grow and enjoy playing on their patch of green. From different types of zoysia grass to drought-resistant fescue, you can choose from a variety of seeds that suit your region and climate. Simply follow the instructions on the seed packets and allow your kids to take ownership of their grass-growing project.

3. Bring What They Like to Do Inside to the Outside

To gently transition your child from indoor activities to outdoor play, consider incorporating their indoor hobbies into an outside environment. For instance, if your child enjoys drawing or painting, set up an outdoor space for them to create art using sidewalk chalk or watercolors.

Or if your child is glued to your screen, you could use something like Carrots&Cake. This screen time app/solution encourages children to prioritize education and limits smartphone use. Once you get your kids outside, you can slowly limit their screen time and replace it with outdoor play.

4. Plan Themed Outdoor Playdates With Friends

Themed outdoor playdates are an excellent way to make playtime even more enjoyable and engaging for your children and their friends. By organizing events with specific themes, such as an Olympic-style sports day, you’ll keep their interests piqued while promoting teamwork.

These playdates are opportunities for kids to get active outdoors, learn about collaboration, and create lasting memories with their peers–all while having a blast in the process.

If your children aren’t getting a lot of social interaction, playdates become especially necessary and important. Incorporating fun elements like gaga ball pits can elevate the excitement, providing a unique and interactive way for kids to play together while honing their agility and strategy skills.

5. Invest in Outdoor Toys That Encourage Physical Activity

One way to motivate your kids to play outdoors is by providing toys specifically designed to promote physical exercise and develop coordination skills. Team sports can even promote positive mental health, so consider inviting your child’s friends over for some play.

Consider investing in outdoor equipment like basketball hoops or soccer goals, which not only offer endless hours of entertainment but also help foster a healthy and active lifestyle. By incorporating these toys, you’re supporting their physical development and overall health.

6. Set Up Regular Family Nature Outings

Scheduling regular family nature outings is a fantastic way to encourage your children to appreciate the outdoors, explore local flora and fauna, and create cherished memories. Family nature outings are especially fun for small children who can’t explore by themselves.

Activities such as nature walks, or hikes can serve as bonding experiences, sparking curiosity about the natural world around them. Family outings in nature also promote conversation during exploration, facilitating connection among family members and fostering a love of the outdoors.

7. Create DIY Bird Feeders and Watch Wildlife

Encourage your children’s creativity and love for wildlife observation by helping them create simple DIY bird feeders using recyclable materials. By placing these homemade feeders around your yard, you’ll attract a variety of birds for the whole family to watch and admire.

This not only exposes your little ones to the joy of caring for backyard wildlife but also nurtures their appreciation for nature. It’s also a great way to get your children interested in birds and other wildlife so long as you spark discussions about different species and their characteristics.

8. Support Incorporate Water Play on Hot Days

Image by vecstock on Freepik

On hot summer days, it’s important to bring exciting and refreshing water-based activities to your children’s outdoor playtime. Through simple tools such as water balloons, squirt guns, or sprinklers, you’ll provide fun ways for them to cool down while remaining active and engaged.

Incorporating water games into your child’s outdoor routine can add a lot of variety to outdoor playtime, particularly for pre-teens. It can also encourage essential motor skills development and cooperation among friends, all while making wonderful summertime memories.

9. Build a Fort, Treehouse, or Den

There’s rarely something more fun than building a fort in Minecraft, but technology has its time and place. Instead of taking your building to the virtual sphere, bring it into your physical space by constructing a fort, treehouse, or den. If possible, include your children in its construction.

This collaborative effort offers numerous benefits, like fostering creativity and problem-solving skills and teaching basic construction principles. As you work together to build their sanctuary, you’ll create memories and deepen your family bond through shared experiences.

10. Go Camping With the Whole Family

Organizing a family camping trip is an incredible way to encourage outdoor play and foster bonding experiences through shared activities, such as cooking over a fire and exploring trails. It also gives your children a chance to wake up amongst the chirping sounds of birds.

Camping excursions provide an excellent opportunity for teaching your kids valuable life skills like navigation, fire safety, and resourcefulness while immersing them in the great outdoors. By experiencing this moment, you’ll instill in your children a love and respect for the environment.

Camping in the backyard with a kids tent can also be something your child does on their own to encourage independence while having fun outside.

In Conclusion…

Now that you’re armed with various exciting ideas, it’s time to take action by incorporating these activities into your family’s routine. Not only will you be creating cherished memories, but your children will benefit from the mental and physical advantages that come from outdoor play.