Category: Well-Being

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.

Caring for a child with special needs can be challenging. It can be emotionally and physically taxing- and definitely requires professional guidance. However, adding fun and engaging activities to your routine can make a significant difference.

Specifically, flower arranging can be an interactive and beneficial activity both for you and your physically or mentally-challenged kid. This creative outlet promotes focus, fine motor skills, and sensory stimulation. Furthermore, it allows you both to bond together in a relaxed and joyful environment.

This post covers the benefits that a kid with special needs can gain from flower-arranging workshops.

Benefits of Flower Arranging Workshops for Children with Special Needs

Besides home-based flower arranging sessions, attending flower arranging workshops together offers the added benefit of socializing with others, fostering a sense of community and shared enjoyment in your child’s learning experiences.

Here are a few ways flower arranging workshops can be beneficial for kids with special needs.

1. Enhancing Fine Motor Skills

Perhaps just like swimming lessons, scavenger hunts, or obstacle courses, flower arranging workshops can enable children to improve their motor skills. Grasping stems, positioning petals, and securing blooms in place, the activity specifically allows them to practice hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Moreover, these incremental improvements can positively impact a child’s ability to perform daily tasks with more ease and independence.

2. Sensory Stimulation

Working with different types of flowers exposes children to a range of textures, colors, and scents. For what it’s worth, even ‘digital flowers’ have a way of stimulating one’s senses before delivery or receipt.

For instance, the Bouqs’ tulip collection offers a vibrant array of hues and subtle fragrances that engage the senses, enriching children’s sensory experiences. Furthermore, this stimulation helps increase their awareness and appreciation of their surroundings, nurturing their curiosity about the world around them.

3. Creative Expression

Flower arranging allows space for self-expression and imagination without any pressure for perfection. Children with special needs can explore different arrangements suited to their preferences, fostering a sense of pride in their creations.

This creative outlet also supports emotional well-being specifically for these children, providing a calming and therapeutic activity they can turn to when facing challenging moments in life.

4. Social Opportunities

Attending workshops opens doors for social interaction between families facing similar challenges. This connection not only benefits the child but also provides support and networking opportunities among caregivers.

5. Building Confidence

As children progress in their flower arranging skills, they experience the satisfaction and accomplishment of mastering new techniques. This sense of achievement helps boost their self-esteem and confidence as they tackle other aspects of life.

Special Needs in Children Where Flower Arranging Can Help

Children with various physical, cognitive, and emotional special needs can benefit from flower arranging workshops. For those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), for example, these activities provide an avenue for refining motor skills, while the sensory exploration can be calming and regulating.

Similarly, children with cerebral palsy may improve their dexterity by handling delicate petals and balancing flower stems.

Kids facing emotional challenges or developmental delays can also find value in flower arranging workshops. The relaxed atmosphere facilitates self-expression and creativity which boosts confidence and reduces stress.

As we’ve seen, flower arranging workshops present an incredible opportunity for children with special needs to learn, grow, and express themselves creatively. These workshops not only foster the development of vital skills but also create a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances the emotional well-being of both children and caregivers.

What to get your child insterested in the joys of nature?  Read about these 5 fall adventures for sensory sensitive children.

Mental health is a vital aspect of overall well-being, and team sports have proven to be a powerful catalyst for promoting positive mental health in adults. Engaging in team sports offers numerous benefits that can lead to positive changes in mental well-being and overall quality of life.

Boosting Self-Esteem and Confidence

Team sports create an environment where individuals feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. Being part of a team fosters a supportive community where individuals can form deep connections with their teammates. This sense of belonging provides a powerful boost to self-esteem as individuals feel valued and appreciated for their contributions to the team’s collective effort.

When teammates acknowledge and recognize each other’s efforts, it reinforces a positive self-image and a belief in one’s abilities. This validation from peers and coaches helps individuals develop a stronger sense of self-worth, leading to increased self-esteem and confidence.

Setting and achieving goals and milestones in team sports play a significant role in enhancing self-confidence. As individuals work towards common objectives, they experience personal growth and witness their progress firsthand. Each small accomplishment contributes to a larger sense of achievement, building confidence in one’s abilities.

Moreover, the support and encouragement received from teammates and coaches during the journey towards these goals reinforce a belief in oneself. This positive reinforcement serves as a powerful motivator and further solidifies an individual’s self-confidence, empowering them to push their limits and strive for continued success both on and off the field.

Stress Relief and Emotional Well-being

Participating in team sports not only provides physical benefits but also serves as a powerful outlet for stress relief and improved emotional well-being. The physical activity involved in team sports triggers the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters in the brain that act as natural mood enhancers.

These endorphins help to alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of well-being. Engaging in team sports allows individuals to channel their energy and emotions into the game, providing a healthy release and an opportunity to escape from the pressures and challenges of daily life.

The intense focus required during team sports activities offers a valuable mental break from work-related or personal stressors. In the midst of a game or practice session, individuals can temporarily disconnect from their worries and concerns, allowing their minds to reset and recharge. This respite from daily pressures contributes to stress reduction and aids in achieving a more balanced state of mind. Additionally, participating in team sports helps individuals develop better emotional regulation skills.

By engaging in physical activity and being part of a team, individuals learn to manage their emotions more effectively, cope with stressors, and maintain a healthier perspective when faced with challenges. The camaraderie and support from teammates also provide an avenue for emotional expression, creating a safe and supportive environment to share experiences and seek guidance.

Social Support and Connection

Team sports create a supportive and encouraging social environment, fostering social support and connection among teammates. The camaraderie built through shared experiences and common goals strengthens relationships, fosters a sense of belonging, and enhanves team building skills in other areas of life as well.

Teammates often become friends who provide emotional support, understanding, and motivation both on and off the field. This social interaction reduces feelings of isolation and enhances mental well-being through a robust support network.,

Building Resilience and Coping Skills

Participating in team sports offers a powerful outlet for stress relief and improved emotional well-being. The physical activity involved in team sports triggers the release of endorphins, which act as natural mood enhancers and reduce stress and anxiety. Whether it’s the pressures of work, mental health challenges, or being part of a drug rehab program, team sports provide a healthy and constructive means of managing stress and promoting overall mental well-being.  These rehab services are extremely effective for athletes and hard workers.

The intense focus required during games allows individuals to temporarily disconnect from the stressors of daily life. Engaging in team sports provides a much-needed mental break, allowing individuals to shift their attention and energy toward the game at hand. This diversion from stress can be particularly helpful for individuals who may be facing various challenges. who may experience heightened stress due to the process of recovery and the adjustments it entails.

In addition to serving as a stress reliever, participating in team sports promotes emotional well-being by facilitating the development of effective coping mechanisms. Engaging in physical activity within a team setting offers a supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences, seek guidance, and find encouragement from teammates. This social support contributes to emotional resilience, helping individuals better navigate through stressful situations and build a stronger sense of emotional stability.

Improved Cognitive Function and Mental Sharpness

Engaging in team sports positively impacts cognitive function and mental sharpness. Physical exercise involved in team sports enhances blood flow to the brain, improving brain function and cognitive abilities. Team sports require strategic thinking, decision-making, and quick reflexes, stimulating mental agility and problem-solving skills. The constant engagement and focus demanded during games sharpen concentration and attention skills, leading to improved mental acuity both on and off the field.

Developing Healthy Habits and Discipline

Participating in team sports not only promotes physical fitness but also instills a range of healthy habits and discipline in adults, contributing to their overall well-being. Regular practice sessions and training routines in team sports cultivate discipline and time management skills. Athletes learn to prioritize their commitments, balance their schedules, and make the most efficient use of their time. This discipline extends beyond the field and permeates other areas of their lives, allowing them to effectively manage work, personal relationships, and other responsibilities.

Furthermore, engaging in team sports encourages individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle choices. Athletes recognize the importance of fueling their bodies with nutritious foods to optimize performance. They understand that proper nutrition is essential for sustained energy levels, muscle recovery, and overall well-being. As a result, participants in team sports tend to make conscious choices about their diet, incorporating wholesome and balanced meals into their daily routines.

Enhancing Overall Well-being

Engaging in team sports has a profound impact on overall well-being. The physical activity and social interaction inherent in team sports contribute to improved mood and overall happiness. By promoting a holistic approach to well-being, team sports enable individuals to address both their physical and mental health needs, leading to a higher quality of life. The long-term benefits of participating in team sports extend far beyond the playing field, impacting various aspects of an individual’s well-being positively.

Jennifer Bell is a mother of two, a wellness coach, and a writer for addiction clinics in the Philadelphia area. She enjoys helping others find physical wellness.