Parental As Anything

It’s normal for teenagers to push away parents and think we’re totally embarrassing, so how can we keep connected to them?  Parents from the Parental As Anything: Teens community have shared their best hacks on how they bond with their teenagers. 

By the age of 15 more than 50 per cent of teenagers have looked at porn. For teenage boys, this can quickly become a habit. Research points to a link between porn use and sexual violence, with young men the most likely offenders.  So how can we help our teens understand that curiosity around sex is normal but the violence and degradation depicted in porn is not? And how can we help set them up to have healthy, respectful relationships? 

The last years of high school can be full of pressure and stress – but what do you do if your teenager just can’t seem to get organised or manage their time? Some teenagers become highly anxious and are weighed down by pressure to get top marks for university – while others just can’t seem to get motivated. Youth coach Claire Eaton joins Bec Sparrow to share strategies on getting study ready, planning, how to motivate teens and what to do when the pressure to achieve becomes too much.  

Masturbation and self-pleasure are a normal part of exploring sexuality,  but that doesn't mean it's not awkward to talk about with our teens. Bec Sparrow shares her advice on talking to teens and tweens about exploring their own bodies and what to do if there is social pressure to overshare. 

There has been a huge rise in online bullying – and it can be subtle and sophisticated – with devastating impacts on victim’s mental health. These days bullies are on our teenager’s screens 24/7 via Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp and there’s no escaping the torture.  How do we protect our teens online? What steps should we take if we find out our child is a target of cyberbullying? And what should we do if we find out our child is a cyberbully?  

Vapes come in fun, fruity flavours and are easy to hide, part of the reason they’re so appealing to teenagers. But what should you do if you catch your teen vaping? And are they worse than the cigarettes of our hey-day? Bec Sparrow shares the steps to take if your teenager is secretly vaping, how to help your adolescent resist social pressure to inhale and the importance of busting myths around  the health risks of vapes and e-cigarettes.  

First loves can be all consuming – so what should you do if your teen wants to have their new boyfriend or girlfriend sleep over? From unwanted pregnancies and contraception to STDs and consent, there’s a lot to navigate– for parents and teenagers.  

Adolescents and young people are most at risk of getting an eating disorder, with the average age of onset between 12 and 25. And eating disorders are on the rise, with  a 21% increase in disordered eating in the past decade.What makes teens vulnerable to eating disorders? What can we do to protect them?  And, how can we support them if they do?  

Teenagers are spending more time than ever on their phones – they are on devices up to 8 hours a day. And that’s when they’re not at school!  Of course, your teen won't see their excessive screentime as an issue. Phones are a way for teens to connect but they also distract and get in the way of sleep.  So what can you do if your teenager is constantly attached to their phone? 

You find fresh cuts on your teenager’s body – what do you do next? Self-harm can be a way for teens to cope with big emotions, anxiety and distress and it's more common than parents might think. 

Teen boys are being pumped fitness content on social media, pushing many to build bulk and get "jacked". Researchers are worried this 'gymfluencer' content is leading to a spike in body dysmorphia among young men. What can you do if your teenage son is worrying about how they look? And how can you help if they are developing worrying habits, like daily gym sessions and protein shakes? 

Today's teens are the "anxious generation" and anxiety is on the rise. It impacts their mental health and their ability to cope with school, friendships and everyday tasks.

Does your teen love nothing more than slothing about on the sofa? And the mere idea of a walk, bike ride or jumping on the trampoline seems like too much effort?We know that movement and exercise is good for our mental and physical health, but knowing that, and getting our teen to muster the energy to do it are two different things.Bec Sparrow gives her tips on how to get your teen moving.

Female teachers are being sworn at, sexually harassed and physically threatened in high schools by male students. These young men are under the thrall of Andrew Tate and other online influencers and are taking his misogynist ideas into the classroom. 

Your daughter asks you to buy her a vibrator. What should you do? Bec Sparrow on why sex positivity for our teens is important, why there’s still a taboo around female masturbation and the awkward, but important, conversations to have around pleasure. 

When they’re little, our kids idolise us. Then, they become teenagers and start to push us away, refusing to chat and rolling their eyes.What can parents do to stay connected, when suddenly you're no longer the Taylor Swift or Drake of your teen's life? And why do they pull away from us in the first place?Dr Justin Coulson joins Bec Sparrow to explain what is going on, and gives tips on how to stay close to your teenager.(PS If you have a trick on how you have managed to stay connected, we’d love to hear them for a special episode we’re working on. Send us a voice note or email us at teens@abc.net.au)The advice in this podcast is general and does not consider your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Guest: Dr Justin CoulsonProducers: Hannah Reich, Josie Sargent Supervising Producer: Tamar CranswickExecutive Producer: Alex LollbackSound design: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

Has your tween bugged you to buy them fancy face cream or a Drunk Elephant serum? Younger and younger teenagers are lusting after super expensive — and age-inappropriate — beauty products that they’ve seen on social media.Bec Sparrow is here to help you know what to do if your tween or teen is breaking the bank with creams, make-up and serums.  The advice in this podcast is general and does not consider your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. Producers: Hannah Reich, Josie Sargent Supervising Producer: Tamar CranswickExecutive Producer: Alex LollbackSound design: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

What do you do when you don't like your teen's mates?Friends are so important for our teens, so how can you guide them to make good choices when it comes to buddies? Should you try and intervene, or will that only backfire?

How do you know when your teen’s gaming habit levels-up from hobby to obsession? Once teens are on their gaming consoles, it can be really tough to get them to press pause. Even to go to the toilet, eat dinner or go to sleep. Bec Sparrow uncovers the red flags to look for if your teenager’s gaming is becoming obsessive, and gives you practical tips on how to turbo boost your tech and gaming boundaries. 

You pick up your teenager from a party, see wasted kids stumbling around, vomiting in bushes and you realise they’re no longer playing pin the tail on the donkey. How do we teach our kids to have a healthy relationship with alcohol? And is it ever okay to give your teen booze?  In this Parental As Anything: Teens, Paul Dillon, the director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia, joins host Bec Sparrow to talk you through how to set boundaries, how to keep your child safe and what to do if your teen is asking for booze.