Rumors hurt because they attack your reputation and can make you feel helpless. First, know that people who know you well won’t believe lies about you. Don’t try to defend yourself to everyone or chase…
Having your photo shared without permission feels violating and scary. Here’s how to take back control. Ask Them to Remove It Immediately Message the person who posted it: “Please take down that photo, I didn’t…
Good to know Getting messages from strangers online can feel exciting, but it’s important to stay safe. Here’s how to handle messages from people you don’t know. Don’t Respond Ignoring the message is the safest…
Feeling left out hurts, but there are ways to address it and protect your wellbeing. Assess the Situation Are you actually being excluded, or are you interpreting things negatively? Sometimes our feelings color our perception.…
Having friends who are different from you is actually amazing! Different backgrounds, interests, perspectives, and personalities make friendships richer and more interesting. You don’t have to be exactly alike to be close friends, you…
If a friend is being mean, it hurts, and you don’t have to accept it! Sometimes friends have bad days or don’t realize they’re hurting you. Other times, the meanness is intentional and repeated.…
Not fitting in with a friend group can feel lonely and isolating. Maybe you have different interests, values, or personalities. Maybe the group has inside jokes you don’t get, or you feel like you’re always…
Peer pressure is when friends or classmates try to get you to do something you’re uncomfortable with. It might be to skip class, try something risky, or be mean to someone. The pressure feels strong…
First, know that you deserve help and support. Tell a trusted adult: parent, teacher, school counselor, or another family member. Be specific about what’s happening, when, and who’s involved. If the first adult doesn’t…
Feeling scared to go to school is a serious sign that you need support. This fear often comes from bullying, social anxiety, or other stressful situations. First, tell your parents or guardians exactly how you’re…
Starting the conversation is often the hardest part. You could say something like, ‘I need to talk to you about something serious happening at school’ or ‘Someone has been treating me badly and I need…
Screen time isn’t all bad, but too much can affect your mood, sleep, body, and relationships. Here’s how to find balance. General Guidelines for Teens Experts suggest no more than 2 hours of recreational screen…
