### Parents ‘Should Be Seen and Not Heard’ When It Comes to Kids and Their Friendships
**CNN: Parents ‘should be seen and not heard’ when it comes to kids and their friendships**.
#### Recent Developments
– **Sharenting Dangers**: Parents posting images of their children online, known as “sharenting,” poses risks such as cyberbullying and potential exploitation by predators. This practice can also lead to children internalizing the need for external validation, which can result in anxiety and depressive symptoms.
– **Facilitating Friendships**: A Mott Poll found that nearly 1 in 5 parents say their child has no friends or not enough friends. Most parents take action to help their child make new friends, including arranging playdates and enrolling them in activities. However, parents should be cautious about limiting their child’s friends to only those from similar backgrounds, as this may hinder their ability to navigate diverse social networks.
– **Substance Misuse**: The misuse of nitrous oxide, often referred to as “Galaxy Gas,” is a growing concern among teenagers. Social media platforms like TikTok are attempting to curb the spread of related content, but videos often circumvent censorship. Parents should have ongoing conversations with their children about substance misuse and be aware of signs such as empty canisters, fits of laughter, and unusual behavior.
