TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Rates of depression have soared among teenagers over the last 25 years. And it has some parents concerned over how the current election season is impacting teens.
As we are nearing the last couple of weeks of this election cycle, it's important to learn what things we should stay on top.
Family Therapist Jane Marks offers the following tips:
1. BE EDUCATED ON THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR ISSUES AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR WHEN YOU'RE DISCUSSING POLITICS WITH YOUR TEEN.
2. REMEMBER YOUR TEEN WILL HEAR ABOUT THE LATEST CAMPAIGN GAFF OR POLITICAL SCANDAL CERTAINLY BEFORE YOU DO BECAUSE THEY ARE SO CONNECTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA.
3. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU WATCH NEWS AND DEBATES TOGETHER AND COMPARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MEDIA COVERAGE, ON DIFFERENT SHOWS AND NETWORKS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE PRONE TOWARD ANXIETY AND IRRITABILITY.
4. PUT A FRAMEWORK ON ELECTION COVERAGE BY VIEWING THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF MEDIA, DIFFERENT SHOWS AND NETWORKS.
5. TEACH SELECTIVE AND CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS BY REVIEWING POLLING, DIFFERENT COMMERCIALS, POLITICAL CARTOONS, POP CULTURE AND NEWSPAPERS.
