‘Polarization’ Is Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year
What? “Polarization,” as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “division into two sharply distinct opposites; especially, a state in which the opinions, beliefs or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes.”
So What? When joined with “brat,” “demure,” “brain rot” and “manifest,” (words chosen by fellow dictionaries Collins, Dictionary.com, Oxford and Cambridge, respectively), it seems that each publisher chose a word at least partially influenced by social media.
Now What? These words demonstrate what your children are experiencing every time they hop online (which is “almost constantly” for one-third of teens). It’s not good. Sure, demure and manifest might not seem so bad, but when you consider their origins, it quickly becomes apparent that America’s teenagers are searching for identity and fulfillment in all the wrong places. Luckily, it’s the holidays, and as we all celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it could also be a great opportunity to remind our kids that with His coming, He affirmed our identity in Him and also gave us the Bread of Life, which fulfills our deepest longings.
What? According to the National Poll on Children’s Health conducted by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, two in five parents say their teen has consumed protein supplements (including protein bars, shakes or powder) in the past year.
So What? There has been a rise of social media content promoting muscle gain (targeted at teen boys) and weight loss (targeted at teen girls). And parents corroborate this, reporting that their sons typically use protein supplements to build muscle (56%) or improve sports performance (54%), while their daughters use protein alternatives both for sports (36%) and for meal replacement/weight loss (34%).
Now What? Doctors and experts agree that the best way to achieve protein goals is through whole foods, not through supplements or powders, since those products often lack other essential nutrients. Because of this, high-protein diets (despite their social media hype) are not recommended for teens, because it’s likely they’ll miss out on essential nutrients (such as carbohydrates) that are part of a balanced diet.
What? The Better Business Bureau has compiled a list of the top 12 holiday scams for shoppers to watch out for. And perhaps unsurprisingly, most of these attempts at deceit come via social media.
So What? According to Pew Research Center, 96% of teens use the internet at least once a day. Unfortunately, that means they’re continually being bombarded by ads for products they’ll never receive, “gift exchanges” that are actually deceptive marketing schemes and more.
Now What? Having grown up in a digital age, today’s youths are pretty tech-savvy. So this is actually the perfect opportunity to put our teens’ online sleuthing skills to the test. If something seems too good to be true, have your teen do a little digging. Encouraging them to investigate products on their own will not only make them more wary of these tricks but increase their digital literacy, too. And if you have younger kids using phones and tablets, be sure to disable any purchasing features and double-check any new apps they download (some free “Holiday” apps can contain malware or collect personal information).
