On the Radar: Pro-Ana Retrending, Teen Tobacco Use Drops and the ‘October Theory’, Best TV Shows to Binge Watch

What? Teenage girls of the ‘90s and ‘00s were bombarded with “pro-ana” (pro-anorexia) content that led to unhealthy trends such as “thigh gaps” and “heroin chic.” Unfortunately, this sort of content is trending once again among Gen Z.

So What? Although we’ve seen a promotion of “body positive” content for the last decade, the resurgence of Y2K clothing trends, such as “indie sleaze” (aka “soft grunge”), and the normalization of weight loss drugs like Ozempic have re-romanticized outdated thin ideals as well.

Now What? Talk to your teens (especially your daughters) about the potential perils of these “skinny obsessed” trends. Keep an eye out for “motivational” influencers who promote unrealistic body standards, as your teen may mimic some dangerous eating habits trying to look like those people. And warn your adolescent to avoid content including the hashtag #edtwt (which stands for a pro-eating-disorder community on X, formerly Twitter), a red ribbon emoji, or the spelling of words such as “di3t” and “3ating disord3r,” as these are all codes to circumvent social media moderation.

Teen Tobacco Use at Lowest Point in 25 Years

What? The Centers for Disease Control reports that teen tobacco use is at its lowest point since the organization began surveying adolescents on their smoking habits in 1999. That year, nearly 30% of high school students smoked. This year, it was just 1.7%.

So What? E-cigarettes and nicotine pouches remain the most commonly used tobacco products among teens, says Associated Press. But over the last 12 months, there was a 20% drop in the estimated number of middle and high school students who recently used at least one tobacco product (2.25 million this year compared to 2.8 million last year).

Now What? “Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an extraordinary milestone for public health,” said Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, in a statement to AP. However, she adds, “Our mission is far from complete.” Efforts to educate the public on the health hazards of tobacco use will continue, as well as more aggressive enforcement against retailers and manufacturers selling products to minors. But parents should remain vigilant. So talk to your kids about the long and short-term effects of smoking and second-hand smoke.

Trending ‘October Theory’ Is a Lot Like New Year’s Resolutions

What? Social media is ablaze with posts about the “October Theory,” where folks use the last three months of the year to set goals, pick up new habits and reflect on their lives so that they have a jump start on the new year.

So What? Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Ann-Marie Alcántara says, “Between the uneven job market, inflation, and the usual daily grind, people are looking for something they can control. Setting goals and improving their lives—whether it’s their health, finances or mindset—is something they are gravitating toward.”

Now What? Taking the time to reflect, develop new habits and create some goals for the next year can be a great thing. But as Christians, we should also take some time to think about why we feel so motivated to pursue changes in our lives. If it’s control-based, as Alcántara suggests, that could mean there are some deeper fears at work. Talk to your kids about their own motivations. Are they trusting God with their futures? Or are they letting fear overcome them? Remind them of the words in Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 10:31, and pray with them about the things that may be causing anxiety for the coming year.