Taylor Swift’s New Album Displays Her Pop Culture Relevance
What? Pop star Taylor Swift is set to release her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, Oct. 3. Many brands are using the artist’s popularity in marketing ploys. Dunkin Donuts (among others) has created a logo featuring the album’s signature orange sparkles. And many other brands are creating clever puns from the album’s title.
So What? This means that even if you’ve never listened to Swift’s music, your kids could still be influenced by her songs and worldview. And there’s also chance for exposure via social media and the radio: Sirius XM has dedicated an entire channel to Swift’s music until the album’s release—and it’ll play her new tunes in their entirety once they’re released.
Now What? Be sure to read our reviews of Swift’s prior works (and our review of the new album) to decide whether her music is appropriate for your family. And talk to your teens about Swift’s influence. Ask what they think about her music. And ask whether they think she’s a good role model.
TikTok’s ‘Lock-In’ Challenge Has Varied Results
What? “The great lock-in,” also known as the “September to December” challenge, is sort of like making New Year’s resolutions in the fall. You pick a goal and “lock-in” through those months in the hope of reaching that goal.
So What? Some teens are using this challenge to encourage healthy habits, such as getting appropriate amounts of sleep. But experts say focusing on too many goals at once could cause stress. And choosing goals that focus too heavily on physical attributes could lead to a distorted perception of health or self-image.
Now What? If your teens want to “lock-in,” talk to them about setting realistic expectations. Their goals should focus on supporting their well-being. And you can also encourage them to work toward these goals alongside friends, who can help with accountability and provide a sense of connection, too.
Study Says Instagram’s Teen Safety Features Are Failing. Meta Says Otherwise.
What? A study conducted by the research center Cybersecurity for Democracy claims that only eight of the 47 safety tools created by Meta to protect teen users were working effectively—and that teens are still being shown inappropriate and dangerous content.
So What? According to BBC News,Meta has disputed this research, “saying its protections have led to teens seeing less harmful content on Instagram.”
Now What? Regardless of who is correct, this news story serves as a reminder that we should never rely too heavily on parental controls. Even when safety features are working, teen users can still come across harmful content, experience cyberbullying and more. That’s why it’s important to cultivate an ongoing conversation with your child about this subject, letting them know that if they ever come across something that makes them uncomfortable, you’ll be there to listen and provide help, if necessary.
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