Hello Reader,

Not a day goes by without hearing about the rise in mental health struggles among kids.

And it’s not just anecdotal. The NIH reports “nearly 20% of children and young people ages 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.”

Wow.

And while there are many contributing factors, here at Defend Young Minds we focus on one in particular: digital dangers—specifically pornography & predators.

Yes, that includes social media and excessive screen time too—because those are portals to inappropriate content and risky interactions.

But we don’t just sound the alarm. We share solutions. Because with the right tools, you can raise emotionally stronger, more 🥰resilient kids in today’s world.

So in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, here are three must-read articles—and one powerful guide—to help you build your child’s emotional well-being:

📌 1. The Truth About Porn’s Impact on Childhood Mental Health
​By Ashlee Knapp, LAMFT
​
What happens when a child sees porn too young? Therapist and mom Ashlee Knapp explains how this kind of exposure can become a formative experience—one that shapes a child’s emotional development, relationships, and even long-term mental health.

She outlines age-specific risks, including:
​
• Confusion, guilt, and anxiety in elementary-aged kids
• Escapism, problem behaviors, and risky sexual scripts in teens
• Depression, loneliness, and relationship issues in young adults

But it’s not all doom and gloom—Ashlee also shares practical, compassionate steps parents can take to help their kids process exposure and build emotional safety. (Spoiler: it starts with how you respond.)

📌 2. Surgeon General’s Warning: Social Media Poses "Profound Risk of Harm"
​The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory reveals that social media can actually rewire the developing brain—affecting the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which makes kids more sensitive to social rewards and punishments. This causes heightened emotional sensitivity, influenced by every like, comment, or video they consume.

Social media has been linked to:

• Poor sleep
• Depression
• Increased risk-taking
• Shortened attention spans

Yikes. This article breaks it down and gives steps parents can take to protect their kids.

📌 3. New Video Series: A Pediatrician’s Take on Digital Overuse
​In this FREE 5-part series, Dr. Justin Rowberry (Yale-trained developmental pediatrician!) explains how digital overuse impacts kids—and what families can do to reverse it. Topics include:

• Sleep
• Mood
• Focus
• Body image
• And more

Bonus: His advice is super practical and encouraging—you’ll feel equipped, not overwhelmed.

Building emotional resilience in kids = protecting their mental health

Emotional resilience is a game-changer. When kids learn how to cope with stress, handle big emotions, and meet their emotional needs in healthy ways, they’re far less likely to turn to screens, social media, or even pornography as an escape.

That’s why you’ll love our therapist-recommended guide, Building Emotional Resilience in Kids. It provides 4 easy tools to help your child:

• Grow a positive mindset
• Learn healthy ways to manage emotions
• Create a personalized resilience plan
• Strengthen family bonds with meaningful conversations

Includes: Parent & kids’ growth mindset posters, emotional resilience tags, and 20 powerful family story questions.

Why? Because this small investment today can help your child face challenges with emotional strength and confidence for years to come.

Kindly,

Kristen

P.S. 💚Forward this to a friend—especially one who’s concerned about their child’s mental health. Sharing helpful tools is one small way we support each other as parents.