From the cumbersome ‘morning shed videos’ to the busy ‘night-skin care routines’ the idea of beauty and how to stay pretty are constantly being shown on social media. If a social media platform has shown how influential it can be in a teen’s life, just observe how many teens follow the skincare routines, diets etc., they found on social media. Similarly, cosmetic surgeries were limited to a certain number of people and were considered a luxury. But kids today are constantly bombarded with images and videos on social media showing ways to alter their appearance. They see advertisements and influencers promoting laser hair removal, teeth whitening, skin peels, and lip and face fillers. This constant exposure creates a powerful impression that these procedures are normal and desirable.

A recent study done by CS Mott Children’s Hospital titled ‘National Poll On Children’s Health’ shows that a considerable number of parents are willing to support their teenagers in getting these cosmetic treatments. This willingness shows how deeply social media's beauty standards have permeated family discussions and decisions. Teenagers often feel intense pressure to conform to these idealized images, leading them to seek out these procedures as a means of fitting in or feeling accepted.

The study showed that about one in six parents in the U.S. say it's okay for their teens to get these beauty treatments, if they say it's okay. But, a study from a children's hospital shows many parents are not sure about these things. Half of the parents think there needs to be a good reason for their kid to get treatment. But they don't all agree on what a good reason is.

Cosmetic Surgeries in Teens: What Is The Right Age?

Parents also don't agree on how old kids should be for these treatments. More than half say kids should wait until they are 18. Some say 16 or 17 is okay, and a few say even younger is okay. But, almost a third of parents say kids should never get these treatments. This shows that parents have very different ideas about when kids are old enough. When a parent decides to allow their children to have cosmetic surgeries, there are many things that come into consideration, one being how much they need it, how common it is among their peers and how much this condition maybe affecting their child. According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) most teens get surgeries to fit in.

What Are Some Important Considerations Before Surgery?

Teenagers considering plastic surgery should carefully weigh several factors. It's important to remember that feelings of self-consciousness about one's body are common during adolescence and often diminish with time. Teens should also reflect on whether the reason they want surgery comes from their own personal wishes or from external pressures.

What these kids do not consider is what they see as imperfections or something that needs to be corrected, actually settles and becomes less noticeable as they grow up. As the body continues to develop throughout the teenage years, your body changes and adapts to the kind of lifestyle you are leading. Adopting a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise can significantly improve one's appearance without resorting to surgery. It's also crucial to address any underlying emotional issues, such as depression or distorted body image, with the help of a therapist before considering surgery.

Risk that Are Involved When Teens Opt For Cosmetic Surgery

If a teenager is serious about pursuing plastic surgery, it's essential to have open and honest discussions with their parents. The next step involves consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to gain a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, including the expected outcomes, recovery process, and potential complications. The recovery period may involve some degree of pain, swelling, or bruising, and the duration of healing varies depending on the specific procedure.

One of the most important things is to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Cost is also a significant factor, as insurance typically covers reconstructive surgeries but rarely covers cosmetic procedures. Thorough research and open communication with doctors and parents are essential for making informed decisions about plastic surgery. According to the Journal of Cutaneous And Aesthetic Surgery these are some risks that are involved with teens getting cosmetic surgery.

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Risks associated with anesthesia
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation
• Capsular contracture (scar tissue tightening around the implant)
• Implant leakage or rupture
• Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
• The teen's body may not have finished developing, which can cause complications.
• Scarring
• Risks associated with lasers and energy-based devices.
• Some procedures may interfere with the teen's ongoing physical development.

Sources

https://mottpoll.org/reports/teens-too-young-non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4411597/

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/briefing-papers/briefing-paper-plastic-surgery-for-teenagers

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/plastic-surgery.html

Should teens be lifting weights? This is a question many people wonder, and Cara Natterson, a pediatrician, finally has answers! "Tweens and teens should not be lifting heavy weights, but they absolutely can do resistance training. There is an important difference between the two," she says.

In an Instagram video, shared by the account @less.awkward, which is ran by Natterson, and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, Natterson explains that during puberty, "the body is flooded with hormones like testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and growth hormone, which together trigger the release of IGF-1, a key driver of growth spurts and cartilage development".

So, What Happens When A Teen Trains?

“When kids are growing rapidly, the cartilage around their bones is actually weaker than the bone itself, which makes them more vulnerable to injury during weight lifting," she points out. She further explains that in peak growth phases, bones are still mineralizing. They form a scaffold first and fill in later, which means the bones are porous and easier to injure at this stage.

“The most vulnerable part of a growing bone is the growth plate, which sits at the ends of long bones and is the weakest point when it comes to fractures.” Natterson says that if a child gets injured during weight lifting or even sports, the growth plate is often where that injury occurs. This is why kids should not be bearing heavy weights until they are done with their growth spurts, she says. However, she points out that this "does not mean they should avoid strength-building altogether".

“Resistance training, where children use their own body weight, is not only safe but encouraged. Even five, six, and seven-year-olds can do it," she says.

What Is Resistance Training?

Exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, squats, and anything that makes one use their own body weight is safe. Natterson says, “Exercises like push-ups and pull-ups strengthen muscles and improve bone density without putting excessive pressure on weak cartilage, thin bones, or growth plates.”

For more impact, one can use resistance bands. While people also use dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells, Natterson recommends to avoid any weights during the growth spurt.

Here Are Some Examples Of Resistance Training That One Can Do Without Lifting Weights

Chest Press

• Wrap your resistance band behind your back.
• Hold both ends with your hands and start with your arms at your side.
• Bend your elbows and push the band in front of you.

Bicep Curls

• Stand on the resistance band and hold both ends in hands.
• With your arms extended by side, pull your hand up, keep elbow bent at side.
• Do it with one or both arms.

Squats

• Stand on your resistance band and grab both ends with your hands.
• In a squat position, hold the bands but do not lock your arms.
• Extend your knees until you are in a standing position.

Pull Ups

• Grip a bar with hands shoulder width apart.
• Start with a full hang, then pull your body up by squeezing your shoulder blades down and back until your chin clears the bar
• Then lower down the control and keep your core engaged.

Push Ups

• Start is high plank with hands wider then shoulders.
• Keep your core tight and body in a straight line from head to heels.
• Lower your chest towards the floor by bending elbows to 90 degrees.
• Push back up powerfully to the starting position, maintain a rigid core and straight back throughout.

A healthy childhood begins with timely protection, and vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to keep children safe from serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. With updated recommendations for 2026, parents are being urged to take a fresh look at their child’s immunization schedule and ensure that no essential dose is missed.

“Parents often think of vaccines as optional or something that can be delayed, but infections do not wait,” says Dr Nishant Bansal, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Noida. “Vaccination at the right age gives a child the best possible start and prevents complications that we still see far too often in hospitals.”

Children’s immune systems are still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to infections. Vaccines work by training the immune system to recognize and fight germs without causing the disease itself. This reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, long-term complications, and even school absenteeism. On a larger level, widespread vaccination protects newborns, elderly family members, and children with weaker immunity by limiting the spread of infections.

Vaccines Recommended for All Children in 2026

According to Dr Bansal, the 2026 vaccine list continues to focus on preventing both long-standing and emerging health threats. He explains that these vaccines are backed by years of research and real-world evidence showing their effectiveness and safety.

Some of the key vaccines recommended for children include:

Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP or Tdap): These protect against serious bacterial infections, including whooping cough, which can be life-threatening for infants.

Polio (IPV): Prevents paralysis caused by poliovirus and remains crucial despite India being polio-free.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Protects against highly contagious viral illnesses that can lead to complications like hearing loss, brain inflammation, and pregnancy-related risks later in life.

Chickenpox (Varicella): Prevents painful blisters and reduces the risk of severe skin infections and pneumonia.

Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Offers protection against meningitis and pneumonia, especially in young children.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV): Helps prevent pneumonia, meningitis, and serious bloodstream infections.

Hepatitis A and B: Protect the liver from viral infections that can lead to chronic disease.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Recommended for older children and adolescents to protect against cancers linked to HPV later in life.

Meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY and MenB): Recommended starting at 9 months and 1 year, though they can be given later as well, to prevent serious brain and blood infections.

Rotavirus, Influenza (Flu), and COVID-19 vaccines: These continue to be important in reducing severe disease, hospitalization, and complications.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Especially recommended for infants at higher risk of severe infection.

“Each of these vaccines has a role,” Dr Bansal explains. “Some prevent infections that spread very fast, while others protect against diseases that cause long-term damage. Together, they form a safety net for the child.”

The Importance of Follow-Ups and Booster Doses

One common misconception among parents is that skipping or delaying vaccines is harmless. Dr Bansal strongly disagrees. “Missing follow-up doses can weaken the protection a vaccine offers,” he says. “Some vaccines need multiple doses to build strong and lasting immunity, while booster shots help maintain that protection as the child grows.”

He adds that parents should not panic if a dose is missed. “In most cases, the schedule does not need to be restarted. A pediatrician can guide you on when to safely take the next dose.”

How Parents Can Stay on Track

Keeping a vaccination record, setting reminders for upcoming doses, and attending scheduled follow-up visits are simple but effective steps. Dr Bansal advises parents to have an open discussion with their child’s doctor and get a vaccination schedule tailored to the child’s age, health, and risk factors.

“Vaccination is not just about preventing illness,” he says. “It is about giving children the freedom to grow, learn, and thrive without avoidable health setbacks.”

As 2026 approaches, experts urge parents to prioritize immunization and make informed decisions. A timely visit to your pediatrician and adherence to the recommended schedule can go a long way in keeping your child, and the community, healthy and protected.

Parenting expert Bethany Braun-Silva in a conversation with ABC News says that 2025 was the banner year for gentle parenting, but the tide is shifting now. However, she notes, "parents are understanding now that emotional awareness and empathy is as important as setting firm boundaries and parental expectations." This is why 2026 is now becoming a year when there is a shift away from gentle parenting. She notes that gentle parenting actually stands for firm boundaries, however, "some people rode that 'gentle' train too seriously".

An article by Mother.ly notes that critics often argue that gentle parenting often blurs the line between kindness and permissiveness. It argues that this leaves parents at the risk of being seen as pushovers. In fact, new research shows that it is the Gen Z parents who are moving away form "gentle parenting".

What Is The New FAFO Parenting Style Gen Z Moms And Dad Are Switching Too?

Another Wall Street Journal piece notes that more and more parents are now embracing FAFO, which is short for F-Around and Find Out. What does it mean? The idea is that parents can ask and warn their children, but if the child breaks the rules, parents cannot stand in the line of repercussions. "Won’t bring your raincoat? Walk home in the downpour. Didn’t feel like having lasagna for dinner? Survive until breakfast. Left your toy on the floor again? Go find it in the trash under the lasagna you didn’t eat," notes the WSJ.

Parenting styles that emphasized minimal discipline have shaped child-rearing over the past few decades. Critics now argue that this approach has contributed to some of Gen Z’s struggles in adulthood. They point to surveys showing young adults grappling with workplace relationships and rising anxiety and depression, questioning whether constant parental intervention and a reluctance to say “no” played a role.

For parents who have spent years trying to balance emotional support without tipping into permissiveness, FAFO can feel refreshingly straightforward.

What Is Wrong With Gentle Parenting?

The argument is that gentle parenting puts a lot of pressure on parents, and promote unrealistic expectations. Emily Edlynn, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in pediatric health psychologist writes for Psychology Today, that gentle parenting "adds stress to parenting that we don’t need. Higher stress undoubtedly impacts our relationship with our child in a negative way, more so than having our authentic moments of being human".

She argues that it is okay for parents to show frustration with a child who has asked the same question for the seventeenth time because the child did not like the answer. She says that expressing is better than holding all the frustration in. In fact this shows a natural demonstration of feelings and teaches the child to be expressive too.

Gentle parenting discussions often blur the line between punishment and discipline. Decades of research show that behavioral tools are not inherently punitive and can be an effective part of discipline. Discipline is meant to teach, while punishment is not. It is possible to combine emotional connection with clear consequences.