Although it has been a running joke among social media users, the day has finally arrived and Tik-Tok is getting banned in the US. While the people who are earning off it like companies and content creators are understandably angry as they are losing their source of income. But this might be a blessing disguise for parents. The highest court in the US, the Supreme Court, has said it's okay to ban TikTok in the United States. They're worried about security because the app is owned by a company in China. It's not totally clear when the ban will happen because the current and next presidents don't agree on it, but this decision makes people think about how social media affects young people. Since lots of teens use TikTok, this ban could be a big deal for them.

Helping Kids When TikTok Is Gone

Losing TikTok is going to be a big deal for a lot of kids. They're probably going to feel a bunch of different things – sad, angry, annoyed, maybe even a little lost. As a parent, it's really important to try and understand what they're going through. Don't just brush it off and tell them to "get over it." That won't help. What experts suggest is to help them find other things they enjoy doing and to keep talking to them about it. This helps them adjust to not having TikTok and find healthy ways to deal with the change. It's really important to let your kids know that it's perfectly fine to be upset about losing something they liked. You don't want them to feel like their feelings are silly or unimportant. Just listen to them, let them talk about it, and let them know that you get it. That's the first and most important step to helping them feel better.

Why the Ban Might Actually Be Good

While a TikTok ban might initially cause disappointment and frustration, it's important to consider the potential positive consequences, particularly concerning the well-being of teenagers. There's growing concern among parents, educators, and health professionals about the impact of social media on young people's mental health. Issues like cyberbullying, exposure to unrealistic beauty standards, and the pressure to constantly keep up with trends can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Less Bad Stuff Online

A TikTok ban could mean kids see less harmful stuff online, like dangerous trends, bullying, and unrealistic ideas about how they should look or live. This can help them feel better about themselves.

More Time in the Real World

Without TikTok taking up so much time, kids might spend more time doing things in real life. This could mean hanging out with friends, trying new hobbies, playing sports, or just being outside. These real-life experiences are important for them.

Dealing with Time Wasting and Bad Feelings

Many teens say they feel pressured to keep up with everything on TikTok, which can make them feel bad about themselves, worried about their bodies, or even lead to eating problems. And not keeping up may cause them anxiety, speak to them and loop in a therapist if you can.

Trying a Break from Social Media

Taking a break from all social media, called a "digital detox," can help families see how much it affects them. This is a way to guage how much your limits are and what to do to help it. It's like a fresh start and can help everyone create better habits.

Making a Plan

Being so heavily relied on social media has made it very easy to just lie around and it not being there will cause you anxiety and stress, so look for other things like classes, activities to keep yourself and the kids occupied.

Finding Other Things to Do

There are many other things can do to have fun instead of social media! Think outside the screens and go exploring onto the streets, and nature nearby if you can!

Men's health is a topic often not talked about, however, it is as important as any other health related topics that are addressed more frequently. This is the case especially when it comes to men's reproductive health. While there has a been a lot of studies around semen production and what makes a sperm healthy, there are still many myths around it.

To burst one of such myths, we spoke to Dr Beena Muktesh, Senior IVF Expert at Motherhood Hospital, Gurugram. We asked her whether there was any truth in the claim that semen production is linked to healthy sperm.

Dr Muktesh points out that while sperm-related problems are rampant in men, many men still assume that producing semen automatically indicates fertility. "However, it is a myth that needs to be addressed." She says that there is a need to understand the difference between the two.

What Is Semen? How Does It Tell Whether The Sperm Is Healthy?

Semen is a fluid that is released during ejaculation. It contains sperm and other substances from the male reproductive organs. The sperm is around 1 to 5% of the semen. The rest of it is a liquid called seminal plasma, this includes water, proteins, enzymes, and nutrients like fructose for energy. It Is important for reproduction by helping sperm reach and fertilize the egg. "Healthy semen is pivotal when it comes to male fertility. However, a common myth among men is that if they ejaculate normally, their sperm must be healthy and fertile," she points out.

The doctor says that while semen production is sign that the reproductive system is functioning, it may not guarantee that the sperm it contains are capable of fertilizing an eff.

Dr Muktesh says, "Fertility depends not just on the presence of sperm but on their count, motility or movement, and morphology, or shape. Though many women do not know about this fact and continue to struggle in silence."

Semen that appears normal is volume, color and consistency, could still contain sperm that are low in number. They could move poorly, or have structural abnormalities, pointed out the doctor. "These factors impact the ability of sperm to reach and fertilize an egg, making conception difficult even if ejaculation occurs regularly."

The doctor suggests that men must undergo a semen analysis to evaluate their fertility. The analysis will be able to tell the number of sperm in a given volume of semen.

"Low count can reduce the chances of fertilization. The sperm motility will be checked to know how the sperm will move. Poor motility means sperm may struggle to reach the egg. The expert will also pay attention to the sperm shape and structure. Abnormal shapes can affect the ability to penetrate and fertilize the egg, and make conception challenging," she points out.

There are also other factors like the semen pH, volume, and white blood cell presence that could be monitored to detect infections or other underlying concerns. This is why it is important to get the analysis done and not just assume, she points out.

"Awareness and early evaluation allow timely intervention, increasing the chances of conception and promoting informed decisions about reproductive health. So, men, consult the expert without any delay and know about your sperm health status for healthy conception," she says.

It’s almost a reflex action now - your teen seems distracted, moody or defiant and the first thing you reach for is their phone. Many parents believe that once the phone is gone, their child will start behaving better, focusing more and feeling calmer. But psychologists say this approach may be oversimplifying a complex emotional landscape.

The Real Issue: Teens Want to Be Understood, Not Controlled

Teenagers today are navigating a world far more layered than the one their parents grew up in. Their phones are not just gadgets, they are extensions of their identity, their social life and even their coping mechanisms. When parents link every behavioural problem to 'too much screen time' teens feel misunderstood and invalidated.

Also Read: Popcorn Brain: Is This Syndrome Behind Your Difficulty Concentrating? Experts Explain

“I am tired of being told that if I stop using my phone, I will feel better. My phone isn’t the problem, it’s how I connect with friends and keep up with what’s happening around me. Why should the rules be different for adults and for us?" says 16-year-old G. Kaur

This sentiment echoes across many teenage households - the need to be heard rather than judged. Their brains are still developing, firing signals of independence and identity formation, which often clash with parental control.

Why Parents React the Way They Do

For many parents, taking away the phone feels like the only available disciplinary tool. “Whenever I feel helpless about my son’s behaviour, my instant reaction is to taunt him about his phone usage or take it away,” admits one mother. “I know it is not right, but I don’t know what else to do. We grew up without phones and turned out fine but today’s kids just can’t seem to focus.”

This response, psychologists say, stems from fear and frustration. The digital world is unfamiliar territory for many parents, and snatching the phone feels like regaining control. But in reality, it often deepens the disconnect between parent and child.

Also Read: What Are Kratom And Kava, The Controversial Ingredients In ‘Feel Free’ Drinks?

What Psychologists Recommend Instead

First and foremost, understand the role of the phone. For teens, phones serve as social lifelines, a place where they explore identity, friendship and belonging. Dismissing that entirely can make them feel isolated. So instead of taking the phone away, have open conversations about how and why they use it.

Next focus on connection, not control. Rather than imposing blanket bans, set boundaries. For instance, agree on screen-free times during meals or before bed but let your teen be part of the decision-making. This gives them a sense of respect and control.

Also, look for the real reason behind behaviour. Irritability, withdrawal or lack of focus may not always be caused by phone use. These could be signs of stress, anxiety or emotional overwhelm.

Model healthy digital habits yourself. Teens mirror adult behaviour. If they see you constantly checking emails or scrolling late at night, they will assume it’s normal.

Keep an open communication. Teens respond better to empathy than authority. Simple statements like “I understand it’s hard to disconnect, even for me sometimes” or “I want to know what’s stressing you out” can make way for honest conversations.

In the end, parents need to understand that phones are not the enemy, disconnection is. When parents focus solely on controlling screen time, they risk missing the deeper emotional needs of their teens. Instead of snatching the phone, try reaching for understanding.

After all, the goal isn’t to raise a child who lives without a phone, it’s to raise one who can live well with it.

A new study showed that teens who begin using cannabis before the age of 15 are much more likely to face health problems later in life. Statistics show that many teens use cannabis, or substance more commonly known as weed from a young age.

The data from Government of Canada shows that 1 in 6 children from grades seventh to 12th reported using cannabis in 2014-15. They assessed that Canadian adolescents have the highest rates of cannabis usage.

The usage of cannabis at such a young age has also been linked to higher risk of using drugs later in life, according to the new study published in the JAMA Network Open. Compared to their peers who didn't use the drug in adolescence, they also face an increased risk of developing mental and physical health problems in young adulthood.

How Many Teens Use Cannabis?

This important conclusion comes from a recent study published in a science journal called JAMA Network Open. The researchers used data from a long study in Canada called the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, where they have been following more than 1,500 children from when they were infants into their young adult years.

The scientists recorded many details about their lives, including if they used cannabis between the ages of 12 and 17. The study sorted the teenagers into three groups based on their habits:

Non-Users (60%)

Most of the teenagers didn't use cannabis at all during their adolescence.

Late/Infrequent Users (20%)

These teens started using cannabis later (in their late teens) and only used it rarely—less than once a month—by the time they were 17.

Early/Frequent Users (20%)

This last group started using cannabis before age 15 and used it at least once a month by age 17.

How Does Cannabis Usage In Teens Affect Health?

The group of teens who started early and used often was much more likely to visit the doctor or seek care for both mental and physical health problems as young adults.

Mental Health

These early/frequent users had a 51% higher chance of seeking professional help for mental health issues. This risk was calculated to be real even after the researchers carefully removed the influence of other factors that can affect health, like being bullied or problems at home.

Physical Health

Similarly, the same early and frequent users had an 86% higher chance of needing care for physical problems. The most common physical issues they reported were respiratory issues and getting into accidents or unintentional injuries. These issues could be related to being high/intoxication or perhaps to the body reacting when they stop using the drug, which are known as withdrawal symptoms.

Why Should Early Cannabis Usage Be Discouraged?

The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained that the brain of a teenager is still growing and developing a lot, and this process continues until they are about 25 years old. Using cannabis (marijuana) during the teen years and young adulthood can potentially harm this development.

Compared to teens who don't use cannabis, those who do are more likely to drop out of high school or not finish a college degree. Using cannabis can cause several immediate and long-term problems for teens

• Difficulty Thinking
• Memory Issues
• Poor Coordination
• Attention Problems
• School and Social Troubles
• Cannabis use can also lead to more serious issues that affect a teen's overall life.
• Increased Mental Health Risks

Cannabis is linked to depression and anxiety, and it raises the risk of temporary psychosis (paranoia or hallucinations). Starting young and using often increases the likelihood of long-term illness like schizophrenia.

Dangerous Driving

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and unsafe, as it severely slows reaction time. Cannabis reduces coordination and concentration, impacting all the skills necessary for responsible and safe driving.

Potential for Addiction

Around 30% of cannabis users develop an addiction (cannabis use disorder). Failing to quit or choosing the drug over family activities are signs. This risk is higher for frequent teen users.