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A recent report, that should concern any parent, noted that more youth aged 19 and below committed sexual crimes in 2023, 470 to be exact, about 30 per cent more than in 2022.
One of the main reasons cited was their exposure to pornography. According to experts, research has shown that teens who view pornography are likely to experience greater emotional and behavioural problems, earlier sexual experimentation, greater sexual permissiveness, greater objectification of women, and higher risk of sexual aggression.
It is indeed an urgent call for parents to see what we can do to protect our kids from becoming abusers or abused. Here are some points as to what we can do to help our children in this area.
Resources:
1. The Toxic Nature of P**n: https://www.ruahwoodsinstitute.org/the-toxic-nature-of-porn/
2. Understanding Pornography and Its Effects on Us and Our Children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk1u8q1CUsg
3. Protecting Our Children from Pornography: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLzet2NkWqU
4. Introduction to Sexuality Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZLE3DSfGg
5. Talking to Our Children About Sexuality: https://catholicparents.online/episodes/sexuality/
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The Ministry of Health released new screen time guidelines for children in 2023.
In this interview, Ms Natalie Lim, Principal Psychologist, shares with us how these guidelines can be implemented for our children.
In addition, she shares with us how she and her husband help their teens manage screen time as well.
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It is always heartening to hear from teens as to how we can use social media safely and responsibly. Here is some advice from some teens to others as to how they can do just that.
Resources
Best advice from teen girls on the use of social media: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/best-advice-from-teen-girls-on-the-use-of-social-media 
Episode 37 — Helping Our Children Manage the Digital World: https://catholicparents.online/2022/10/07/episode-37-manage-the-digital-world/
Episode 38 — Helping Our Children Manage Screen Time: https://catholicparents.online/2022/10/21/episode-38-managing-screen-time/
Episode 39 — Managing Digital Devices: https://catholicparents.online/2022/10/28/episode-39-managing-digital-devices/
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One of the best ways we can be gift to our children is by living a sacramental marriage founded on the love of Christ and His Church. And many of us have entered marriage thinking that it would be a case of "living happily ever after".
However, experience tells us it is anything but. The fact is, ups and downs abound in any marriage. Yet through the challenges and vicissitudes of married life, we have the choice to become bitter or better for it. Which do we choose?
Through this interview, Alphonsus and Cyrine Gregory share with us the challenges of marriage, and how we can make the choice to make ourselves and each other better for it, through the grace of God. 
Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at https://catholicparents.online/ 
Resources
1.    Worldwide Marriage Encounter Singapore: https://wwmesg.org/
2.    Couple Empowerment Programme Singapore: http://cep-sg.org/
3.    Couples for Christ Singapore: https://couplesforchrist.org.sg/
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A recent article in our local newspaper reported that about 800 students were referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for #vaping offences in 2022, a 16-fold increase from 2019. What is more, this seems to be an underestimate.
Another report suggested that up to 40 percent of residents in our universities' halls are using vaporisers, or vapes for short. Why are our young drawn to this practice which we know is hazardous to health? What can we parents do to help them avoid it?
Resources
"Connecting with Our Children" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuh8lSpQFgM
"Understanding Substance Abuse and Its Prevention" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu2qm8FR-eo
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Many of our children (and us parents) experience examination stress at some time or another. While we want to help our children perform well in school, we are also aware that, if such stress is not handled well, our children may be driven to rebellion, anxiety, depression, despair, or in the worst-case scenario, even suicide.
How can we help our children (and ourselves) manage examination stress? What should our attitude be towards examinations, and education in general? In this interview, Dr Penny Tok, a child psychologist in private practice, answers these questions, and more.
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