What Teens Are Really Asking In this episode, Kristina Campos and Jenny Colman dive deep into the digital world adolescents navigate today, revealing the unspoken questions and curiosities teens have about relationships, boundary-crossing behaviors, and online content. Rather than looking for "how-to" guides, data from the What's Okay helpline shows that teens are overwhelmingly asking "Is this normal?" regarding things they witness or experience in the digital space [03:01]. They discuss how to spot red flags wh Rate, Review, & Subscribe! "I love Kristina and all the FREE tips that she has to offer! Thank you for making my parenting journey better!" – If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you!!! Rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you're not subscribed, there's a good chance you'll miss out. Subscribe now! What to do next: Get The Impactful Parent App! Everything you need in your parenting journey in one spot! Available on the Android Play Store and the Apple Store. Search Impactful Parent (direct links listed above under Links in Episode). Follow The Impactful Parenton social media if you don’t already! Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, & Pinterest Subscribe to the PODCAST Check out the official website of The Impactful Parent for FREE RESOURCES, parenting classes, mom’s groups, and so much more! Click here to check it out! Discover how you can work with Kristina! Sign up for a FREE 30-minute discovery call! Click here to find a time that works best for you! Bottom Line... I am here for YOU! Contact me at theimpactfulparent@gmail.com ere healthy curiosity crosses into harmful behaviors, the protective boundaries parents can establish at home, and how to debunk the "internet stranger danger" myth by focusing on real peer-to-peer relationships [16:20]. Jenny Coleman is a clinician, educator, and dedicated child welfare advocate who serves as the director of Stop It Now!, a national prevention program focused on keeping children safe from sexual harm. Driven by the realization that youth frequently have complex, unaddressed questions about their own thoughts and digital exposures, she also directs What's Okay (whso.org), a pioneering, confidential, and judgment-free national helpline designed specifically for youth and teens. On The Impactful Parent, Jenny reveals that rather than seeking "how-to" advice, the overwhelming majority of teens reaching out to the helpline are simply asking, "Is this normal?" or "Is this okay?". She explains that because today's adolescents are heavily inundated with intense digital imagery, social media group chats, and adult content online, they frequently experience a confusing mix of curiosity and distress. Jenny emphasizes that beneath this overwhelming influx of data, teens genuinely want to make healthy, responsible relationship choices, but the fear of shame often drives their concerns underground—making confidential platforms like What's Okay a vital bridge to credible information and safe adults. #teenmentalhealth #teencopingskills #parenting Key Highlights & Timestamps [01:50] – The origin of the What's Okay helpline and addressing the gaps in resources for youth. [03:01] – The #1 theme from teen submissions: navigating confusion and looking for normalization in a high-exposure digital world. [05:01] – Defining normal adolescent development vs. concerning behaviors (identifying repetitive patterns, shifts in social skills, and isolation). [07:02] – The specific, advanced topics teens ask about (fetish behaviors, age gaps, anime content, and encountering illegal imagery). [14:37] – Barriers keeping youth from telling their parents about abuse or pressure (fear of blame, shame, and wanting to protect loved ones). [16:20] – The "Predator vs. Peer" reality: why the majority of boundary-crossing happens with known peers or relationships built online. [19:17] – Spotting red flags and establishing home safety rules around the unspoken topic of sibling sexual abuse. [21:49] – Practical safety infrastructures parents can set (physical boundaries, dressing expectations, and using anatomically correct language). [27:18] – Special discount offer for listeners: Use code IMPACT at stopitenow.org for 50% off the "Circles of Safety" foundational training bundle. [28:16] – The Impactful Parent Takeaway Script: A gentle, non-judgmental conversational guide parents can use tonight to learn more about their teen's online life without making it feel like an interrogation.
