TGIF, Happy Good Friday and welcome to the first edition of my Dr. Nikki’s Weekly Wrap-Up, where I highlight stories related to parenting and protecting childhood.
Swipe down to find out if:
Ron DeSantis is trying to take your parental rights.
Your teenager’s acne medicine is toxic.
What you wear might help you protect your daughter in sports.
The last story just might be a free parenting gift from me, but you’ll have to read on to find out.
Most importantly— Enjoy your weekend with those you love.
New Florida social media ban protects children but does take away some parental authority
Florida’s new law, Online Protections for Minors, will prohibit children under the age of 14 from creating accounts on social media, require parental consent for 14 and 15-year-olds, and require sites that show sexually explicit materials to validate age before allowing them to subscribe or view and upload content.
Most social media companies allow users 13 and older, so this law does limit parental discretion by one year. It also requires the companies to take responsibility for contracting with minors by enforcing their terms of service.
Common acne medicine may have high levels of cancer-causing agent
Benzoyl Peroxide is the active ingredient in most of the brand and generic acne products you buy at your local drugstore and is a first-line treatment recommended by the American Dermatology Association.
Valisure, an independent laboratory in Connecticut, reports finding extremely high levels of the compound benzene, a known carcinogenic agent, in several brands of over-the-counter acne medications.
This lab claimed to find benzene levels 800 times the FDA limit of 2 parts per million!
The FDA has not recalled products since product companies and federal agencies are debating the proper testing method. Dr. John Barbieri, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, posted a statement about the problem on X and YouTube. While we await a decision by the FDA, he recommends that users of the products not store them at high temperatures and toss them before their expiration date.
New clothing line in support of female athletes
Open schools advocate Jennifer Sey launched her new clothing line in an announcement on X this week. The athlete and mother expressed her concern about the physical dangers and unfair advantage of trans-women participating in sports with girls. The new company has chosen women’s sports advocate/swimmer Riley Gaines as one of several spokesmodels. The line is called XX-XY Athletics and has clothing for women and men.
Addiction to phones and mental illness in youth
The New York Post featured author Jonathan Haidt in an article about the link between mental illness and phone addiction. The author and social psychologist argues that “smartphones and social media have contributed to a great rewiring of childhood — causing sleep deprivation, social deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction and spiritual degradation.”
I haven’t read the book, but I have seen studies that agree with Haidt. So, when your kid asks why you’re restricting their screen and device time, feel free to blame Dr. Nikki.
You’re welcome!
Recently released books for parents.
Abigail Shrier Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up
Jonathan Haidt The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Great information. Thank you!!