#or having poor social skills as a result of isolation

[fernpuku]

since yall liked it sm last time, here’s more doodles of dca being flirted with!!! close ups under the cut

i feel like my self insert looks and acts a little unhinged and it’s really funny to think about sun being judgmental towards them lmao

[ladykatibeth]

I feel like you can’t fully understand or analyze Stolas as a character unless you take into account the fact he spent his formative years with literally no social interaction aside from his father (who he barely saw) and servants, and then spent his adult life only really interacting with his emotionally abusive wife, and his daughter who was dependent on him.

If you do any analysis without that context you run the risk of misidentifying cause and result. The root cause of Stolas’s isolation isn’t necessarily poor social skills, the root cause of his poor social skills is being chronically isolated (and as an adult it’s become a kind of feedback loop, aided by his abusive wife’s deliberate isolating).

Just like you can’t separate Blitz’s issues from him losing his entire family due to an accidental fire he caused, you can’t separate Stolas’s issues from his intense life long isolation. They both don’t respond to life in healthy ways, because they developed their sense of selves and views of reality in extremely unusual circumstances!

If you don’t keep this in mind you get takes like “Stolas’s main issue is that he wants romcom romance.” When actually the main issue is that Stolas prior to Blitz had no actual relationship experience at all and only had tv shows and books to reference what it should look like.

That isn’t to say he doesn’t have character flaws he needs to work on, he does. It does mean that him dealing with it, will take a little bit more than just restructuring his view of himself. Some of the results of Blitz’s and Stolas’s past and upbringing will likely require life long management. They’ll occur less frequently, but they might never fully go away.

[zzencat]

5 Urgent Messages You Need To Hear Right Now - Current ⌛️

5 bullet points. Raw, honest, and on the go. What do you need to hear right now? Includes: what to work on, what to be wary of, warnings, hints, potential downsides + rock-bottom consequences.

For better accuracy: Clear your mind. Time is now patient and still. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, fill your chest up to the fullest, feel the soft air brush against the ridges of your nose. Breathe out.

From left to right. Breathe and choose.

——————————-

Pile 1. Not all is what they seem.

if something seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. you can either gain or lose what you have.

some of you will be greatly rewarded for your hard work. beware of who you share your abundance with. be even more careful with the information.

someone you know is two-faced. be careful who you trust. (for most of you, this is someone you know but feel indifferent towards or don’t consider close.)

keep an eye on your material possessions, especially ones that others may envy. don’t leave valuable things around without surveillance.

something that tempts you should be reconsidered—especially with money. weigh your options. count the pros and cons.

Hints: look for the signs, laziness, liars, manipulation, sneaking around, stealing, caught red-handed, someone acting poor, colleagues, fake friends, seemingly likable colleagues, greediness, homelessness (3x), people in power, parents, offers, scams, impulsive spending, pretending to care, bad and hidden intentions, fire signs, scams.

+ failing to do so results in: isolation, fear, anxiety, social withdrawal, unceasing paranoia, loss.

————————————

Pile 2. It’s time to grow up.

laziness is an issue. put effort in your work and prioritize your time wisely.

revenge is not worth it. this is a wake up call to mature and practice humility.

you are worth as much as everyone else. no one is higher or lower. death takes everyone either way.

not everything has to be a fight. not everyone is out to get you. work on defensiveness. learn to let go.

doing more research improves open-mindedness. don’t be afraid to be wrong.

Hints: wasting time on small issues; pettiness; too much time on social media; purposefully engaging in controversial topics; immaturity; gossip; sudden aggression or anger; playing up one’s own importance; merely one among billions; holding grudges; big ego; spoiled; hard time saying sorry; owning up to mistakes; nepotism; the wrong connections; narrow-mindedness, inability to accept criticism or differing views and opinions.

+ failing to do so may result in: being too competitive, poverty/unstable income, irresponsible, ignorant, “puppet,” that people laugh at, no close friends/family, missed opportunities, no control in life, boredom, ignoring hard facts and truths, lacking uniqueness, sheep of the herd, having no dreams, not achieving much, lack of focus, poor social life and skills, jumping on the bandwagon, poor mindset, unlikable personality traits, disingenuous, misery.

——————————

Pile 3. Balance is key.

take breaks from time to time (especially the workaholics.)

rebalance your life. too much of anything is bad.

work on confidence and self-esteem issues.

moving too fast isn’t always a good thing. you will miss what’s happening in the background.

become more resilient. learn to bounce back from bad situations or inconveniences. prepare for sudden heartbreaks.

Hints: not having enough time to appreciate what’s around you; relationship resentment; sudden losses; self- negligence; waiting until it’s too late; stability requires effort; not making time for others in your life; make time for yourself; not considering mental and physical health.

+ failing to do so may result in: unknowingly losing a connection, poor work-life balance, (I’m hearing static- idk why…), not giving attention to loved ones, unintentionally negligent, loneliness, poor adaptation skills, being forced to watch something inevitably fall apart, betrayal, dwelling in sadness, ghosting, confusion, neglected mental health, too long of a hiatus, stagnancy, poor health, poor-to-no social life, no growth in character, absolute ruin.

——————————

**Ending Teddy Note: Hey guys! Hopefully you took something from the reading. These were tough deliveries, but they had to be said. Remember to take what resonates and leave what doesn’t. Reblog or lemme know what you think. I appreciate the feedback. Rmr to stay hydrated!! 😎✌️

[goooofy-goooober1121]

TWST Overblot Boys from a Development Perspective - Riddle Rosehearts

Currently in uni studying human development from a psychological/neurological/cognitive standpoint and lowkey I want to analyze TWST's overblot boys (and Kalim) using my super cool Education™

(Also my ask box is open so pls send me asks! My guidelines are on my page)

So let's get into it!

When we look at Riddle's character, we need to first consider the environment he has grown up in, his identity development, and neurology-- and what that means for his psychological and cognitive processes.

Part 1: His Environment

As observed during his Overblot, Riddle grew up in an authoritarian household. His Groom-for-a-Day/Suitor Suit lines also imply that his parents do not get along. Both can have extensive psychological and cognitive impacts on his development.

It would be easiest to begin with his early-to-mid childhood experiences. Mrs. Rosehearts was obviously an authoritarian mother: strict rules, very punitive, a "because I said so" attitude while putting extensive pressure on work and effort. This parenting style is heavily associated with socially incompetent behavior; children raised on this parenting style are likely to perpetuate this cycle and become perpetrators of bullying. This can pretty obviously be reflected in Riddle's behavior over the course of Book 1; he is strict, punitive, and controlling, often acting like a bully when someone violates the rules. Additionally, children from dysfunctional families may also develop poor emotional regulation skills (outbursts and withdrawing from others) along with insecure attachment styles and low self-image (perhaps evidenced by his seemingly overzealous insecurity over his own height, for instance).

But why does he mimic his mother's behavior when it made him feel so awful in the first place?

There's a theory in child psychology that comes from a guy named Albert Bandura. This social learning theory states that individuals learn their behaviors by watching and imitating others, especially when those behaviors are perceived as beneficial. Riddle's mother was a doctor, so he must have interpreted her actions as the key to success and prestige, even if, in the moment, it hurt him.

His mother taught him that strictness and harshness is the proper way to show care and concern; this is therefore the idea he carries with him about what love (platonic or romantic) should be.

He may have also been conditioned by his mother through punishment. Positive punishment occurs when the punishment is added, like how his mother would make him study for extra time if he didn't achieve as much as she wanted him to that day. She also utilized negative punishment by taking away Riddle's ability to go out and play with Trey and Chen'ya.

Punishment, of course, is not necessarily wrong; parents objectively need to punish their kids to discipline and raise them. However, the issue arises mainly when said punishment becomes too extreme.

This leads me to my next point: lack of play. Play is so, so important in a child's path to developing into a healthy person. Play has several benefits to a child's cognition, contributing largely to the development of perspective taking, empathy, flexibility, and emotional regulation. Being completely and totally restricted from playing with his friends as a child contributed to Riddle's current-day personality. His isolation and lack of interaction with his peers resulted in his hot-headed, inflexible, and socially inept (taking things too seriously, being obsessed with rules) behavior evidenced throughout Book 1.

Because of his mother's actions, Riddle is cognitively stunted and was led down an unhealthy path of psychological and cognitive development.

And don't even get me STARTED on how she must have impacted his relationship with food by hyperanalyzing every meal she gave him lol.

Part 2: Identity Development

Riddle is regarded in-game as 17 years old; that places him right at the end of middle adolescence (14-17 years old). Lots of crazy things happen during middle adolescence, particularly in terms of identity and brain development.

According to Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, Riddle would be in the Identity vs. Role Confusion stage of life. This is the "who am I ?" stage, spanning from about 13-21 years old. Adolescents spend this time attempting to find out who they are; when resolved successfully, individuals come out with a strong sense of self, but when resolved unsuccessfully, individuals can feel lost, lacking self-definition and direction.

Additionally, James Marcia introduced the four stages of identity development:

Foreclosure - commitment without exploration

Diffusion - no commitment, no exploration

Moratorium - no commitment, but with exploration

Achievement - commitments and explorations have been achieved

So when we look at Riddle, we can draw from both theories. Riddle arguably doesn't know who he is for himself. His entire life has centered on what his mother wants for him; prior to his Overblot, he was stuck in the stage of Identity Foreclosure, in which he was committed to being an authoritarian, well-achieved leader (as influenced by his mother) but had no time to explore his options for himself. Combined with his insecure attachment and his stunted cognitive development due to his childhood experiences, deviation from this script is, predictably, distressful for him; this contributes to his outbursts whenever his authority was questioned. Post-Overblot, however, we can see that he's easing up and accepting that his mother maybe isn't the best person to be around (wow who would've thought). He's moving into Identity Moratorium; he's beginning to explore his options while letting go of his previous commitment (which is ultimately better for him in the long run).

Part 3: Neurology

I think it's important to also point out his neurological processes, too. Not in a "I think he's neurodivergent" way but in a "what are his brain structures" way.

See, when we grow into teenagers, our prefrontal cortex (PFC) actually is still developing. It's the brain structure associated with reasoning, decision making, and self-control. Several clinical studies such as this one also note that the PFC is heavily involved in emotional regulation.

And when your limbic system, specifically your amygdala, which is responsible for the processing of emotion, matures BEFORE the part of the brain meant for emotional regulation does, it leads to a lot of emotional behaviors such as Riddle's proneness to anger, along with impulsive actions such as Riddle's immediate response always being to collar someone rather than stop and think about their reasons for breaking a rule. It's like sending out a level 100 Regirock (limbic system) out against a level 2 Caterpie (PFC) lol.

This will probably be a common thread in all the OB boys but I think it's important to note how Riddle's neurological development affects his behavior.

IN CONCLUSION

Riddle's mom sucks

Riddle most likely has an insecure attachment style

Riddle is likely going through an identity crisis

He's a teenage boy going through teenage boy things (exacerbated by an unhealthy/emotionally abusive childhood)

[rae-butter]

Honestly, I want to see more of “MC who grew up poor” but like not in the traditional “girl meets royalty” way but in the dude who grew up in the wilds. Like bro is out here living in the forest, barely enough food, socially inept, mad combat skills, and totally batshit as a result of it. And before you say “read the hunger games” I don’t want this dude to have a loving family and an actual society. I want him to be utterly alone, isolated, but against his will—not a “I left society” but “society? Never heard of her”

[helmador]

Hello :D, ever since I saw the mentioning of Chains the Underdogs, as well as your comment about the dynamic between Silver, Turnbuckle, and Scroop, I have been very interested with how you interpret these characters. Is it okay for me to ask:

What are your headcanons and/or character analysis of Turnbuckle as well as your interpretation of the Zirrelian’s culture?

Hello! I actually have the most information for Zirrelians and Turnbuckle,, they’re my favorites, lol. I’ve been wanting to talk about CtU, but I haven’t been drawing lately xd. Here’s my headcanons for both (under cut) (I also didn’t proofread this so ignore the mistakes):

Zirrelians

According to the art book, Zirrelians are an octopus-based species, so I imagine they share many traits. The most prominent traits they share are the following:

Color changing - Originally for camouflage, it is now considered more of a traditional art form and extremely important communication device. Their color changing ability develops early in life as result of their diet. If a young Zirrelian had a good diet, their colors will be very vibrant; but if they had a poor diet, their color changing ability will be very dull or not even visible. Young Zirrelians use their colors to communicate personality and emotions to each other, making the skill extremely valuable to a young Zirrelians development and socialization. Radiation from solar winds can also cause defects in Zirrelians colors at any age, lessening their ability and colors as a whole- many Zirrelians in the Navy (aka, Battle at Procyon) have very dull skin for this reason.

Venomous bite - Like a majority of octopi, Zirrelians have a venomous bite. This venom is not fatal however, it is more of a paralyzing type, its effects were worse early on, but have died down since they found more “sophisticated” ways to hunt. Their venom is highly utilized in their society nonetheless, specifically for medicine, much like how rattlesnake venom is used for medicine.

Familial - Like female octopi, female Zirrelians are extremely overprotective of their young and defend them with their life. Naturally, Zirrelians are more on the solitary side of social practices, and when young Zirrelians reach their early teen years, they become independent.

(I also imagine that baby Zirrelians are very small, much like baby octopus, lol, someone depicted that here!)

For their home planet, Zirrelians are native to a (unnamed) oceanic planet. There is not many large land masses here, just islands scattered everywhere across the world. The terrain has many cliffs and the climate is Mediterranean based: arid-wet in most places with a handful of dry-desert islands. Due to the geography of the planet, they were originally a mostly aquatic species, but due to technology advances, they’ve now become more semi-aquatic.

Zirrelian culture is heavily based in Spanish- especially Southern Spanish- and Mediterranean culture (totally not projecting lol). Their architecture is very ostentatious, and they limit environmental damage as they hold nature at a high standard. Zirrelians are probably most well known for their cuisines, they are omnivores and their food is composed of mainly fish, insects, and native plants. In the film, I imagine the “Zirrelian Jellyworms” Sarah serves in her diner are a delicacy for the Zirrelians. Aside from food, they are a very creative species and utilize their color changing abilities in art. In general, their art history is very rich and they are definitely one of the more “colorful” societies.

Now, with that out of the way, here’s how I imagine Turnbuckle:

Turnbuckle

Backstory: Yoel Turnbuckle (full legal name oh ehm gee) was the only child of his mother, he is also unaware of who his father is. He grew up in poverty, and never developed his colors as a result of poor living conditions, leaving him a dull green color his entire life. This caused him to be isolated from other Zirrelians since he could never properly socialize with them without colors. Growing up, he felt very lonely and ended up forming a very strong bond with his mother.

After a few years, him and his mother eventually moved to a new planet since they could not afford much. This is where Turnbuckle ends up staying most of his life: Pelsanor, a prairie land planet covered in many small water sources (think the midwest region of the US in a way).

Unfortunately, his time with his mother was cut very short on this planet. Pelsanor may be a nice place, however, its poor society has resulted in much crime. Turnbuckle was separated from her after being perused by poachers in the reason (as Zirrelians are commonly poached for their color changing coats and venom). He never saw his mother again after this, and her whereabouts still remain unknown. He assumes she’s dead, as much as he doesn’t want to.

Being left with no one at such a young age really wrecked him, for most of his teen years he offered to aid sailors and was an engineers mate on a train. From his minimal cabin boy years, he learned how the helm of the ship works along with steering and galactic navigation, as an engineers mate, he learned basic properties of solar power and how it’s utilized on both trains and ships. Turnbuckle was never able to gain a ship of his own though, and being with practically no income or stable home, he was unable to get a real job. It wasn’t long until he resorted to stealing, at least this way he had some source of income and food, and as some of the others on Pelsanor, he became another bandit in the region.

Fast forward a few years, John Silver had been exiled from Ironbeard’s crew and had fled on a longboat after his old crew and Captain essentially thrown him out via attacking him . The longboat he’d fled on had been damaged in the process, where he soon crashed on Pelsanor.

Turnbuckle was the first one he met on this planet, he found Silver wandering the plains a few hours after his crash. They started off as strangers, Turnbuckle only bringing Silver to a nearby town so he could at least eat, but the two started staying near each other over time. One had what the other didn’t: Silver was a strong leader, savvy, brave, and had good charms and wits. Turnbuckle was loyal, introspective, cautious, and cynical.

With neither having a ship, they became a bandit duo Pelsanor, notorious for robbing many trains.

-

Overview: Turnbuckle was definitely and still is more fond of Silver than anyone else in the crew, that is why he was chosen as his First Mate (that and being the first one Silver fully trusted). However, Silver is too hellbent on finding Treasure Planet that he doesn’t acknowledge Turnbuckle’s presence commonly. Turnbuckle isn’t focused much on the actual Treasure Planet, but what will come after it: Will Silver abandon his crew after he finally finds it? Will he continue his piracy? And most importantly, how will this affect his “need” for his crew? After all, they spent the past 20+ years finding this place and this place only.

Turnbuckle wants to stay with Silver, the Ursid was the first being that Turnbuckle had become attached to aside from his mother. Being isolated his entire life hadn’t done a good deal to him at all, and now, if the man he’s spent what is practically most of his adulthood with leaves him for some riches, what then?

It was something he’d approached Silver about multiple times, but he never got a defined answer. Silver’s greed was slowly growing over him as he aged, he wanted Treasure Planet at all costs, which had caused his relationship with Turnbuckle gradually lose some of his closeness. In fact, Turnbuckle was even neglected by him at some points. Despite Silver’s worsening behavior, Turnbuckle still remained heavily loyal to him.

-

Film (and some Battle at Procyon):

Turnbuckle willingly agreed to Silver’s plan to pose as a crew, relieved at the thought of their search finally being over after all these years (note, they were roughly in their mid to late 20s when they met. Canonically in film time, they’re both in their mid 50s).

However, as the events of the film progress, it doesn’t take long to realize that Silver is softening up to Jim. Understandably, Turnbuckle is upset by this. He’d been with Silver since the beginning, never had Silver ever softened up to him in such a way, but now he’s softening up to some random boy he’d just met? Turnbuckle never acts on his disdain for Jim (unlike the other pirates, especially Scroop), if they were to finally reach their goal, why would he want to possibly risk his relationship with Silver becoming more distant? And after all, maybe this was just a temporary relationship his Captain and Jim built.

As the voyage progressed though, more tension did arise. Turnbuckle never liked Jim- he was jealous of his relationship with Silver. Silver could recall more touching moments he’s had with Jim in the past few months than he did with Turnbuckle in the past 25 years. And this became surprisingly obvious during the mutiny- Silver refusing to shoot Jim after he got the (fake) map, and Silver trying to stop the canon that was aiming to shoot down the longboat Jim, Amelia, and Delbert were all escaping in.

Come the actual Treasure Planet, when Silver tried to push away his care for Jim, it was right back to the original thing that he neglected Turnbuckle for- his greed. Essentially, he was too infatuated with the actual physical treasure that when the planet started falling apart, he was more concerned for all the Treasure being destroyed rather than half of his crew literally dying.

Now, I know Turnbuckle technically died, however, I accept all events of Battle at Procyon canon. So, he survived Treasure Planet (also this because I’m biased and he is my fav character lol), but in my canon he has many injuries that are not depicted in BaP.

I imagine he originally visited Silver in the Procyon prison to break him out. Treasure Planet was finally over, he could be with Silver again- just like they started out. But no, Silver’s only concern now is Jim, and he gives Turnbuckle the Dark Matter clump to warn Jim of the ironclads.

Turnbuckle reluctantly agrees to this, maybe after THIS then they’d finally be back together. Of course, Turnbuckle risked his freedom to deliver the Dark Matter to Jim, and was arrested. At this point, I imagine Turnbuckle escaped prison, but guess what? Silver is dead. He died SAVING JIM. So what now? Turnbuckle is back to the beginning, most of the crew is dead or has unknown whereabouts, now he’s back to being lonely.

-

There is so much more I could say about Turnbuckle as I have so much ideas and headcanons for him (as well as the Zirrelian species), but I believe this bit should answer your questions!!

[chaifootsteps]

saw someone point out something I should have realized before

stans keep excusing Stolas ignoring Blitzo's boundaries/protests as him having 'poor social skills'

but why does he have poor social skills? how is it even possible? he's a royal demon with legions at his disposal and a palace full of guards & servants

he doesn't like parties but he still goes to them and presumably his royal duties (what little there are of them) consist mostly of going places and talking to people

how is it possible he has bad social skills when a key tenant of being royal usually involves training specifically around interacting with other people??

this is probably, like most things, the result of Viv's lousy worldbuilding. we're two seasons deep and it's impossible to tell what being a Goetia actually means on the day to day.

the impression the show gives is that Stolas grew up alone (for no reason, how does this benefit the Goetia family to isolate one of their princes this much?) and would spend most days alone were it not for his daughter still living with him. what his routine even is day to day is unclear, he doesn't seem to have any consistent duties that take up his time so he just lounges around reading or doing basically what he feels like

the most we ever get to see of his duties is the harvest moon festival (which is only once a year) and him doing some kind of paperwork in the Look my way MV.

Viv probably wanted to make him look lonely and friendless but she's just made him look like a lazy layabout who's bad with people for no real reason and doesn't bother using his power or opportunities to improve himself even though there's nothing stopping him (seriously, he whines about being alone but can't bring himself to leave the house and meet people? even when the show is totally inconsistent about whether his being royalty even matters for interacting with others from episode to episode? and if it's as a result of his depression which he's medicating for, how did he keep finding the energy and motivation to harass Blitz into sleeping with him?)

I know I bring him up more than I should, but this is yet another point in Instagram Stolas's corner. The guy communicated like you'd expect a royal to have been meticulously trained to communicate, always polite and very precise. Series Stolas's day job, from what we've seen, has consisted of paperwork, attending the Harvest Moon Festival, and insulting his subjects.

A better writer would explore the fact that Stolas, despite thinking of himself as kind and lonely and tragically friendless, drives away potential friends with his callousness and insensitivity towards their feelings...and Stella, despite being an deeply embittered person, attends parties and tea parties, and is always shown to be surrounded by friends.

[chemzee]

lil doodle of Morgan's Y4 appearance (or at least, his first appearance, which was during November-December)

ALSO!!! using this as an opportunity to post his updated lore. I didn't like his original lore at all, so I rewrote it practically from scratch.

It's going to be really long tho so here we go

✨🌙✨

Ok so I'll start off by saying Morgan's family is no longer cursed, nor are most of them dead, only Morgan being affected and not just randomly at some point of his life, but rather he was already born sickly (whenever it's somehow related with magic or some curse is still up for me to decide,but now, he's just a sick child whose illness (which is kinda fictional but resemblances anemia) while not terminal,does affect him quite a lot). I decided to get rid of that concept entirely and rewrite the dynamic Morgan has with his family, esp his uncle.

Other than scary, that experience was very isolating: he was sheltered all his life before going to Hogwarts, having absolutely no friends at all, which resulted in him developing no social skills at all. He wasn't particularly close to his family either, with perhaps an exception of his uncle, whowas more of his tutor/teacher.

Now, as I mentioned before, Morgan was born a very sickly child, having lots of heart and blood issues. He spent a good chunk of his childhood in bed and hospitals, constantly falling very ill, to the point of falling in coma/almost dying at least several times during that period of time. Fortunately, by the time he got into Hogwarts, his condition got manageable and he could live a relatively normal life, although he would often feel unwell, some days better, some days worse.

But being on verge of death so many times, especially as such a young child was a very scary and traumatizing experience for him, but a part of him grew accepting of death, coming to terms with the fact he probably won't live much shorter life compared to his peers (not talking about dying at 20-30, but rather ~50 now, a lil more if he gets lucky).

Whenever he wasn't in the hospital, he'd spent most of his time reading books, his favorite ones were horror novels and astronomy books, the later becoming a big interest of his. At around 8 years old, he started to write his own short stories, taking inspiration in the horror novels he read and they often were rather disturbing in nature. Or so his parents thought. He stopped sharing his writings with his family at some point bc he could tell they didn't like them much.

However, he does still live through the death of some of his relatives, witnessing one of them, which was of his uncle. After that, he started taking interest in necromancy (soon disappointed he can't really make someone truly alive again) and then it escalated to interest in dark arts in general. He'd read upon biographies of dark wizards and their crimes, but purely from theoretical standpoint. He found it interesting what pushes people to commit such terrible crimes.

When Morgan got to Hogwarts, his poor social skills didn't do him much good: he had a lot of troubles socializing, he was seen as weird and creepy, especially because of his interests. He had no friends there, being a "weird loner kid" throughout hus first few years there and even though he doesn't mind being alone due to being an intovert, he craved to find someone who'd understand him, somewhere to belong, a friend.

By the time of Y2/3, he came up wirh an idea of his own book: about a prisoner in Azkaban who reminisces his life, how from a kind-hearted teacher he became a dark arts user and necromancer. He started to do his research, especially about Azkaban and it's when he developed his strong distaste for the imprisonment system MoM imposed.

The more he researched, the more he was convinced on how nonsensical the system was: why lock up ALL criminals in the same place? Why lock up petty thieves, who perhaps only did that to support themselves due to economical issues with dangerous dark wizards, the worst kind of people on Earth? Why punish people who had no other choice so cruelly rather than help them? Why is there only one prison? Why not build rehabilitation centers? Why make people suffer for their crimes hoping they won't commit them again, rather than understand what pushed them to commit them in the first place and help prevent that from happening?

At some point, he approached one of Slytherin prefects, the one he knew was a son of a minister and aspired to become one day too, Joaquin Reedus, to ask him what he thought of idea of reforming the system to create rehabilitation centres for petty criminals, so they would have to stay in Azkaban of all places. Reedus was intrigued by this young boy and his idea and told him that he'll think about his proposal. And then, after a few days, decided to ask if he was interested in joining a group that opposes sone of ministry's ways (without mentioning the group's name).

Morgan, very young and naive, saw it as hid opportunity to find people who thought alike, people who would accept him, to find people he'd be able to call his friends. And so, he agreed.

The group was NOTME.

And unfortunately, that group was not as considerate as Morgan hoped they'd be.

[weirdowithaquill]

Hello Weirdo! I hope all is well on your end✨

Coming off of reading “The Ffestiniog engines,” I was actually a bit surprised at how some aspects of Duke’s treatment/relationships with his classmates (Those are NOT his siblings dammit) matched with some stray headcanons I came up with for if CR no. 123 (The ‘Caledonian Single’) was a character in the RWS/ERS-verse.

This unique engine was initially built as an exhibition piece to represent the Caledonian Railway and its Chief Engineer at the International Expo of industry, science and art. So that means looking fancy and maybe pulling some coaches for show. And that got me thinking……if the engine is sentient, how would that affect it?

Like I was thinking, would this guy get lonely? He doesn’t have any siblings, and his intended purpose might’ve resulted in him getting isolated from the rest of his relatives and most other engines. And given that he wasn’t built to work, would said relatives think poorly of him? Kinda like the same mindset the rest of the George Englands have towards Duke being built to win a competition. Like “While we’re out here actually doing the work, he was built to just sit there and look pretty for the humans.” Might also result in him having poor mental health. And since he was constructed during the Victorian era, when attitudes towards that sorta thing were not very charitable…..I don’t think any mental health issues he may or may not have would be taken seriously, especially if like in your book about Duke’s origins, owners believe in the notion that “Engines should be seen and not be heard.” I can also kinda see him not having the greatest social skills around other engines?

But hey, no. 123 did eventually gain fame during the Race to the North in 1888, and even after grouping, proved to be a fast and reliable engine when put into regular service, and was the last Single-type express engine running in the UK. So I guess he got the last laugh.

Or maybe this is just me being unnecessarily angsty about an engine 😅

Hi!

"I hope all is well on your end" - well... I got sick literally the same day I got this ask and spent the last 3 or so days in bed. Whoops...

Anywho! Caledonian 123 is such an interesting locomotive, and I feel like you've really given a lot of thought to how the poor engine being the only member of their class would affect them - though if I may, I'd like to throw out a slightly alternative idea.

Stick with me!

Ok - so CR. 123 was built in 1886 for a major international exhibition being held in Edinburgh. And back then, these international exhibitions were big deals for railway companies. The LBSCR sent multiple engines abroad (such as LBSCR Edward Blount) to win medals at these international exhibitions. And while the Edinburgh exhibition wasn't quite as big or grand as the Paris exhibition, it was a matter of railway (and national) pride for the Caledonian to send a locomotive.

This all wouldn't mean quite so much if CR. 123 hadn't won a gold medal at said exhibition, which would have - to the Victorian engines - been paramount to winning the train Olympics. CR. 123 instantly becomes the biggest star on the line (much to the enragement of the 66 Class 4-4-0s that felt like this 'modern relic' shouldn't have represented the railway).

This stardom is only improved when CR. 123 becomes practically the only Caledonian engine upholding the railway's honour during the Race to the North of 1888. Due to their fast speed and surprising strength (they could climb to Beattock Summit, which is the highest point on the entire WCML), they would only improve their image. After all, both the exhibition and the Race occur within two years of each other, and would probably have defined Caledonian Railway spirit for a generation of engines.

Then, they go on to become the favoured pilot engine for the Royal Train, which often travelled via the Caledonian Railway to get to Balmoral Castle - which would have been the highest of honours during the Victorian era.

And so CR. 123 becomes something of a Caledonian Railway star.

Note I said Caledonian Railway.

Once the Grouping happens, Caledonian engines were some of the first on the chopping block on the LNWR and MR dominated LMS. And while the Midland engines (which would've included the Johnson Spinners at this time) would have been more amenable to CR. 123 than the LNWR, by the time 1930 rolls around and CR. 123 is put into service as a regular engine again - they're all gone too. It's only the newer, bigger, English engines.

And I think it's in this time period: 1930 to 1935, when CR. 123 is painted in LMS black and running regular services as an outcast on the network, that they suffer from mental health issues. Especially cause this is the Great Depression era, when the elegance and showmanship of the Victorian railways is long gone and replaced by efficiency and hardline competition.

CR. 123 would likely gain a lot more popularity in 1935 when their image is revamped by the LMS (which is about to preserve the old engine) to become a symbol of the West Coast - East Coast rivalry.

But that's just my thoughts! CR. 123 is such a beautiful and fascinating engine, and this ask made me do some research into them (and by extension World Expositions - did you know that the LBSCR B1 Edward Blount and the Eiffel Tower both won gold medals at the same Exposition Universelle of 1889?)

Thank you for sharing your headcanon, and for putting up with mine!

[iscariocs]

Eve

Eve was raised isolated in a cult until found by Gunn after she stumbled upon Eve attempting to escape. Since then, they have been traveling together, looking for Gunn's father.

PERSONALITY

Eve was raised with the idea that she should be seen not heard. As a result, she backtracks before saying anything to anyone. When she does speak, it's evident that her upbringing gave her poor social skills. Awkward and uncertain as ever, Eve is really trying her best.

She is very interested in almost everything around her, just quietly. Eve grew up in the same small area for her entire life; aka she is extremely sheltered when it comes to the real world. Reminiscent of a baby deer with her gangly legs and curious eyes.

OTHER

It's kind of hard to see here, but she does have a toothgap!

Gfs with Gunn <3 (eventually...it takes some work)

\/Eve's Pinterest Board\/

[midwesterngothicmomus]

Gunnlöð

Guardian of the Mead of Poetry, Jötunn

Appearance: Gunnlöð has dark skin with vitiligo and brown hair in a shorter cut. Her eyes are light blue and often described as too knowing due to her long-term exposure to the magic associated with the mead of poetry. She appears somewhat young and is the second youngest of Odin’s brides.

Relationships: Gunnlöð was disowned by her father, Suttungr, after she slept with Odin, allowing him to acquire the mead. As a result, she is extremely loyal to Odin, as she feels she has no one else to rely on. However, her feelings cannot be described as romantic love. She has one son with him, Bragi, who is married to the goddess Idun both of whom she is quite fond of. She often spends time with Rindr or carries out tasks for Frigg.

Personality: Gunnlöð often struggles with social interactions due to her many years of isolation guarding the mead of poetry. She is very excitable, and her mood can change quickly. However, she is very clever, especially in combat situations. She is extremely loyal to Odin and will follow his orders even to the point of personal detriment due to her feeling as if she owes him a life debt for taking her in after her father disowned her.

She is quite fond of the other members of Odin’s family and regards herself as a protector of the family. She is also extremely protective of those she deems weaker than her and will go to great lengths to protect them, such as pushing Odin into a pit full of lava Jörð made to keep him away from Rindr. Though she did apologize while doing so.

Powers: Gunnlöð is extremely good at handling weapons of all kinds and very fast. She has an excellent mind for tactics and often catches others by surprise. Her memory is perfect, and she is skilled at poetry and singing.

History: Gunnlöð was sent to guard the mead of poetry by her father and spent many years in isolation until Odin arrived. She agreed to let him have three sips in exchange for spending three nights with her. Odin instead drank it all and Gunnlöð was disowned by her father. Odin however took responsibility and brought her back as a wife. Due to her unique upbringing and long period of isolation, Gunnlöð struggles to play the role of lady and more often serves as a guard of the house. Frigg often manipulates her to do tasks for her by claiming it will help Odin or is his will. Gunnlöð is aware she is being used however she sees no harm in helping Frigg and enjoys “being included”. She is also known for her poor safety record when it comes to training, however when Þrúðr wanted to learn to fight alongside her brothers, Gunnlöð immediately volunteered to teach her leaving Thor no choice but to train his daughter lest she train with Gunnlöð.

Trivia: Gunnlöð has more than once accidentally “stolen” books by memorizing the contents at a glance and writing them down later.

[centipedve]

we would never draw an entire field of flowers for an idea sketch. we're not like that. we wouldn't

anywsys we were gonna like ramble about fourth layer when we had our designs done buuut blessed cultcom is a bit harder to design than we thought they'd be. so erm. they will come. later.

"connor centipedve what about the third layer" says nobody. well we're not done so we;re skipping it right now. spits on you

FOURT LAYER aka MORBALISM and COMMUNALISM

communalism was born in the abyss and has never ascended outside of it (ma de in abyss? title drop? so awesome) so they became a lot more adept at surviving the creatures that terrorize the layer + navigating it + coping with the strains than most black whistles are capable of at a young age. since they weren't born in Society they don't have a whistle and are entirely freeballing it.

they have become incredibly accustomed to the behaviors of orb piercers and are able to kill them in some rare circumstances, but most of the time they just focus on making sure they don't get killed themselves, which is already a feat. they collect needles and harvest poison to create a cloak and have used wood to mimic the orb piercer's exposed organ as a mask. they use these items both as a disguise to keep their identity hidden from delvers passing through and as a defensive method against the same delvers.

due to their isolation mixed with a desire to have human company, they tend to be very overly talkative and open with anyone who proves themselves to not be a threat, though they struggle with keeping those people around as a result of their poor social skills. not to mention, most are unwilling to stay on the fourth layer.

moralism comes from a small religious group originating far from the island around the abyss. after being rejected from society at large, the group travelled to the island and sought to live within the abyss to remain as isolated as possible and develop on their own. moralism was fairly young when this occurred.

the group managed through the first three layers, but on the fourth, the entire group was slaughtered by an orb piercer they were entirely unprepared for. moralism was the sole survivor after being rescued by communalism, though the two were both hit with severe strains to get moralism to safety. moralism was much more severely affected, as he was not yet used to quite mundane things such as (checks notes) bleeding out of your eyes.

due to no longer having a family or anywhere to come home, moralism decided to live with communalism, much to their pleasure. communalism dedicated themselves to protecting moralism, and the two became entirely inseparable as they grew older.

(slightly spoilery for the anime from this point on? lol)

eventually, communalism discovered an artifact which served the opposite effect of the zoaholic with the same consequence - they could enable multiple consciousnesses in a single body at the cost of their sanity, though they were entirely unaware of the side effect. having no use for it, it was nearly forgotten about, until communalism realized they could use it to preserve the minds of people dying from orb piercer poison with no chance of being treated. as such, they began to become multiple, taking on the souls of those they couldn't save and leaving the bodies behind. moralism was dismayed as they slowly began to change, not only in personality, but in capabilities, as their mental fortitude started to slowly but surely decline.

but the two still survived, as moralism refused to abandon communalism regardless.

(okay now major spoilery for the anime even tho we still gonna be vague. you guys need to watch it its so good...)

eventually, they decided to descend to the fifth layer after many years in order to receive the protection of ingsoc. such protection was granted, and the two lived in luxury for awhile, until ingsoc decided to turn communalism into a weapon to assist in his desires. he used a cartridge full of love and set communalism to ascend from the top of the sixth layer without informing them of what was really going on.

as a result of the blessing, they also received a life reverberating stone, making them a white whistle.

they were consumed by rage and became nothing but a vessel for hate after finding out what ingsoc did, and ascended back into the fourth layer by reigning in control of the fifth layer's strains and returned back to the home they shared with moralism.

they were affectionately dubbed the sovereign of roses after receiving their white whistle by ingsoc, which made them hate the title. as communalism fled and failed to become a weapon for ingsoc, he was left with a need to create another, though has yet to find a suitable person who was as capable of receiving a blessing as communalism.

[villainessbian]

The fun thing is I just left a class that teaches about how digital technologies (specifically screens, smartphones, social media) are affecting our lives and while the advice is good, and we do need to spend less time on smartphones, the reasoning behind it here is entirely bullshit. The link provided by OP has all this:

True, the APA doesn't officially recognise "phone addiction." The use of the term should stop there tbh.

Sleep deficit - is caused by the backlights, not "addiction." Stress - is incredibly hard to attribute. Lower concentration - is not caused by phones alone. You can damage your ability to focus by keeping it (or something else) as a constant distraction, think "looking at my phone while watching a film" but it's not anything to do with addiction. Loneliness - is a symptom of being lonely, not of phone overuse. It's the type of usage that changes this. It's the lack of seeing your friends. "Creativity blocks" - are the single least possible thing to study and put in an attempt at measuring smartphone addiction. The feeling of insecurity - is a result of social media behaviour... or of media framing and selection of events. "Aggravated ADD" [sic] - is a half-truth about heavy smartphone use. ADHD and autism are correlated with social difficulties. Give autistic or ADHD-having kids an out from social situations that are overwhelmingly negative, and give them tools whose logic is incredibly more in line with their own, and they'll lose themselves in those, skipping out on many interactions that would drive them to mask more. They also will train certain mitigation skills less, which means that what is perceived as "the progression of the condition" with time, which would otherwise be in line with the rest of their skills, is in advance of the rest of their skills. They're exactly as neurodivergent as before, it's just that they pick up fewer tools to hide it and may be more isolated at parts of their development when it would have made it easier to still try and socialise. Impaired relationships - are a mix of the age-old "you're not with us, no one talks any more" thing that was also said about portable cassette players, the gameboy, newspapers and pocket format novels... and the actual reality of how connecting through a screen does not maintain relationships as well as meeting up in person when you have the possibility. Anxiety - yeah that's a result of what you see on your phone, not of "the addiction" unless you read too many fake sources about how it's totally a real addiction that will destroy your brain Poor grades - is more sensationalistic scare-you-with-my-words bullshit. Can you imagine this being used for literally any real addiction? Can you imagine if someone said "careful, heroin addiction may lead to poor grades"? Even DARE wouldn't do that, would they? "Reduced cognition" - doesn't mean a lot and, no. If anything, we're overstimulated by screens, we're not made lethargic and incapable of thought. "Psychological disorders" - like, say, a behavioural addiction? Careful, psychological disorders may lead to psychological disorders! Well, if the latter are real ones then maybe we'll listen. In the meantime, what about other stuff like looking into what psychological disorders are caused by what. Will I develop Münchhausen by proxy if I download instagram or what?

The GABA stuff deserves more research as to what exactly is causing it, but basically its higher concentration in a certain brain zone correlates with heavier use of smartphones and screens in general and with higher levels of drowsiness and anxiety. GABA normally inhibits (blocks) certain signals, but what exactly is happening isn't fully known. It's certain that smartphone overuse has bad effects, and makes you have more GABA here. Which way the causation goes isn't even that obvious.

Sensationalistic BS and wild speculation aside, just give yourself an hour without screens every day. In the middle of the day or after getting home. It'll be good for your eyes, for your overall physical health, for everything you have. Maybe fix that text neck.

I wish it was easier to talk about mobile phone addiction without sounding like a boomer

[nursingwriter]

Rejected Children Up to 15% of children can be classified as being rejected or rejected-aggressive based on their difficult peer relationships (464). Rejected children exhibit a number of behaviors and characteristics ranging from anxiety and conceit to withdrawal and aggression. Excessive dependence on adults, bitterness or sarcasm toward others, and social indifference are also features of rejected children's behaviors (464). Rejected children are often underachievers who do poorly in school and might develop learning disabilities. In particular, when rejected children show signs of aggression, they tend to experience severe adjustment problems in school or with peers. Rejected-aggressive children exhibit a tendency to be argumentative and disruptive in school and demonstrate a lack of control over their aggressive reactions. In fact, the rejected child may expect or even perceive positive feedback from their behavior and therefore overestimate their social competence. Rejected-aggressive children perceive their actions as being appropriate to the situation. Moreover, rejected-aggressive children often misconstrue the actions or words of others as being threatening or hostile and react with corresponding aggression: they overperceive others' aggression and underperceive their own (465). Because of the nature of their behavior, the sense of rejection is reinforced and the child will often feel lonely and isolated in social situations. However, in many cases a rejected-aggressive child will bond with other peers who demonstrate and reinforce similar behaviors. At home, rejected-aggressive children are more likely to talk back to their parents or retaliate if physical punishments are used. If these behaviors or tendencies are ignored or unchecked, they may persist into adolescence and lead to serious social problems. The causes of rejected-aggressive behavior include poor parental relationships, especially poor relationships with the father. The use of physical punishment is linked with rejected-aggressive behaviors, as the child is likely to imitate the parents' aggressive behavior at home and with peers. Also, parents of rejected-aggressive children tend to use verbal threats and are more likely to initiate aggression at home. Another cause of rejected-aggressive behavior is peer modeling: rejected-aggressive kids are likely to hang out with other rejected-aggressive kids and the behavior builds upon itself through reinforcement and imitation. Violence in the media may also be a causal factor of rejected-aggressive behavior, and genetics could be a factor as well. Rejected-aggressive children unfortunately have trouble changing their behavior; their social status remains relatively unchanged over the course of their psycho-social development. This is partly due to their continued reputation for being aggressive with others, and to resulting self-fulfilling prophesies. However, even when rejected-aggressive children join new peer groups they may exhibit their anti-social or disruptive behaviors. Rejected-aggressive children tend to have delinquency problems such as run-ins with law enforcement, truancy at school, school suspensions, and dropping out of school. Mental health issues associated with rejected-aggressive children include substance abuse as well as low self-esteem. In general rejected-aggressive kids might continue to exhibit general anti-social behaviors, poor peer relationships, and poor academic skills throughout adolescence. Treatment of rejected-aggressive behaviors in children would focus on altering their experiences and perceptions of others. Counselors should try to help the child more accurately perceive the intentions and actions of others as being less hostile so as to not trigger an aggressive response. Reducing rejection sensitivity is a key factor in treatment. Also, much care and attention should be given to the child's parents, who should not resort to using physical punishments.   https://www.paperdue.com/customer/paper/rejected-child-characteristics-causes-and-59988#:~:text=Logout-,RejectedChildCharacteristicsCausesandEffectiveTreatmentStrategies,-Length2pages Read the full article

[samritiwrites]

Performance, Image, and Exposure: The Keys to Career Success

In today’s fast-paced professional world, excelling in your career requires more than just hard work. To truly stand out and advance, you need to understand the powerful trio of performance, image, and exposure (P.I.E.). These three elements work together to shape how others perceive you and determine the opportunities that come your way. Mastering P.I.E. can be the difference between being overlooked and achieving your career aspirations.

Understanding Performance, Image, and Exposure

The P.I.E. model was developed to highlight what truly impacts career success. While many believe that performance alone drives advancement, research shows that performance only accounts for 10% of career growth, while image makes up 30%, and exposure influences a staggering 60%. Let’s break down each element:

1. Performance: The Foundation of Success

Performance is the work you do—the quality of your output, your efficiency, and your ability to deliver results. Without strong performance, it’s difficult to build a credible career. However, performance alone is not enough.

To enhance your performance:

Set clear goals and track your progress.

Seek feedback and continuously improve your skills.

Go beyond expectations by taking initiative.

Stay updated with industry trends and advancements.

2. Image: How You Are Perceived

Your professional image is the way others see you—your confidence, competence, and credibility. It encompasses everything from your communication style to your personal brand.

To improve your image:

Dress appropriately and professionally for your industry.

Communicate with clarity and confidence.

Build a reputation for integrity and reliability.

Showcase your expertise through thought leadership (e.g., writing articles, speaking at events).

3. Exposure: Who Knows You and Your Work

Exposure is about visibility—who knows about your work, skills, and potential. You may be great at your job, but if key decision-makers don’t know who you are, opportunities will pass you by.

To increase your exposure:

Network with influential people in your industry.

Seek mentorship from experienced professionals (Platforms like Roots Inspire connect individuals with mentors who can help accelerate career growth).

Volunteer for high-visibility projects.

Use social media and professional platforms like LinkedIn to share insights and achievements.

The Power of Balancing Performance, Image, and Exposure

Relying too much on one element of P.I.E. can lead to career stagnation. Here’s what happens when one area is neglected:

Great performance but low exposure: You may work hard, but if no one knows about your contributions, you won’t get promoted.

Strong image but weak performance: You may have a charismatic presence, but if you don’t back it up with results, people will question your credibility.

High exposure but poor image: If you’re known but not respected, opportunities will be limited.

To succeed, you need to balance all three elements effectively.

Practical Steps to Implement P.I.E. in Your Career

Step 1: Assess Your Current Standing

Ask yourself:

Do people recognize the quality of my work?

How am I perceived within my organization or industry?

Do key decision-makers know who I am?

This self-assessment will help identify areas that need improvement.

Step 2: Set Career Goals Based on P.I.E.

Outline specific actions for each category:

Performance: Improve your skills through training and certifications.

Image: Develop executive presence and leadership qualities.

Exposure: Build relationships with industry leaders and influencers.

Step 3: Seek Guidance from Mentors and Networks

Career growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Connecting with the right people can open doors to new opportunities. Roots Inspire provides valuable mentorship and networking opportunities to help professionals enhance their exposure and career trajectory.

Step 4: Continuously Adapt and Grow

Success is a journey, not a destination. Regularly evaluate and refine your approach to performance, image, and exposure to keep progressing in your career.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Career with P.I.E.

Mastering performance, image, and exposure is the key to unlocking career success. While hard work lays the foundation, strategic image-building and increasing your visibility are what truly propel you forward. By taking a balanced approach and leveraging mentorship and networking resources like Roots Inspire, you can ensure that your career path is filled with opportunities for growth and advancement.

So, don’t just work hard—work smart. Strengthen your performance, refine your image, and maximize your exposure to achieve the success you deserve.

[healyouself]

Teen Screen Time: How Much Is Too Much?

Screens are everywhere—smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions have become an integral part of our daily lives. For teens, the allure of screens can be especially strong, with social media, video games, and streaming services offering endless entertainment and connection. But how much screen time is too much for teenagers, and what impact does it have on their physical and mental health?

The Rise of Screen Time Among Teens

The average teenager spends around 7 to 9 hours a day in front of screens, excluding schoolwork. This number has surged in recent years, particularly with the increased reliance on digital tools during the pandemic. From TikTok to YouTube, teens often find themselves immersed in digital worlds that pull them away from real-life interactions.

While screens offer a convenient way to stay connected and informed, excessive screen time can have negative consequences on teens’ health. Understanding these effects is crucial for parents and teens alike in order to establish healthier screen habits.

The Physical Effects of Excessive Screen Time

Too much screen time doesn’t just affect the mind—it also has tangible physical effects:

Eye Strain and Digital Eye Syndrome Spending hours staring at a screen can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, and blurred vision. The blue light emitted from screens can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to poor-quality sleep or insomnia. Teens are especially prone to this as they often use their devices late into the night.

Poor Posture and Musculoskeletal Problems Sitting hunched over a smartphone or laptop for long periods can lead to poor posture, which can cause neck pain, back pain, and muscle strain. In the long run, this can result in more serious musculoskeletal issues.

Sedentary Lifestyle and Weight Gain Excessive screen time is often linked to a sedentary lifestyle. When teens spend hours sitting down without physical activity, it can lead to weight gain, poor cardiovascular health, and an increased risk of obesity. Teens who are inactive are also more likely to develop other health problems later in life.

The Mental and Emotional Impact of Excessive Screen Time

While physical health is a concern, the mental and emotional toll of too much screen time can be even more profound:

Increased Anxiety and Depression Studies show that excessive screen time, especially on social media, is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression among teens. The constant comparison to others, fear of missing out (FOMO), and exposure to cyberbullying can all contribute to these feelings.

Sleep Disruptions As mentioned earlier, screen time, particularly before bed, interferes with sleep. The blue light emitted by devices suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Teens who spend late nights scrolling on their phones are more likely to suffer from sleep deprivation, which negatively impacts mood, concentration, and overall mental health.

Reduced Attention Span and Cognitive Development Rapid switching between tasks, such as messaging friends while watching videos, can impair a teen's attention span and ability to focus. Long-term exposure to fast-paced media may reduce a teen’s ability to engage deeply with more complex tasks like reading or critical thinking.

Decreased Social Skills and Real-Life Interaction Excessive time spent online can lead to social isolation. While teens may feel connected through social media, they miss out on real-life interactions and the ability to build meaningful face-to-face relationships. Over time, this can hinder the development of empathy and other crucial social skills.

How Much Screen Time Is Healthy for Teens?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that teenagers limit their recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day. However, for many families, this guideline may seem unrealistic in the face of schoolwork, social media, and entertainment needs. What’s more important is balance and mindful usage.

Guidelines for Creating Healthy Screen Habits

To promote healthier screen habits in teens, here are some actionable tips that parents and teens can implement:

Set Screen-Free Zones and Times Designate certain areas of the house, such as the dining room or bedrooms, as screen-free zones. Additionally, establish screen-free hours, especially before bedtime, to encourage face-to-face interaction and healthy sleep patterns.

Encourage Outdoor Activities Encourage teens to engage in physical activities like walking, biking, or playing sports to counterbalance their sedentary screen time. Physical activity is crucial for maintaining overall health and can also improve mood and energy levels.

Create a Daily Schedule Help your teen set a daily routine that includes time for homework, exercise, hobbies, and screen time. A well-rounded schedule ensures that screen time doesn’t dominate their day.

Promote Mindful Screen Use Encourage teens to be mindful of their screen usage. For example, rather than mindlessly scrolling through social media, encourage them to use screens purposefully, such as learning new skills through online courses or watching educational content.

Monitor and Limit Social Media Usage Since social media is a significant part of teen screen time, it's essential to set boundaries. Parents can use apps that monitor screen usage and set time limits on social platforms. Encourage open conversations about the negative effects of social media and emphasize the importance of real-life connections.

Model Healthy Screen Habits Teens are likely to emulate the behavior they see at home. Parents should model healthy screen habits by limiting their own screen time, especially during family activities or meals.