344: The Questions Teens Are Really Asking!

344: The Questions Teens Are Really Asking!

Author: Impactful Parent June 11, 2026 Duration: 30:49
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

Raising school-aged kids and teenagers often feels like navigating uncharted territory every single day. Parenting Tips, Resources and Strategies for Moms and Dads of Children, & Teenagers: Impactful Parenting is here for that exact journey, moving beyond simple advice to explore the real, sometimes messy work of building lasting bonds. Hosted by Impactful Parent, this podcast digs into the unique challenges that emerge as children grow, offering practical strategies and thoughtful resources drawn from real stories and experiences. You’ll find conversations that address those quiet doubts every parent has, wondering if what you’re facing is normal or searching for a better way to connect when things feel chaotic. Each episode serves as a thoughtful resource, transforming common struggles into opportunities for understanding and growth within your family. The focus is squarely on the school years through adolescence, a phase that demands a different parenting toolkit. By listening, you gain access to a supportive dialogue that blends education, relationship insights, and cultural awareness, all aimed at making daily family life feel more manageable and far more connected. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about impactful shifts that help you and your child navigate these formative years together with more confidence and less friction. Tune in for a genuine, story-driven approach that meets you right where you are.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Parenting Tips for Moms and Dads of School-aged Children & Teenagers: The Impactful Parenting Podcast
Podcast Episodes
354:  Preparing Neurodivergent Teens for College [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:38
Preparing Neurodivergent Teens for College Is your neurodivergent teen truly ready to step onto a college campus and take charge of their independence? Transitioning from high school to higher education is a massive leap…
353: Unmotivated Boys. What can parents do? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:16
Unmotivated Boys. What can parents do? Is your son losing his drive, disengaging from school, or spending all his time glued to screens? You’re not alone, and it’s not just in your head! In this episode of The Impactful…
352: Sibling Sexual Abuse Support [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:44
Sibling Sexual Abuse Support Did you know that suppressed childhood stress and boundary violations can actually manifest as unexplained chronic physical pain later in life? In this vital episode of The Impactful Parent,…
351: Why Good Dads Retreat (And How Mothers Can Help Them Step Up!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:14
Why Good Dads Retreat (And How Mothers Can Help Them Step Up!) Have you ever asked your partner for a little help around the house or with the kids, only for it to spiral into a debate, a silent shutdown, or a full-blown…
349: Grandparents are Important too. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:28
Have you ever felt like raising kids today requires a manual, a therapist, and three extra sets of hands? What if the missing piece to solving your child’s anxiety, screen time battles, and daily stress isn’t another par…
336: Emotional Intelligence for Dads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:35
Emotional Intelligence for Dads Are you running yourself ragged trying to provide for your family, only to realize you’re too exhausted to actually enjoy them? Dads, let’s be honest. Somewhere between rushing to sports p…
346: Internet Safety: Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
Internet safety: Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers If a stranger walked up to your teenager on the street and tried to manipulate what they believed, you’d step in instantly. But it’s happening every single day, co…
345: When the Silent Treatment Goes Too Far [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:16
The Silent Treatment In this powerful episode of The Impactful Parent, host Kristina Campos pulls back the curtain on the subtle, quiet dynamics that drain a mother’s energy and erode her confidence. Kristina is joined b…