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In today’s digital era, cyberbullying is a major issue affecting children and teens. Cyberbullying is the use of digital and internet tools to intimidate, harass, humiliate, mock, and hurt someone. It can take place through social media, text messages, web forums, online apps, and online games. Some examples of cyberbullying include harassing or insulting text messages to someone’s phone, publishing social media posts that make fun of someone or embarrassing photos and videos, spreading rumors or untrue stories on the internet, and leaving hurtful comments and messages on people’s social media accounts. 

Cyberbullying is harmful as posts and messages that are published on the internet or to social media can spread very quickly and cause severe humiliation for the victim. Furthermore, it can be difficult sometimes to identify who is behind the cyberbullying as posts and messages can be created anonymously or through an alias. Cyberbullying can also happen at any time and from anywhere. And just like face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying can affect a child’s academic performance in school, mental and physical health, sleep, diet, self-esteem, and social life. Cyberbullying also increases the risk of substance abuse and suicide. 

Dealing with cyberbullying can be challenging and emotional for families. But there are many ways to protect your child from it. Firstly, it’s important to pay close attention to your child’s behavior and mental health. If you suspect something is troubling them, start a dialogue with them to see what’s going on and encourage them to open up to you. If your child is a victim of cyberbullying, document the activities and be aware of where they’re occurring. By collecting documentation and screenshots, you can report the events and have them removed from the digital platforms. Social media and other types of apps have developed processes for handling cyberbullying and are responsive about removing harmful content. Check the app’s community standards for info on how to report abuse. 

For text messages and harassing phone calls, you can report the phone number to your mobile company and have it blocked so that your child doesn’t receive any further contact. If you can identify a classmate who is behind the cyberbullying, make sure to report the incident to the school as well. For any abuse that persists, you may need to reach out to resources in your community or at your child’s school to assist with the problem.

It’s also important to teach your child how to stay safe online. Social media apps have privacy settings that can be implemented to eliminate contact from bullies and abusive online users. Advise your child to be careful of who they share their contact and online info with and to use security measures to protect their online accounts. 

If your child is a victim of cyberbullying, let them know that you are there for them and will support them to get through it. Cyberbullying can be a frightening experience and it’s helpful for your child to know they’re not alone. Check in on how they’re feeling to properly guide them and boost their self-esteem. If your child needs additional help, there are many mental health resources available. As always, please contact our pediatrician for assistance. 

Hearing about heavy metals in baby food can leave many parents worried and raise many questions and concerns. Heavy metals pose a risk of toxic exposure to children and can harm the brain, leading to problems with learning, cognition, and behavior. Since metals are found in nature and released into the environment, they can get into food from manufacturing and packaging. Common metals found in food include arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. There are many steps parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of toxic exposure in their child’s diet.

To start, it’s important to serve your baby a well-balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean protein. When your child consumes a diet rich in essential nutrients, their risk of exposure to toxic metals and harmful contaminants is reduced. Make sure to read the labels for baby food and pay attention to the list of ingredients to offer a variety of foods and nutrients.

When it comes to serving grains, it’s best to offer different types and change them up. Rice usually absorbs more arsenic than other crops, so you’ll want to add other kinds of grains to your child’s diet such as oats, quinoa, couscous, and multi-grain cereals. To help lower the arsenic levels in rice, rinse the rice before cooking if you’re preparing it from scratch. 

Avoid giving your baby any fruit juice as it can contain concerning levels of heavy metals. Fruit juice is also not recommended for children under age 2 as it has a lot of sugar and lacks fiber that whole fruits have. Young children should only be fed whole sliced or pureed fruits to help with swallowing. For babies under 6 months of age, they should only be given breast milk or formula. After 6 months, you can give them water and continue feeding them breast milk or formula. Breastfeeding is the best choice, if possible, as breast milk can reduce exposure to toxic metals.

If you feed your baby fish, be careful of the type of fish you choose. Some fish are high in mercury and other metals. Large and predatory fish, such as sharks, are the most concerning. If you feed your child fish, stick to safer options like light tuna and salmon. 

Some studies suggest that organic baby foods might have lower levels of pesticides and chemicals. But heavy metals are found in soil and can also get into organic foods. Organic foods can contain the same levels of heavy metals as non-organic foods. 

In addition to baby food, it’s important to be mindful of other sources of exposure to heavy metals, including your water. As heavy metals can get into tap water, check with your local health department to ensure your water is not contaminated. It’s also important to be mindful of your pipes as older ones can contain lead. Address any peeling or chipping of paint to avoid lead exposure too. Keep babies and toddlers away from cosmetics that may contain lead as well. 

The bottom line – there has always been a trace amount of heavy metals in all foods and within the environment.  Potential exposures are reduced as long as your children are eating a variety of foods.  If you have any questions or concerns about toxic exposure from heavy metals, contact your pediatrician.

For April, Autism Awareness Month, we want to share helpful information and guidance for families of children with autism or families who suspect that their child might have autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability and refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.  There is not just one autism but many subtypes.  Studies are still underway to find the exact causes but research to date suggest it is mostly influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  Each child with Autism can be affected differently with their own distinct set of strengths and challenges.  What we do know is that early intervention is always best for the child and many children with ASD can lead healthy and happy lives.

Some of the early signs of autism that can show up in young children include delays in social and language skills, differences in how they interact with other people, joint attention (which occurs when the child is looking back and forth between an object and a person while interacting with the person), and regression in developmental milestones and skills during the toddler years. 

One way to notice any of these signs is to stay on top of your child’s milestones and what to expect during each stage of your child’s life. Check out this resource from the CDC to learn about the different milestones in each age group. This is one of the many reasons it’s so important to stay up to date on your child’s routine well check visits so that we can monitor your child’s development. If ASD is suspected in your child, a full evaluation is needed before your child can be diagnosed. Evaluations include observations of your child’s behavior and social interactions, a detailed physical examination, developmental assessment of all skills, and a hearing test. 

Early intervention options include therapies for speech-language, behavior, sensory integration, physical skills, and social skills. These interventions can help enhance your child’s skills. Making accommodations and adjustments for academic education can also help children with autism to learn more easily. For an example, many children with autism learn better visually and can follow instructions when drawn or demonstrated. Note that treatment for each child can look differently depending on the unique individual and their needs. 

With the right treatment and support, your child can thrive and overcome their challenges from autism. Your pediatrician is also here to support your family and child and can point you to the right resources. In addition to treatment, when children with autism transition to adulthood, helping them prepare with the new changes can make that transition more smooth. Changes can be stressful for kids with autism, but there are plenty of resources to assist during the process, such as GotTransition.org. It’s also important to teach your kids independent skills, including making their healthcare appointments and decisions. 

If you have any questions or concerns or if we can support your family, please don’t hesitate to call us.