Have You Seen The "Crunchy Teen" Wellness Influencers?

How high schoolers are promoting "Make America Healthy Again"-type messages online. PLUS: Addressing "bigorexia," and AI companions for teens

Hi Readers!

• I’m Christopher Pepper, an award-winning health educator and journalist. During the week, I send out editions of my Teen Health Today newsletter that are free for all to read - the most recent is How To Help Teenagers Become Sex Ed Experts.

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In this edition:

• AI Companions? Experts Say They Aren't Safe For Teens — Yet

• The Rise of the ‘Crunchy Teen’ Wellness Influencer

• Your Brain Is Biased To Negativity. Here’s How To Be More Positive.

• 'Bigorexia' Is On The Rise. Here's What Parents Should Know.

• A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren’t

• Who Are Boys’ Role Models Today?

• How A Fix For Smoking Sparked A New Crisis

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Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

AI Companions? Experts Say They Aren't Safe For Teens — Yet (Mashable)

Millions of people are drawn to generative artificial intelligence companions, like the kind that populate Character.AI, Replika, and Nomi.

The companions seem impressively human. They remember conversations and use familiar verbal tics. Sometimes they even mistake themselves for flesh and bone, offering descriptions of how they eat and sleep. Adults flock to these companions for advice, friendship, counseling, and even romantic relationships.

While it might surprise their parents, tweens and teens are doing the same, and youth safety experts are gravely worried about the consequences. READ MORE

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