How Screens Harm Sleep and Mood, Teen Distracted Driving Dangers, and Period Prep for Kids Away From Home

Addressing important family concerns: tackling screen-related sleep issues, keeping teen drivers safe, helping kids handle first periods while away from home, and more.

Jazmin Towe

Jul 15, 2025

person taking selfie while riding vehicle — Photo by Miguel Ángel Hernández on Unsplash

It’s that funny midpoint of summer where the days feel endless but the weeks somehow fly by. One minute you’re booking a trip, the next you’re stepping over new school supply displays at the store and wondering if last year’s backpack still fits. This week is also my mom’s birthday. She’s no longer here, and while there’s real pain in that, I’m also holding space to celebrate her life, the love she gave, the lessons she left, and the way she still shows up in how I mother my child now.

Whether you’re soaking up every last late bedtime or quietly counting down to routines, this week we’re diving into what’s happening this season. We’ve got a closer look at how to prep your child in case they get their first period away from home (because this can definitely happen at camp), the ways climate change is putting summer camps on alert, and what’s really going on with teen drivers and their phones. Plus, a check-in on teacher burnout, pay gaps, and what’s improving in schools right now.

Let’s dig in while the kids are distracted…or at least quiet for five minutes.

Minute Reads

How screen time affects sleep—and why it matters for your child’s mental health

•A new study finds that increased screen time in children ages 9 to 10 is linked to shorter sleep duration two years later. This research was conducted as part of the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

•Reduced sleep was associated with changes in brain structure, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation. These changes were tied to a higher risk of depressive symptoms during early adolescence.

•Experts recommend removing screens from bedrooms and turning off devices 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Instead, opt for more relaxing activities, such as listening to music or drawing, to help children transition into a restful state.

•Sleep plays a critical role in brain development, including memory formation, hormone balance, and emotional processing. Establishing a consistent routine without screens can help children fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Fewer Teachers Plan to Quit, But Pay and Burnout Are Still Major Issues

•A survey from the RAND Corporation revealed fewer teachers are planning to leave the profession this year, with only 16% saying they intend to quit. Burnout rates have dropped slightly, from 60% last year to 53% this year, though overall stress levels remain high.

•Female teachers report significantly lower well-being than male teachers across most well-being categories. In states without collective bargaining rights, teacher salaries are nearly 30% lower than in states where it is required.

•Mental health and job satisfaction have not improved significantly, despite fewer teachers expressing a desire to leave.

•Reducing unpaid labor may be one of the most effective ways to improve teacher retention and support long-term well-being.

Forget Texting & Driving: Teens Are Using Phones for ‘Entertainment’ While Behind the Wheel in Worrying New Study

•A Mass General Brigham study of 1,100 U.S. high school students found teens spent 21% of their driving time glancing at their phones; 26% of those glances lasted two seconds or more.

•Despite voice-assist options like Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth, many are still physically looking at their screens. Among teen drivers, 65% looked at their phones for entertainment, 40% for texting, and 30% for navigation.

•Experts warn that distracted driving puts both teens and others on the road at risk of serious injury or death. The risk is highest now during the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” when teen crash rates spike between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

•Simple safety strategies include using “Do Not Disturb” mode, keeping phones out of reach, and getting enough sleep. Parents are encouraged to model safe behavior—keeping phones out of reach and avoiding distractions while behind the wheel.

After Camp Mystic, what parents need to know about summer camp and extreme weather

•Summer camps across the U.S. are increasingly facing extreme weather threats, including flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat, driven by climate change.

•In Texas, a flash flood swept through a summer camp, killing 27 campers and counselors and prompting evacuations. These types of events are becoming more frequent as intense storms are now dumping more water in shorter periods.

•While camps remain generally safe, experts say the risks are evolving, and many facilities are not yet fully equipped to handle climate-related emergencies. The American Camp Association has issued new guidance urging camps to develop emergency action plans and consider local climate threats.

•Even as climate risks grow, camps continue to play a vital role in child development. Parents are encouraged to ask camps about their heat, fire, and flood protocols, including staff training and communication systems.

How To Prepare Your Child If They Get Their First Period While Away From Home

•Many kids look forward to their first away-from-home experience, but it can cause anxiety if they get their first period while away. Early, stigma-free conversations about puberty, before physical signs like breast development, mood swings, or acne appear, help children feel prepared.

•Parents and experts advise creating a clear plan with the child: identifying which trusted adults to go to, selecting menstrual products together, and discussing hygiene steps.

•Packing a “period kit” is essential: include pads or tampons, dark and comfortable underwear, wet wipes, spare clothing, a heating pad, or pain relief medicine.

•Parents should proactively contact destinations to confirm support systems, such as relatives, counselors, or nurses, and backup supplies. Provide educational materials—pamphlets, videos, or books—to help kids answer questions discreetly if they feel shy asking adults.

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How Screens Harm Sleep and Mood, Teen Distracted Driving Dangers, and Period Prep for Kids Away From Home

Addressing important family concerns: tackling screen-related sleep issues, keeping teen drivers safe, helping kids handle first periods while away from home, and more.

Let’s dig in while the kids are distracted…or at least quiet for five minutes.

Minute Reads

•A new study finds that increased screen time in children ages 9 to 10 is linked to shorter sleep duration two years later. This research was conducted as part of the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.

•Reduced sleep was associated with changes in brain structure, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation. These changes were tied to a higher risk of depressive symptoms during early adolescence.

•Experts recommend removing screens from bedrooms and turning off devices 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Instead, opt for more relaxing activities, such as listening to music or drawing, to help children transition into a restful state.

•Sleep plays a critical role in brain development, including memory formation, hormone balance, and emotional processing. Establishing a consistent routine without screens can help children fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

•A survey from the RAND Corporation revealed fewer teachers are planning to leave the profession this year, with only 16% saying they intend to quit. Burnout rates have dropped slightly, from 60% last year to 53% this year, though overall stress levels remain high.

•Female teachers report significantly lower well-being than male teachers across most well-being categories. In states without collective bargaining rights, teacher salaries are nearly 30% lower than in states where it is required.

•Mental health and job satisfaction have not improved significantly, despite fewer teachers expressing a desire to leave.

•Reducing unpaid labor may be one of the most effective ways to improve teacher retention and support long-term well-being.

•A Mass General Brigham study of 1,100 U.S. high school students found teens spent 21% of their driving time glancing at their phones; 26% of those glances lasted two seconds or more.

•Despite voice-assist options like Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth, many are still physically looking at their screens. Among teen drivers, 65% looked at their phones for entertainment, 40% for texting, and 30% for navigation.

•Experts warn that distracted driving puts both teens and others on the road at risk of serious injury or death. The risk is highest now during the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” when teen crash rates spike between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

•Simple safety strategies include using “Do Not Disturb” mode, keeping phones out of reach, and getting enough sleep. Parents are encouraged to model safe behavior—keeping phones out of reach and avoiding distractions while behind the wheel.

•Summer camps across the U.S. are increasingly facing extreme weather threats, including flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat, driven by climate change.

•In Texas, a flash flood swept through a summer camp, killing 27 campers and counselors and prompting evacuations. These types of events are becoming more frequent as intense storms are now dumping more water in shorter periods.

•While camps remain generally safe, experts say the risks are evolving, and many facilities are not yet fully equipped to handle climate-related emergencies. The American Camp Association has issued new guidance urging camps to develop emergency action plans and consider local climate threats.

•Even as climate risks grow, camps continue to play a vital role in child development. Parents are encouraged to ask camps about their heat, fire, and flood protocols, including staff training and communication systems.

•Many kids look forward to their first away-from-home experience, but it can cause anxiety if they get their first period while away. Early, stigma-free conversations about puberty, before physical signs like breast development, mood swings, or acne appear, help children feel prepared.

•Parents and experts advise creating a clear plan with the child: identifying which trusted adults to go to, selecting menstrual products together, and discussing hygiene steps.

•Packing a “period kit” is essential: include pads or tampons, dark and comfortable underwear, wet wipes, spare clothing, a heating pad, or pain relief medicine.

•Parents should proactively contact destinations to confirm support systems, such as relatives, counselors, or nurses, and backup supplies. Provide educational materials—pamphlets, videos, or books—to help kids answer questions discreetly if they feel shy asking adults.

Time to Spare

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