This page contains links to various websites that you might find helpful, informative, enjoyable or just interesting. [I haven't finished transferring the links from my computer to the website so some categories are incomplete or empty until I cycle around to them.]
(Remember, this list is not comprehensive and the presence of sites on this list does not constitute endorsement for or support of any of the information provided on these sites.)
Alcohol and Drugs-General Info
College Prep, College Search, Applications
Dating and Relationships-General
Dating and Relationships-Dating Violence
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersex, Questioning
Learning and Learning Difficulties
Manhood and Masculinity Issues
Music Venues for Teens in Nashville
Parents and How to Deal with Them
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sex & Sexuality-Educating Yourself
Sex & Sexuality-Sexually Transmitted Infections
Stats on Teens (find out where you stand)
Womanhood and Femininity Issues
PBS series by and about teen issues
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/
Alcohol and Drugs-General Info
Site created by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy). Don’t let that put you off. Take a look.
http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/
Great article on addiction and the brain from Time magazine.
http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,1640235,00.html
An understandable presentation of the science of addiction by the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/
National Institute on Drug Abuse information site for teens.
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/parents/index.php
So, legalizing pot would be fine, right? At least get it right.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-pro-marijuana-arguments-that-arent-helping/
If you are going to try to educate yourself about recreational drugs, know what you are doing. These folks tell it like it is.
http://www.erowid.org/
Uh huh
http://www.viceland.com/int/dd.php?id=922
And, here’s a test
http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/
Sure. Go right ahead smoking that synthetic weed. What could go wrong? Except maybe this or this or maybe this and here is a summary for pharmacists that gives you more detail than you can probably understand.
Why do we get emotional when we drink alcohol?
Know the actual facts about what alcohol does.
And what happens when you drink so much you black out.
College age
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/
Here are the results of one of the most comprehensive surveys of alcohol and drug use in American teens. It is the Monitoring the Future Survey.
This is the site to start with; the official society
http://www.adaa.org/
Interesting article on fear and anxiety
http://www.newsweek.com/2007/12/15/the-roots-of-fear.html
This is a site for people who have “shy bladder” (difficulty urinating when others are around).
http://www.paruresis.org/
This is the best single resource in my opinion. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
http://www.chadd.org/
This is an equally good resource. I really like their monthly magazine. Much more teen friendly
http://www.additudemag.com/
Here’s the Centers for Disease Control link that can be helpful.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/
Interesting info on ADD and brain development from a NPR show.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16227385&sc=emaf
Questions about medication? Here’s some info from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.parentsmedguide.org/pmg_adhd.html
This is a cool blog about psychology issues. This blog is a helpful overview of attention processes (regardless of ADD)
http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/05/attention-how-it-works-how-it-fails-and-how-to-improve-it.php
OK, this is kind of interesting. It’s a video game app for cell phones that turns making and completing tasks on a list into a video game adventure.
http://www.rexbox.co.uk/epicwin/
Here is one of the state organizations dedicated to providing support and information for the Autism community
http://tnautism.org/index.php
And here is the national organization
http://www.autism-society.org/
And this is a great resource to have when you first discover your kid has autism
http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/family_services_docs/100_day_kit.pdf
put out by these folks
http://www.autismspeaks.org/?gclid=CIycs8TJkasCFZEs7Aoda1_Rvg
And this was an intriguing article
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/68/thorkil-sonne-bio/?utm_source=Ode+Newsletters&utm_campaign=b0bc071e24-Weekly_Newsletter_020210&utm_medium=email
What about teens with autism
http://www.massmutual.com/planningtools/additional-resources/special-needs/special-care/autism-coming-of-age?source=google11Q3&adgroup=autism&pdterm=autism+information
And a site for self-advocacy
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/
Here’s a non-profit site that has some good stuff: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
http://www.bpkids.org/
Here are some podcasts with info for teens.
http://www.bpkids.org/flipswitch
This is a good summary of how to talk to kids about a parent with bipolar disorder
http://www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information/when_parent_bipolar.html
Good site with info on children and teens.
http://bpchildren.org/
And here is another link from the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation that is for teenage girls with bipolar disorder. But, guys, there is a good summary of medication options on this page so give it a look
http://www.bpkids.org/flipswitch/for-girls-only
Then again, what if your parent is bipolar?
http://www.childrenofbipolar.com/index.php
How do those famous beauties do it?
http://www.break.com/index/celebrities_without_makeup.html
And it is all so natural
http://www.break.com/index/transformation_of_a_model.html
And here is what you can think versus what others see
http://realbeautysketches.dove.us/
Guys get the treatment too
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/silverman2.htm
This will get you thinking about the role of marketers and corporations in trying to get you to buy things
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/
Healthy at any size
http://www.sizediversityandhealth.org/
You can overcome almost anything
http://retrocomedy.com/2009/08/19/15-most-awkward-celebrity-childhood-hairstyles/
An insightful analyst of media influences
http://www.shapingyouth.org/
But what about all those programs that help you get cut (both guys and girls)? Take a look at how they can manipulate you.
An Ashley Judd, beautiful yet tormented by unrealistic expectations
This is BRILLIANT both in its content and its brevity. TED talk by Super model Cameron Russell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re53vgaVFvI
Smith is an author who also has reviews of various young adult books. Good place to find something interesting to read.
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/favorites/by_format/youngadult.html
This is a site where teens review books
http://www.teenreads.com/index.asp
Here is a good list of books by different ages
Here is a site for teens against bullying
http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/
There are things you can do when you know something is just wrong
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2007/10/05/4373465-telling-bullies-to-think-pink
Here’s a website of stories of kids dealing with and overcoming bullying
http://yourheros.com/
Here’s a site by MTV about the thin line between a joke and bullying, stories and strategies
http://www.athinline.org/
Many bullies, especially when it happens during the early teens, find their way out of it. The damage is still done but there is hope. Many bullied people find the strength and resilience they need to get past the hurt. This guy has written about a time in his youth when he was a real asshole.
http://gawker.com/5972998/confessions-of-a-teenage-word+bully
Career and work world sites (Be sure to check out the Jobs and Employment link below)
OK, this site is awesome. An interactive guide to careers, future job growth, everything in one place.
And this is the larger page that contains that awesome chart that can guide you through career decision making. I’m really wanting to know more about Rasmussen College!
The National Association of Manufacturers came up with a site that helps you see the kinds of jobs, skills and opportunities there are in this career area
http://www.dreamit-doit.com/index1.php
Not all jobs require years and years of college.
http://career-advice.comcast.monster.com/salary-benefits/salary-information/high-paying-jobs-associates-degree/article.aspx?WT.mc_n=comcast800
Here are some questionnaires and information that may be useful in figuring out what you can do or how to pursue a job opportunity, including interviewing strategies, etc.
http://career-advice.monster.com/
Then again, maybe a life of leisure is for you (with all the limitations that come with that)
http://idler.co.uk/about/
Here is a local place to get some practical skills that will help you be employable in fields like biomed technician, cosmetology, heating/ventilation/air conditioning, etc.
http://www.ttcnashville.edu/
The title says it all: cool jobs in great places. Don’t limit your sights for summer employment.
http://www.coolworks.com/
This site has a whole lot of information for teens on different aspects of careers including some activities for narrowing your career interests and all kinds of college prep stuff.
http://breitlinks.com/careers/career_activities.htm
And this is a site by the Discovery Channel about different ideas for jobs and careers
http://discoveryourskills.com/
OK, having a college degree is your best bet
http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/CollegeAdvantage.ExecutiveSummary.081512.pdf
And here is a site that is dedicated to helping you find and do the work you will love.
Fetzer Institute for love and compassion| Home
The Responsibility Project, Presented by Liberty Mutual: Films
10 Ways to Become More Grateful | Greater Good
Welcome to the Giraffe Heroes Project
This is a very psychologically complicated blog post by a former CIA agent who is writing about how you can end up compromising your values (and how to avoid it). Remarkable.
http://barryeisler.blogspot.com.br/2012/08/you-will-be-assimilated.html
This should be YOU!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYATwAZzWEE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw97CfZtyGw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJHCf8l7ssM&feature=related
And here is what the LDS (Mormons) expect of teens with character
https://lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng
And character is also how you think (and whether you give people a f****ing break!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmpYnxlEh0c
Charities and Volunteering Sites
A student’s guide to community service
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/family/spirit/spirit.htm
Love these folks. Very cool community empowerment model, the way to help others.
http://www.harvesthandscdc.com/
Boys and Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. They can always use help
http://www.bgcmt.org/
Oasis Center. They can use volunteers AND they have leadership opportunities for teens.
http://www.oasiscenter.org/help
Habitat for Humanity. Who doesn’t know about the organization that builds houses for people
http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/affiliate.aspx?zip=37027
Crowdrise. This is an interesting experiment in using the internet to facilitate people creating their own charitable giving organizations. Worth looking into.
http://www.crowdrise.com/
Sometimes, persistence is the most important element
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/71/invisible-children-child-soldiers/all
Local organization to foster slave-free communities through prevention, education and community engagement.
http://endslaverytn.org/events.htm
Youth Venture inspires and invests in teams of young people to create and launch their own sustainable, community-benefiting ventures. Youth Venture then connects them into a global movement of young changemakers who are together redefining the youth years as a time of leadership and positive social change.
http://labs.youthventure.org/
Mobile Movement is a social enterprise that provides integrated and interactive technology – enabled solutions in economic development. Our signature mobile/web technology platform connects young entrepreneurs around the world to grants, finance, business development services, mentoring, and new markets both local and international.
http://www.mobilemovement.tv/
Kids raise the bar on giving with Facebook fundraisers, even their own foundations.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110130/FREE/301309972&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium
Prudential has an award for teens who make a difference
http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/301
College Prep, College Search, Applications
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/01/09/dirty-secrets-of-college-admissions.html
http://www.cracked.com/article_16613_7-college-scholarships-that-require-absolutely-no-talent.html
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/finance-inexpensivecolleges/introduction/
http://www.walletpop.com/2009/11/09/cheapest-colleges-13-standup-schools-that-cost-less-than-5-000/
This site is vulgar, profane and irreverent. It is very funny and often has useful and even insightful information geared linguistically for college student crowd
http://www.cracked.com/article_18660_why-you-should-beware-schools-from-late-night-tv-ads.html
http://xfinity.comcast.net/finance/forwhatitsworth/6309206/howmuchisacollegedegreereallyworth/
http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-question-youre-not-asking-should-you-go-to-college/
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/news-cheapestcolleges/?cid=hero_media
Colleges that Change Lives. A must place to look for that very important focus on college education.
http://www.ctcl.org/
Gladwell always has something insightful (and psychologically minded) to say. Read this for sure.
http://www.ctcl.org/files/pdfs/RankingsNewYorkerGladwell-1.pdf
Can’t afford college? Want to learn things without having the traditional structure (and expense) of a college? Look at this site.
http://www.uncollege.org/resources/
We Feel Fine. This is an astonishing, fascinating award winning site that posts random comments in the most amazingly cool program. Look and see.
http://www.wefeelfine.org/
PostSecret. An ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard.
http://www.postsecret.com/
6 Word Memoirs. One life. Six words
http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/
Passive aggressive notes. funny (if not necessarily “passive-aggressive”) notes from pissed-off people
http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/page/4/
Nudge. You too can create music. Remarkable
http://inudge.net/index.en.html#/8q1
The scale of the universe. Makes you feel really small.
http://www.documaga.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/scaleofuniverse.swf
It’s not all bad news
http://www.aolnews.com/category/goodnews/
Teenhome. News for teens
http://www.tweentribune.com/teen
Magazine, website and books written by teens
http://www.teenink.com/
Now this is awesome
http://vimeo.com/31158841 and then read this article on the power of one
And they all fall down,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GWI0A9o_5E&feature=player_embedded#!
Optical illusions are really cool.
http://www.break.com/index/this-will-blow-your-mind-2351683
If you want the theory, if you want the strategies, if you want to stop, this is a really good presentation of all that information. Just know that you may need a therapist to help you apply it to yourself and to find the unique issues that may be driving why YOU are doing this to yourself.
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Cutting-Yourself
Dating and Relationships-General
This is a really cool, comprehensive site that gets you really thinking about your relationships. It seems to be targeted to teen girls but it is useful for guys and girls.
http://www.canyourel8.com/
What is really important?
http://advice.eharmony.com/relationships/relationship-advice/undoing-the-hollywood-relationship-hoax?page=articles/view&AID=1696&cid=23600&aid=700
This site has an overview of what a healthy relationship should include. Compare it to your relationship and see where y’all stand.
http://www.nomeansknow.com/dating.html
Women don’t have to wait any more
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=37174
Kissing! No body takes the time to really kiss these days; you are always trying to move on to something more. Kissing is GREAT! But, you have to savor it and honor it.
http://www.divinecaroline.com/22081/76045-kiss–science-sex
Successful women are happy in relationships
http://www.womensenews.org/story/uncovering-gender/100812/smart-women-take-heart-your-love-life-fine?utm_source=Ode+Newsletters&utm_campaign=892654b89a-good-news-weekly-rss&utm_medium=email
Sure you’re in love but are you a compassionate lover?
Dating and Relationships-Dating Violence
Start with this quiz
http://www.teenrelationships.org/quiz/
Love is respect. National dating abuse hotline
http://www.loveisrespect.org/
A Teen’s Handbook: What You Need to Know About Dating Violence
http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/web/guest/for-teens1
Here is what the professors know about teen dating violence
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/261/teen-dating-violence.htm
This is another great site. Here is a checklist of warning signs (are you brave enough to take it?).
MTV has some useful information about the use of technology to pressure and abuse
First there is information, for teens
http://morethansad.org/
http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen_teenagers.htm
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/depression.html#cat20123
Professional sites
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF950F-1372-4D20-C8B5BD8DFDD94CF1
http://healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Depression.aspx
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/understanding-depression.aspx
Here is a graphic novel-esque description of what it has been like for the author to suffer depression. Really good.
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html
Want to know how bad it can be to text and drive? Take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pubTiDCEVZ8&feature=related
http://info.howcast.com/onroadoffphone
Here’s a solution to unconscious texting
Thumb Socks Order Form | Thumb Wars | Do Something
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help-today/
http://www.findingbalance.com/
OK, this is just getting ridiculous!
http://jezebel.com/wtf-model-scouts-look-for-new-talent-at-eating-disorde-476140685
The Awesome Foundation – Toronto
Columns | Never Get A “Real” Job
This is an awesome site for girls that is all about encouraging teens to think about the whole range of possibilities for their lives, including business as a teen. Give it a look.
http://www.girlsinc-online.org/
Here is some info on exercise and it’s benefits
http://sparkinglife.org/page/home
You want to physically test yourself? And have fun? One of these is for you.
http://toughmudder.com/training-prep/get-fit/
Here’s the list and a review of these and a few more
http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/best-obstacle-races-20121102
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/print/57/in-praise-of-failure
Watch this and then tell me you can’t get up one more time and try again!
http://www.break.com/index/man-walks-away-from-lightning-strike-2050919
What is it really?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brainstorm/200905/paula-scher-failure
You’re not the only one
http://www.onlinecollege.org/2010/02/16/50-famously-successful-people-who-failed-at-first/
And here is a magazine just for YOU!
http://failuremag.com/
OK, don’t even talk to me about what you can’t do
http://www.break.com/index/armless-guitar-player-performs-iris-2351304
And, if you do poorly in science while in high school you can never win a Nobel prize. . . wait. What?
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20121009/EU.Britain.Nobel.Report.Card/
The Golden Rule
http://charterforcompassion.org/site/
A beautiful statement of cosmic connections that works with religion or not
http://www.break.com/index/we-are-all-connected.html
The paradoxical relationship between science and religion
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1399/religion-and-science
Religion and Ethics Weekly has set itself apart from the mainstream media by providing distinctive, cutting-edge news coverage and analysis of national and international events in the ever-changing religious world.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/
JVibe. Online magazine for Jewish teens
http://www.jvibe.com/
A PBS project on Islam
http://www.islamproject.org/overview/overview.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/
Muslim American Girl Online Magazine
http://www.muslimamericangirls.com/?page_id=472
The American Muslim Teenager Handbook
http://www.theamth.com/
A starting place for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (The Mormons)
https://lds.org/youth?lang=eng
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersex, Questioning
If you need to talk to someone now, these folks can help
A site for gay teens who have an interest in writing
http://www.oasisjournals.com/
I’m liking this site!
http://www.bidstrup.com/cool.htm
This is a great site
http://www.itgetsbetter.org/
but that doesn’t mean the folks behind it don’t have an agenda
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/it_gets_better_-_the_youth_campaign_that_makes_everything_worse
Goal Setting
Who’s gonna tell you the truth if not your momma?
http://www.break.com/index/mom-tramples-over-b-boys-dreams-2156168
I hope you are just looking at this site out of curiosity. If you need to look here, it means you have suffered a loss. It hurts, it is hard and you can get through this. Hopefully, one of these sites will help. Make sure you share your grief and sadness with someone. If you just keep it in, it will fester.
I liked this site. It is a good place to start to get an idea what is going on inside you (and what to expect)
http://www.thehealingplaceinfo.org/
College students supporting college students grieving the illness or death of a loved one
http://www.studentsofamf.org/
Here is a list of some great books that can help
http://www.hov.org/pdf/BooksForTeensOnGriefAndLoss.pdf
This site has a lot of good stuff on it. You will have to search around a little but the information seems really good.
http://www.griefspeaks.com/index.html