Your Teen Knows About the Epstein Files

"Teens today live in a media ecosystem where information spreads fast. They don't need to seek out disturbing content; it finds them through group chats and memes, Tik Tok commentary, and YouTube conspiracy rants. Even if they don't fully understand what they're seeing, they're seeing it. They are forming opinions. They are having feelings. And they are talking about it with peers."

"When adults act as if these topics don't exist, kids don't think, "Oh good, I'm protected." They think, "My parents either don't know, don't get it, or can't handle it." When families never mention painful or taboo topics like sexual abuse, exploitation, trafficking, misogyny, power and money, it sends a subtle but powerful message: "We don't talk about things like that here." For a teen, this can translate into: "If something like this ever happens to me or my friends, I can't tell my parents.""

Teens encounter disturbing content like jokes, memes, and conspiracy talk about sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation through social media and peer chats. Silence by caregivers leaves teens to process frightening material alone and communicates that such topics are taboo or unshareable. Proactive conversations normalize difficult subjects, validate emotions, correct misinformation, and create pathways for disclosure and safety. Practical steps include asking open questions, listening without judgment, setting clear boundaries around technology, teaching consent and reporting options, and offering resources and professional support when needed. Ongoing, calm engagement builds trust and reduces isolation for teens navigating upsetting media.

Read at Psychology Today