A recent article in the New York Times told the story of Scott Welch, who made national news with a selfie and videos taken on a plane that, for all he knew at the time, might have been doing down. The two short videos went viral. Though difficult to believe for some, it could be said to be a sign of our times - one that some see as positive and others might view as negative. Teens and tweens may not question such actions at all, as their worldview is completely different. They have been practically raised with a cell phone in their young hands. Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, Positive Psychologist and author of 'Diary Of A Gutsy Tween', sees both sides of the story.
"Selfies," Dr. Holstein stated, "can be used to take away the 'being there' of a particular moment. For example if I run around taking selfies of myself at a wedding celebration, rather than chatting and mingling with the guests. A selfie can also be used in what seems to be a disregard of the sacred moment, for example, taking a selfie while standing next to a friend's casket. We have to remember these are personal choices made by individuals. The truth is selfies are still the best way we have in today's world to record in visual form our own lives and the interactions we have with others. If one uses a selfie a day to build a new form of a personal diary, or to take a picture with one's puppy or grandmother or the gorgeous flower that bloomed out last night, what better way to not only 'be there' in the moment, but also to get back to 'being there' any time we wish. I would say as a psychologist, helping people expand, understand and process their lives, the selfie is close to a miracle."
"As far as tweens and teens, the matter is a bit more complicated. If a tween takes too revealing selvies of herself and posts them on Facebook or sends them to the wrong person, she may be doing herself a disservice, while still too young to completely understand why it is so potentially dangerous. However, if she shares a selfie a day with her best friend she had to leave behind when the family moved, it may be the best thing for her mental health until she can establish new friends. Bottom line is parents have to monitor, teach and watch what their kids are doing with selfies. But hasn't that always been the case as we struggle to help our kids grow up?"
Dr. Holstein is fascinated with how selfies have impacted society, and the effects on teens and tweens. She recently released "The Truth, Diary Of A Gutsy Tween". The new book is a revised and expanded edition of her very successful book, 'The Truth: I'm a Girl, I'm Smart and I Know Everything'. The new book is published by Sky Pony Press.
A Facebook page, thetruthforgirls, highlights many of the topics woven into "The Truth". Articles, videos, remarks, conversations, visuals, on this page center around many of the issues that tweens face growing up. These include: self-esteem issues, quarreling in families, divorce, moving to a new home, a new school, best friends, a crush, bullies, a death in the family, money issues, not feeling pretty, feeling sad, feeling lonely, jealousy and more. Dr. Holstein's book for teens and tweens is a first in using fiction for embedding positive psychology concepts.
Her second book in The Truth Series is “Secrets: You Tell Me Yours and I’ll Tell You Mine…Maybe!” Now the girl is 13. She handles many adolescent issues, including a crush, moving, a death in the family, feeling fat and problems with girlfriends. 'Secrets' provides a book kids and parents and grandparents can share and use as a sounding board for needed communication between the generations.
Both “The Truth” and “Secrets” are great for parents, grandparents, older siblings and teachers to establish lines of communication with the tweens and teens in their lives. Both books are being re-released by Sky Pony Press.
Dr. Holstein believes that getting in touch with one's strengths, talents and potential at every age, as well as learning how to hold on to the wise, playful, happy, gutsy and energetic girl that still resides within each woman is essential for mental health.
To assist this process she has written many books, including: case study material as presented in ‘The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy’; inspirational stories as presented in ‘Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU’ and romance, mystery books designed to bring fun, excitement, romance and positive psychological truths into women's lives. Latest books are: Parts 1 and 2 of ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’, available in paper and as e-books; Parts 1,2 and 3 of ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’ available in one book, incorporated into ‘Around Every Corner, Romance & Mystery...’.
Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at drbarbara@enchantedself.com. All of her works are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all other online retailers. More information is available at her website at http://www.enchantedself.com. Videos from the first Creative Performance Workshop are available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIMJ00jmjVO_TzOKTRUEF1eoS3n4uHfCp
Profile:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.
Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting.
She has been a contributor to Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
‘The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy’ is in its second printing through Brunner-Routledge. ‘Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU!’ received rave reviews as an inspirational storybook. ‘DELIGHT’ is available in two versions, paperback and a CD that includes music, art, and Dr. Holstein’s voice.
Other works include ‘The Truth, (I’m a girl, I’m Smart and I Know Everything)’, now re-issued and expanded as 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween,' 'Secrets: You Tell Me Yours and I’ll Tell You Mine…Maybe!’ and 'Around Every Corner: Romance And Mystery . . . '
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
732-571-1200
http://www.enchantedself.com
http://www.thetruthforgirls.com
http://www.newromancebooks.com
http://www.next-year-in-jerusalem.com
drbarbara@enchantedself.com
https://www.facebook.com/thetruthforgirls?ref=br_tf
Twitter: @truth4girls
Twitter: @drbholstein
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