Every parent is tasked with the difficult job of keeping their kid safe from the dangers of the world. Some things are easy, like keeping them safe from sickness by getting them a flu shot. But others are more complicated and just plain scary to think about — things like domestic violence and cyberbullying.  While they are hard to think about, these two things are all too common among children and adults alike. The sad truth is that more than 12 million people around the world are impacted by domestic violence every year. Nearly half of the teens in the United States state that they’ve e ..read more

The struggle to keep our eyes off screens before bedtime is real for everyone — adults and kids alike. At some point, we all realized that an evening scroll through our phones was quite enjoyable, or that watching TV before bed was a great way to unwind. But the cold hard truth is that it can actually have really negative impacts on our sleep and well-being.  It's no secret that we're spending more time than ever looking at screens, and children are no exception. In fact, one study showed that as many as 96% of teenagers bring some type of electronic device into the bedroom with them. As ..read more

Growing up has never been easy, but for families today, it can seem even more daunting. Adolescence is a time of big change for kids, and dealing with emotions, school, and outside events can be overwhelming sometimes. As a parent, it’s important to help instill in your child healthy mental health habits that will last a lifetime, as well as to know when something may be wrong and a conversation is needed. This blog post will help you understand teen mental health a little better and how to connect with your child.   Stressors — And Coping Mechanisms — Are Different Today ..read more

If your family has struggled with supporting a child experiencing suicidal ideation, you’re probably familiar with just how devastating can be. It can be scary, anxiety-producing, and incredibly isolating. But it’s important to know that you are not alone. Many, many families have dealt with this issue, so much so that suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 14. Here at Bark, we’ve witnessed that 43.09% of tweens and 74.61% of teens were involved in a self-harm/suicidal situation in 2021 — a sobering and heartbreaking statistic. We send alerts to ..read more

Starting July 16, 2022, people in distress — including those who are suicidal or experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis — can call, text, or chat 988 to reach support. This new easy-to-remember number may be new, but its lifesaving concept isn’t — dialing 988 will route callers to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will still be active after 988 launches nationally. Designating 988 as the new suicide hotline is so, so important for expanding mental health care in the U.S. First, it shows that mental hea ..read more

Was your 2019 full of cookies, sunny days outside, and sweet memories with your kids? All the little behind-the-scenes moments from the past year might be the ones you treasure most. At Bark, our team has had some pretty great (and even a little silly) milestones of our own. From the office foliage we’ve acquired to the silly dad jokes we’ve told, we’ve counted up some of our favorite memories from Bark’s year in 2019. 4: Stand-up comedy sets performed by Bark employees Four brave comedians climbed onstage to see if our funnybones were working. No problems there, but everyone’s sides were in ..read more

**This blog post was updated on August 30, 2021.** In honor of Pride Month, the team at Bark is highlighting the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ kids, tweens, and teens. In a 2018 survey of more than 12,000 LGBTQ+ kids conducted by the Human Rights Commission and the University of Connecticut, these young people made it crystal clear that supportive families and inclusive schools are crucial to their success and well-being as they grow up. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ kids can face greater challenges than their heterosexual peers as they navigate adolescence. And for today’s digital generation, thes ..read more

As adults, we often imagine children as perpetually happy, curious creatures. Without grown-up cares and worries, it’s difficult to imagine children being less than joyful when they have so few responsibilities. However, depression often begins in childhood, and recognizing the signs early can be critical to seek proper treatment for your child and framing depression with kindness and compassion. Unlike adults, children don’t often have the language to describe what they’re experiencing regarding mood disorders like depression. This makes it even more critical for you know and recognize the s ..read more

Depression rates have been on the rise, especially in young adults and adolescence. In fact, it’s estimated that over 3 million young adults between the age of 12-17 have had a major depressive episode. Startlingly enough, there is plenty of evidence that indicates social media may be one of the leading culprits. Technology – a Blessing or a Curse? The Dark Link Between Social Media and Depression While social media encourages socialization, communication, and offers an astounding amount of enhanced education opportunities, it is also the gateway for cyberbullying, harassment, and sexting. Som ..read more

If you suspect your child may be struggling with depression, you may feel a mix of emotions. From fear and concern to anxiety and powerlessness, it can be a stressful experience for your entire family. It can also be hard to spot — depression can look pretty different in young people than it does in adults. Teens and tweens even talk about it differently, in ways that older generations may not quite understand.  This blog post contains depression phrases and slang that kids often use to communicate their feelings. Hopefully, this resource will help families notice symptoms earlier and ge ..read more