Boca Raton Center for Child & Family

04/26/2026

New blog: The Dark Side of AI Chat — how manipulative AI conversations are harming teens' mental health and what we must do about it. Read insights from Dr. Edan M. Alcalay on warning signs, real-world cases, and steps parents, educators, and policymakers can take to protect youth. Read more: https://wix.to/O5tGALQ

Artificial intelligence chatbots have become a part of everyday life for many young people. These AI systems offer companionship, answers, and sometimes even emotional support. Yet, beneath this convenience lies a growing concern: AI chat technology is being used in ways that manipulate and coerce t...

04/26/2026

04/11/2026

Why are kids so drawn to screens? It's not just the apps — it's the psychological need to feel significant. In our latest post, Dr. Edan M. Alcalay explains how feeling overlooked drives children toward digital attention and offers practical steps parents, educators, and caregivers can use to help kids find real, lasting significance beyond the screen. Read more: https://wix.to/6PCAuze

Screen time addiction among children is often blamed on apps designed to keep them hooked. While this is partly true, the deeper reason lies in a psychological need that screens fulfill: the need for significance. When children feel overlooked or unimportant in their daily lives, the digital world o...

04/02/2026

As clinicians at Boca Raton Center for Child & Family, we see teens using AI tools for homework and, increasingly, for personal advice. I want to be clear: AI can make learning easier, but it isn’t a substitute for human-guided therapy when it comes to identity, emotions, or deeper mental-health concerns. AI chats often mirror what users want to hear and can unintentionally create echo chambers that delay seeking real help.

If your teen is asking big questions about identity or feeling anxious, encourage open conversation and consider professional support. We combine specialized therapy for children and teens with innovative tools like Mindvybe to provide compassionate, evidence-informed care that helps young people explore themselves safely. Let’s keep technology as a helpful supplement—not the sole guide—in a teen’s journey to well-being.

Want to learn more or book a consultation? Tell us your concerns in the comments or click to read the full article. https://wix.to/3jt6v0I

04/02/2026

As a clinician at Boca Raton Center for Child & Family, I see how social media can quietly take hold of kids’ lives. This post outlines clear warning signs—preoccupation, mood shifts, neglecting responsibilities—and practical, empathetic steps parents can use: set consistent limits together, model healthy habits, encourage offline activities, and validate feelings instead of dismissing them.

If you’re in Boca Raton and worried about a child or teen, our team offers specialized therapy and tools like Mindvybe to help reduce stress and restore balance. Read the full guide and find supportive resources: https://wix.to/yp1vywx

What’s one small boundary you’ve tried that helped at home? Share below — your experience might help another family. 😊

Social media has become a central part of daily life for many children and teenagers. Recent legal disputes involving major platforms like Meta and Google have brought social media addiction into the spotlight. These cases highlight the growing concern about how social media affects young minds. Par...

04/02/2026

Is your child spending more time on social media than you think? Our new blog breaks down key indicators of social media addiction in kids and offers practical parenting tips to set healthy boundaries without making them feel excluded. Read more: https://wix.to/boMJSkB

Social media has become a central part of daily life for many children and teenagers. Recent legal disputes involving major platforms like Meta and Google have brought social media addiction into the spotlight. These cases highlight the growing concern about how social media affects young minds. Par...

03/17/2026

New on the blog: The Risks of Using AI Tools for Teen Self-Discovery and Identity Formation. Teens increasingly turn to AI for personal guidance — but AI can’t replace therapy or the nuanced process of identity formation. Read practical concerns and guidance for parents, educators, and clinicians. https://wix.to/GK22NvD

03/16/2026

How does social media shape teen identity — and what role does fear-based content play in rising anxiety? In my latest post, I explore how platforms influence adolescents' self-image, decision-making, and stress levels, and offer practical steps for caregivers and educators to help teens navigate this landscape. Read more: https://wix.to/ozViKWB

03/06/2026

New on the blog: The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers' Perspectives and Identity Formation in a Fast-Paced Information Age — a concise 3-minute read exploring how rapid information flow shapes teens' views, biases, and identity development. Read now: https://wix.to/iNla5JY

Social media has transformed how teenagers see the world around them. The speed at which information spreads today is unlike anything before, and this rapid flow shapes young minds in profound ways. Teenagers often encounter news, opinions, and ideas that are unverified or highly subjective, which c...

03/06/2026

Worried your child may be showing signs of anxiety? At Boca Raton Center for Child & Family (950 Peninsula Corp Circle), we’re here to help. We assess age-specific signs—like clinginess and tantrums in younger kids, school avoidance and sleep problems in tweens, or persistent worry and withdrawal in teens—and provide on-site, child-centered evaluations and follow-up care for anxiety, depression, and trauma. If you’d like a clear next step, schedule an initial assessment so our team can create a personalized plan and connect you with ongoing therapy or family support. Learn more and book an appointment: https://wix.to/W18zrAr

03/06/2026

Notice your child constantly seeking crunching, spinning, or heavy pressure? At our Boca Raton clinic (950 Peninsula Corp Circle), we combine empathetic care with evidence-informed tools like Mindvybe and vagus nerve–focused strategies to support sensory-seeking kids. Try a simple deep-pressure activity today (firm hugs or weighted lap blanket) and watch for calmer regulation; if concerns persist, our team offers assessment and tailored therapy grounded in sensory processing research. Learn more: https://wix.to/p7LMSuM