New Short Film, 'The Truth', By Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, Addresses Social Media Use By Teens And Tweens

    WILMINGTON, NC, November 19, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein's new short film, 'The Truth' addresses issues that teens and tweens must contend with every day. While teens and tweens stuggle with these issues, parents, grandparents and educators may stuggle just to understand the issues involved. 'The Truth' is based on her book, 'Secrets: Diary Of A Gutsy Tween', just awarded a Silver Medal in the 2015 Moonbeam Book Awards in the Pre-Teen Fiction category. As a Positive Psychologist, Dr. Holstein is dedicated to helping teens and tweens build self esteem. Much of her focus is on social media and how it affects young people.

A recent report by CNN showed that teens spend up to 9 hours a day on social media. For many, it is the dominating factor in their lives. Combined with the popularity of hashtags such #Almost Thirteen and #Selfies, a clear picture of the importance of social media begins to emerge. That is not without danger however, as numerous studies have shown that social media can be a negative influence of young people in many ways - not the least of which is self esteem.

"Have you noticed," asked Dr. Holstein, "your daughter taking selfies of herself? Maybe even Selfie videos? Ever wonder why she is taking them? Or even more important, where she is posting them? And have you ever asked yourself how many hours a day is she really using social media in one way or another?"

"As a psychologist I've been watching the Selfie movement for several years and I notice several factors for adults and kids: It is a great way to easily journal one's life. It is an easy way to stay in touch with friends and loved ones.However, there are many other issues that are not so benign."

"For adults, putting up a selfie up in the wrong place could lose you your job. Send a selfie of the wrong parts of your body and you can ruin your professional life. For kids it is just as potentially dangerous. They can do all of the above, but there is another level that is often more desperate than what adults experience. In the growing up process, kids often need to express themselves and be understood. And even more often they can feel left out or misunderstood. This can led to all sorts of selfie problems from corresponding with strangers to taking pictures and videos that seems like fun one minute and are regretted the next. But often it's too late, they are up somewhere.""

Dr. Holstein does not stop with award-winning books. She has also produced a stage play entitled 'The Locket'. And she now has a new short film in production entitled 'The Truth, A Short Film'. Like her award-winning books, both the play and the new short film focus on the issues teens and tweens face.

"The Girl in 'The Truth, a Short Film' is yearning to be understood and heard," Dr Holstein continued. "She keeps a diary, but in today's world it doesn't feel like enough. That is why she uses her video camera or phone to also record her life and her feelings. She is desperate to be listened to and to know more about growing up."

"Who will listen? Will she just delete the videos later? Or will she look for somewhere to post them? Will it be You Tube or a to a stranger? Who will become the listener that she needs so clearly in her life? Maybe you will decide for yourself after you see the film and think more about what your own tween or teen is doing with all those hours of social media in her life."

"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: Diary Of A Gutsy Teen". In 'Secrets' the girl is 13 years old. 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 have been re-released by Sky Pony Press.

Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at [email protected]. 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.TheTruthForGirls.com. Information on the film can be found at http://www.NewShortFilmTheTruth.com.

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.

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