Children and teenagers may be at higher risk of experiencing depression and anxiety from social media use, according to a U.S. Surgeon General report released last week. But social media connections to community and resources may also contribute positively to their mental health. More research is needed to understand how networks like Facebook and Instagram affect young people during a critical period of brain development.

The report also shows high rates of obesity, shortages in child care and an increase in students seriously considering suicide.

Dental services will include exams, X-rays, cleanings, sealants and fluoride applications. Services are available by appointment and urgent walk-ins are welcome before 10 a.m.

As states take steps to tighten abortion laws, conversations have been reignited about how to best support families and babies. Many policy experts point to a permanent Child Tax Credit, made available to low- and no-income families, as one way to do that.

Pediatricians are seeing an increase in children infected with respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Only a handful of monkeypox cases in the U.S. are among children, out of thousands reported so far. Yet infectious disease experts are keeping a close eye on pediatric cases.

The infant formula shortage has led some parents to consider informal milk sharing – looking for breast milk donations for their babies from neighbors or people online. But health experts warn the practice comes with risks.

Indiana’s worst ranking in the 2022 Kids Count data is in health, where it's 36th in the country.

Indiana, like many states in the U.S., is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of children in hospitals due to COVID-19. One in 38 kids with a positive COVID-19 test are hospitalized in Indiana.

Side Effects Public Media recently received questions from audience members through our texting group, the Midwest Checkup, about how the changes wrought by the pandemic may affect child development and talked to experts to provide some answers.