Parents often put parental controls for their kids and keep an eye on their media consumption at all times but often neglect their own usage by a mile. When you are telling kids to not do certain things and then proceed to do it yourself, you send a hypocritical message to kids. They start believing that you are making up rules and they are not that important, because if they were you yourself would’ve been following it! While you may not think that your media usage should be your kid’s business, a new study shows that it has a direct effect on your kids. Not just their mentality, but also what your screen hours show them that the internet is a safe place where they can explore whatever content they want. It is very easy for kids to override the age rule and get access to mature content, which lead to them consuming these videos and media from an early age! A new study looked at how parents' phone use might affect whether their kids see inappropriate content. Researchers found that when parents spend a lot of time on their phones and don't have clear rules about media use at home, their kids are more likely to watch R-rated movies or play video games meant for adults. The study talked to over 10,000 kids aged 12 and 13.

What Did The Study Reveal?

A recent study published in the journal BMC Pediatrics has revealed a potential link between parents' phone habits and their children's consumption of inappropriate content. The researchers wanted to learn more about how parents can help their young teens with media use. They explained that while there's advice for younger kids and older teens, there's not much for this age group. These young teens are in a tricky stage, they're not little kids anymore, but they're not quite teenagers either. The study wanted to see how what parents do and the rules they make affect what kind of content young teens are exposed to.

Parents answered questions about their own phone use, like how often they try to limit their screen time around their kids. The kids also answered questions about how often they watch R-rated movies or play mature video games. The study found that the more time parents spent on their phones, the more likely their kids were to consume mature content. Things like using phones during meals or in bedrooms seemed to be especially linked to kids seeing this type of content.

Why Should Parent’s Mobile Usage Be A Concern?

Experts say it's important for parents to be aware of their own phone habits, because kids often copy what they see. They suggest that parents should "practice what they preach", if they make a rule about no phones at the dinner table, they should follow it too. Experts also recommend that families create a media plan together with clear rules, like limiting screen time during meals and before bed, talking about what they see online, not using screen time as punishment, and using it as a reward for good habits. Basically, the study shows that what parents do with their phones can really influence what their kids are doing online.

How You Can Reduce Your Screen Time?

First, see how much you're using them and set small goals to cut back. Make some areas and times in your house phone-free, like during meals and before sleep, this is a great chance to connect with your family. Turn off notifications you don't need and find fun things to do instead of being on your phone, maybe even things your family can do together. Put your phone away so it's not always tempting and think about why you're picking it up. Tell your family you're trying to use your phone less, and maybe they'll join you! If it's tough, think about taking a break from all screens for a bit. It takes time, so be patient with yourself and enjoy the extra time you have with your family. This not only benefits you but also sets a positive example for your children.

Frida Baby thermometer is facing severe backlash after parents criticized the company's marketing language on its packaging. The parents claimed that the company cracked sexual jokes on using baby thermometers and that it crossed a line for a product that was designed for infants.

The controversy gained more traction this week after a social media user posted about it on X with photos stating that the marketing relies on sexual jokes.

An X user @staystaystace wrote: "sexual jokes to market baby products is actually sick and twisted @fridababy this is absolutely appalling and disgusting".

Frida Baby Thermometer: What Was The Problem With Marketing

The photos include a screenshot of the thermometer packaging on which the graphics are pointed out to be problematic and inappropriate by the parents. Furthermore, the caption on the official account of Frida Baby social media reads: 'This is the closest your husband's gonna get to a threesome...'

In another photo of Frida Baby 3-in-1 Eat, Forehead and Touchless Thermometer, the marketing phrase reads: 'How About A Quickie?'

Another photo on steps for using the humidifier, the caption on the packaging reads: 'I Get Turned On Easily'. While a fourth photo reads: 'I'm A [Powerful] Sucker'.

Parents claim that the brand has used sexual market phrases found similarly on self care toys and massagers for products which are made for infants.

Read: Six-year-old Child Dies Of Medical Negligence During MRI At Greater Noida Imaging Centre

Amid this, older content from 2020, including deleted social media posts resurfaced featuring a baby with visible nose discharge and the caption read: 'What Happens When You Pull Out Too Early #nosefrida #dontmove'.

More recently, Frida Baby again drew attention for an Instagram post that centered on breastfeeding. The carousel post includes slides with statements like: 'Boobs, everyone loves to see them', followed by commentary on how breasts are widely accepted in pop culture, but criticized in the context of feeding a child. The final slide reads: 'Show Us What Your Boobs Can Do', which directs readers to company's website. A user on the Instagram post commented: "Hey so why do you sexualize your products??"

Another photo that resurfaced from 2021 reads: 'Top Windi Pro-Tips to tap that [g]ass (and sometimes even [poop emoji]):

• - Massage it real good
• - Lube that ish up
• - Wear a poncho

However, there were some parents who also defended the brand's tone and argued that humor is clearly aimed at adults who are navigated through the realities of parenting.

Frida Baby Thermometer: How Did The Brand React?

In an emailed statement, as reported by Complex, the spokesperson for the brand said:

From the very beginning, Frida has used humor to talk about the real, raw, and messy parts of parenting that too often go unspoken. We do this because parenting can be isolating and overwhelming, and sometimes a moment of levity is what makes a hard experience feel human, shared, and survivable.

Our products are designed for babies, but our voice has always been written for the adults caring for them. Our intention has consistently been to make awkward and difficult experiences feel lighter, more honest, and less isolating for parents.

That said, humor is personal. What’s funny to one parent can feel like too much to another. We’re never trying to offend, push boundaries for shock value, or make anyone uncomfortable. Importantly, our tone is never separate from our product. The humor we use is always grounded in a specific feature, benefit, or innovation — a reflection of the real problem we are solving for families.

Frida was built to support families through some of the most vulnerable and transformative chapters of their lives. We stand firmly behind that mission. We will continue to show up with honesty, empathy, and courage.

With each decision we make, we will continue to evaluate how we express our voice so that our commitment to families is unmistakable and our tone always meets the moment.

Infants cannot speak, so how do new parents know if their babies are hungry?

Picture this. You have just changed your baby's diaper, and went to bed, to finally rest. Suddenly, you hear a loud wail. Your baby is crying, again! This time, it is the hungry cry.

But what if we tell you that you no longer have to disrupt your rest with your baby's cry for hunger? This is only possible when you already know when to feed your baby. Babies cannot tell when they are hungry, so more often than not, parents may miss to understand they are hungry, until the hunger cry starts. But there are some cues you can look for to feed your baby!

Read: Are Indians 'Pressure Cooker' Parenting Their Kids? Gurugram CEO Raises Questions

Hunger Cues In Your Baby

Increased Activity

Your baby might become more alert and active. Thinking about food can make babies excited, so you may notice them moving around more than usual.

Head-Turning

Babies often turn their heads from side to side as if searching for food.

Mouth Movements

Look for signs like opening and closing their mouth, resembling a tiny bird waiting to be fed.

Rooting Reflex

Turning their head toward the breast, chest, or bottle is a classic hunger cue.

Sucking Motions

Babies may make sucking motions with their mouths, even if they don’t have a pacifier or bottle nearby.

Lip Smacking or Drooling

Increased drooling, lip-smacking, or sticking out their tongue are all signals they’re getting ready for a meal.

Sucking on Hands or Clothing

Your baby might start sucking on their fingers, hands, or even their clothes as a sign of hunger.

Clenched Fists

Watch for little fists clenching in frustration and impatience.

Focused Eye Contact

Babies who recognize their primary feeder might stare and follow you around the room with their eyes.

Facial Expressions

A furrowed brow or a distressed look might be your baby’s way of saying, “When’s the next meal?”

The “Neh” Sound

According to Dunstan baby language, the sound “neh” just before crying often means hunger.

Also remember that hunger pangs are strong enough to wake most babies, even from deep sleep. However, if your baby consistently sleeps for extended periods, it’s important to ensure they’re feeding frequently enough for their age.

For newborns, it’s generally recommended that they don’t regularly sleep longer than 4 hours at a stretch. Occasional long naps are fine—especially if they give you a much-needed rest! However, if your baby frequently sleeps through feeding times, consult your pediatrician to determine if gentle wake-ups for feeding are necessary.

How do you know your baby is feeding well enough?

It can be difficult to ensure that your baby is well fed, especially if you are breastfeeding, or when your baby is not of the age when he can talk. However, there are signals too for this, in fact your baby also learns how to signal that they need more milk or food.

It also depends on the age. For instance, a newborn will feed often, usually every 2 to 3 hours and sometime smore often. They feed up to 12 times every 24 hours. As your baby grows, their tummies grow too, in fact the tummy grows form a size of cherry at birth to walnut in 3 days. In a week, it is at the size of plum and in a month, it is of the size of a large chicken egg.

The "I am not hungry right now" signs for babies are:

• releasing or pushing away the breast or bottle
• closing their mouth and not responding to encouragement to latch on or suck again
• open and relaxed hands (instead of clenched)
• relaxing their body and even going a little limp
• looking around and showing interest in playing or other things
• looking content and maybe even smiling
• appearing happily drowsy and ready to go back to sleep

"Indian parenting is pressure cooker parenting. One of the worst models globally. Not because parents are evil. But because the system is broken and no one questions it," wrote co-founder and CEO of Knot Dating Jasveer Singh on X.

He further wrote: "Most Indian parents didn't raise children. They raised outcomes. Children are treated like owned assets."

Netizens reacting to his X post acknowledged the truth behind the statements he made. One of the users wrote: "This hit hard. Every line feels personal! You just described half of middle class India in one post."

While another wrote: "Oh my god! I love this post!! I'm sharing it -- it's brilliant. And so true. Hard feel!! I don't know who you are. But bless you".

What Is Pressure Cooker Parenting And Why Is It Being Discussed?

Singh's statement was not centered on parental intent, but on a system that leaves limited space for emotional expression for children and parents alike.

Pressure Cooker parenting comes from the utensil popularly used in Indian households called pressure cooker. It is a sealed pot that cooks food faster by using high pressure steam. It is compared to parenting because children are often under high pressure form their parents and society where they are expected to do certain thing and to become what their parents want.

While 2026 is switching away from gentle parenting, this way of parenting could do more harm to the child.

Pressuring the child could impact their confidence. Furthermore, when Singh wrote: "Children are raised like owned assets". It refers to the norm of how parents raise their kids to become something so they could be used as a social currency.

More often than not, a child's status, in terms of the work he or she does, and the salary he or she earns, the status of a family is decided. While it is an unsaid rule, it does pressurizes children into it.

What Is Wrong With Indian Parenting?

In a 2022 Facebook post shared by entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo, he noted things that are wrong with Indian way of parenting, which included:

• Comparison between children with others' children.
• Killing curiosity by not responding to their questions or saying that they are dumb and silly.
• Focusing more on society, especially on who to marry, how to dress, where to work.
• Looking at the world through their own experiences.
• Emotional blackmail.
• Dismissing mental health.
• Lack of trust in their own kids.
• Not teaching them about financial independence.