This page shows the current trends our Compact team is seeing among youth in our area. The content is divided into three main categories: Drugs / Substances, Mental Health, and Digital Device Safety. If the topic you’re looking for is not here, please visit our resources page which holds all of our historical content and many more resources.
NEW ALABAMA VAPE AND THC LAWS
Alabama has enacted strict new laws regulating vape and THC products, especially concerning students and schools, with major changes now in effect for the 2025–2026 year. These laws aim to curb youth vaping, THC consumption, and maintain drug-free school environments, following trends similar to the state’s recent cell phone restrictions.
What Families and Students Need to Know
Vape Laws
THC Law Changes:
Key Details for Schools
Exceptions
Why It Matters
Supporters of the laws point to rising concerns about youth vaping and unregulated THC use leading to health problems and school disruptions. Alabama remains one of the strictest states in the U.S., imposing felony penalties for personal possession of many hemp-derived products. Schools must work closely with parents to ensure all students understand the new risks and consequences.
What parents can do
As districts implement these sweeping new laws, ongoing communication among schools, families, and students remains vital for a safe, supportive transition into the school year.
The article link below is summarized below and focused on youth mental health. Understanding why teens turn to substances is just as important as knowing what they are using. While curiosity and peer pressure still play a major role, today’s teens are also navigating new stressors that make them more vulnerable to experimentation and misuse. In many cases, substance use begins as a coping mechanism
Stress and anxiety, related to school, social media, and uncertain futures, can lead teens to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. With high expectations and constant digital comparison, many teens feel overwhelmed and unequipped to handle pressure in healthy ways. The lingering effects of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic have only deepened these emotional challenges and left some teens without the social or emotional resilience they once had.
One of the most powerful ways to prevent or address substance use is through honest, ongoing communication with your teen. It’s important to create a space where your child feels safe to talk without fear of judgment or punishment. These conversations should be regular and relaxed, not reserved for emergencies.
Navigating the Digital World
Cell Phone Monitoring Apps
Cell phones are a significant part of our children’s lives, offering both communication and learning benefits, as well as new challenges. This quarter’s Parent Corner explores how parents can monitor phone use and what tools are available.
Digital tools can provide insights and help set boundaries. Remember, monitoring apps are valuable, but open, honest conversations are essential. Discussing responsible use, potential dangers, and your reasons for monitoring builds trust and digital citizenship skills. Compact is here to support your family.
Here’s a concise look at popular parental control apps, their key features, and estimated costs:
Bark:
What it offers: AI monitors texts, emails, and social media for dangers like cyberbullying and predators. Provides alerts; includes location tracking, screen time, and web filtering.
Cost: Bark Jr. from $5/month; Bark Premium from ~$14/month.
Qustodio:
What it offers: Detailed insights into device/app usage, web history, calls/texts (Android). Features screen time limits, content filtering, and location tracking with geofencing.
Cost: Free limited version; Premium plans from $55/year to $100/year.
Norton Family:
What it offers: Strong web filtering, app blocking, location tracking. Manages screen time and shows YouTube history. Often bundled with Norton security.
Cost: Around $50/year as a standalone.
Google Family Link:
What it offers: Free tool to set digital ground rules for supervised Google accounts. Manages screen time, app approvals, content filters for Google services (Chrome, Play, YouTube), and location tracking. No text/call content monitoring. Works best with Android/Chrome OS child devices.
Cost: Free.
Aura Parental Controls:
What it offers: Combines parental controls with broader family security (identity theft, antivirus, VPN). Focuses on screen time management, content filtering, and in-game cyberbullying/predator alerts. Does not typically include location tracking or full message monitoring beyond gaming.
Cost: Kids plan from $10/month; Family plans with security features from $32/month.
COMPACT does not sponsor or endorse the above companies.