TEACHING KIDS THE LOST ART OF SOCIAL SMARTS

Have you noticed that kids today seem to spend more time with screens than with friends?

A recent study from the Child Mind Institute (2025) found that both parents and students see loneliness, bullying, and academic pressure as the biggest threats to young people’s wellbeing.

It’s worrying to read that 40% of high school students feel persistently sad or hopeless — and one in five has seriously considered suicide in the past year. Even more concerning, 31% of teens live with a diagnosed emotional, behavioural, or developmental condition.

So what’s happening?

Somewhere between the invention of television, dishwashers, and social media, we’ve lost
those everyday family moments — chatting at dinner, playing outside, or just hanging out.

Our kids are “connected,” but not really connecting.

That’s why it’s time to go back to basics.
Just like animals teach their young how to play, share, and get along, we need to help our children learn to communicate, cooperate, and develop real friendships.

The good news?

These skills can be learned.
That’s exactly why I wrote The Social Smarts Handbook: Navigating Friendships and Challenging People. It draws on neuroscience, animal behaviour, and my model of relating to give families a simple, practical recipe for helping kids build confidence and connection.
Because if an animal can learn to get along — so can our kids.

Evelyn M Field OAM, FAPS, is a psychologist, bestselling author, and internationally recognised expert on school and workplace bullying. For over 45 years, she has helped children, parents, and professionals understand and manage bullying, teaching practical strategies to build confidence, resilience, and respectful relationships.

A Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, Evelyn received the Order of Australia Medal for her pioneering work in bullying prevention. She has provided therapy for children and adults affected by bullying and trained professionals across Australia and overseas.

Evelyn is the author of ten books, including Bully Blocking, Harry the Bully Blocker, and The Social Smarts Handbook: Navigating Friendships and Challenging People (2025). Her books give families and educators practical tools to help young people handle difficult social situations and empower families to help their children build better relationships. 

Evelyn is also a popular speaker—at schools, community events, and on cruise ships—sharing her warm, engaging advice to help families support children’s wellbeing and resilience