ORLANDO, Fla. — A Central Florida nonprofit is launching a new campaign aimed at helping parents recognize and respond to emerging mental health risks facing children and teens.
Orlando-based Breaking Thru announced the Parent Pledge, a parent-led initiative that provides families with tools to better understand the pressures young people are facing.
The campaign accompanies a new report highlighting six major concerns for parents this school year.
Six risks highlighted in new report
The report points to screen addiction and sleep loss, online gambling, cyberbullying, online predators, dangerous drugs and increasing social isolation.
Breaking Thru says local teens average more than eight and a half hours of entertainment screen time each day. The report also cites research linking heavy social media use with higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms and poorer sleep.
Online gambling is another concern. The report says more than one in three U.S. youth ages 11 to 17 have bet on sports, with rates approaching half among boys by age 17.
The report also says the Central Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated approximately 20,000 CyberTips in 2024.
Parent Pledge focuses on three commitments
The Parent Pledge asks parents to make three commitments: continue learning about the pressures children face, build relationships where children feel comfortable being honest and take action when warning signs appear.
Families can also access warning-sign checklists, conversation guides and other resources through ParentPledge.net.
The campaign includes support from Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, community leader Dick Batchelor, mental health professional C. Dwight Bain and Miss Florida runner-up Halle Burton.
Breaking Thru and its partners are scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to discuss the report and concerns facing Central Florida families.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2026 Cox Media Group
