• Social worker Meir Oster of Monsey, New York, shares practical guidance for parents, teens, and caregivers navigating modern social challenges.

New York, US, 22nd January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Meir Oster, an MSW and community-based social worker, spends his time focused on one core mission: helping people. In recent years, much of his work has centered on teens and the growing impact of online behaviour, especially cyberbullying. Below, Oster answers common questions he hears from families, educators, and young people themselves.

Q: What is cyberbullying, and why is it such a serious issue right now?

“Cyberbullying happens when harm follows a teen home through their phone,” Oster says. “There’s no break from it.”
According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 teens report being bullied online, and those experiences are linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Q: How does cyberbullying affect teens differently from in-person bullying?

“Online attacks feel permanent,” Oster explains. “Screenshots last, messages spread, and teens feel exposed.”
Research shows that teens who experience cyberbullying are over twice as likely to report emotional distress compared to peers who do not.

Q: What signs should parents or caregivers look for?

“Withdrawal is a big one,” Oster says. “Mood changes, avoiding school, or sudden silence online.”
Studies indicate that over 60% of bullied teens do not initially tell an adult, making observation and conversation critical.

Q: What should a teen do first if they are being bullied online?

“Pause and don’t respond emotionally,” Oster advises. “Save evidence and tell a trusted adult.”
Blocking and reporting harmful behaviour can reduce repeat incidents by up to 40%, according to platform safety data.

Q: How can parents talk to teens about online behaviour without shutting them down?

“Ask, don’t accuse,” Oster says. “Curiosity builds trust.”
Teens who feel supported at home are 50% more likely to seek help early, reducing long-term harm.

Q: Can schools or communities really make a difference?

“Yes,” Oster says simply. “Clear policies and follow-through matter.”
Schools with defined anti-bullying programmes report significantly lower repeat incidents year over year.

Q: What role does social work play in prevention and recovery?

“Social work creates space to talk, reflect, and rebuild confidence,” Oster explains. “It’s about helping people feel seen.”
Early support has been shown to lower long-term mental health risks by nearly 30% for affected teens.

If you do nothing else

If you take only a few steps, start here:

1. Ask teens how they feel online, not just what they post

2. Normalize asking for help early

3. Keep communication open and judgment-free

4. Save evidence of harmful messages

5. Use blocking and reporting tools

6. Encourage offline support and balance

7. Reach out to a qualified professional when needed

Call to Action
If this Q&A helped clarify even one concern, share it with a parent, educator, or teen who could benefit. Awareness is often the first step toward prevention.

About Meir Oster
Meir Oster is a Master of Social Work (MSW) based in Monsey, New York. His work focuses on helping people navigate personal and social challenges, with particular attention to teen wellbeing and online safety. Through practical guidance and community support, he works to create safer, healthier environments for young people and families.

•  Anthony D’Anna, a business leader based in the United States, shares a practical standard individuals can adopt to improve career decisions, learning habits, and long-term outcomes.

Nevada, US, 22nd January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Anthony D’Anna is encouraging individuals to adopt a simple personal standard he believes is often overlooked: treat your life and career like a system that requires focus, routine maintenance, and periodic review. Drawing from his experience running a small Italian deli, working in finance, and leading business operations, D’Anna argues that many negative outcomes come not from bad intentions, but from ignoring basic practices.

“Doing one thing well beats doing five things halfway,” D’Anna says. “Most problems don’t appear overnight. They grow when small issues are ignored.”

His proposed standard centres on three behaviours: limiting multitasking, reviewing progress regularly, and maintaining skills and systems before problems appear. According to D’Anna, these habits apply equally to work, learning, health routines, and decision-making.

“Growth without structure is just risk disguised as progress,” he notes. “You have to understand how things work before trying to improve them.”
“You can’t improve what you don’t review,” he adds.
“Leadership, even personal leadership, is about consistency, not intensity.”

Why the Basics Matter

Research supports the cost of neglecting fundamentals:
• Studies show chronic multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40 percent.
• Nearly 60 percent of professionals report burnout linked to lack of focus and unclear priorities.
• Businesses and individuals who skip regular reviews are more likely to repeat avoidable mistakes, increasing stress and inefficiency.
• Learning retention drops significantly without reflection or reinforcement, leading to wasted time and stalled progress.

D’Anna believes these same patterns show up in personal lives. “Ignoring maintenance doesn’t keep problems small,” he says. “It just delays the moment you have to deal with them.”

Anthony D’Anna invites individuals to adopt this personal standard for the next 30 days and observe the difference. “You don’t need a new goal,” he says. “You need better habits around the ones you already have.”

He encourages people to share the checklist with colleagues, friends, or teams as a starting point for better outcomes built on focus, structure, and consistency.

About Anthony D’Anna

Anthony D’Anna is a business leader with experience in hands-on management, finance, and operations. He began his career running his own Italian deli before expanding into strategy and investment work. Known for his practical thinking and system-based approach, D’Anna focuses on clarity, discipline, and sustainable progress across business and personal development.

• Travis Braulick, a financial professional based in New Ulm, Minnesota, warns individuals and families about a widespread but avoidable risk quietly affecting people across southern Minnesota and beyond.

Minnesota, US, 22nd January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, According to Travis Braulick, one of the most common financial risks people face today is not market volatility or income changes. It is operating without clarity.

“Most financial stress has very little to do with money itself,” Braulick explains. “It’s about not knowing what comes next.”

This lack of clarity often turns into a trap. People delay decisions, avoid conversations, or assume they will address things later. Over time, uncertainty compounds stress and limits options.

The scope of the issue is widespread:

• Nearly 52% of Americans say they do not have a written financial plan
  

• Over 60% of adults avoid reviewing financial statements regularly
  

• About 45% of households report ongoing financial stress, regardless of income
  

• More than 50% of people say they feel unsure how a major life change would affect their finances
  

• Fewer than 4 in 10 adults feel confident explaining their own financial picture clearly

“Stress grows when the future feels vague,” Braulick says. “It eases when there’s a plan, even if it needs adjusting.”

The Hidden Risk: Avoidance Disguised as Stability

Many people assume that as long as nothing is wrong today, everything is fine. Braulick says this mindset is risky.

“Silence creates room for worry to grow,” he notes. “Clear communication changes everything.”

Avoidance often shows up as unopened mail, postponed conversations, or plans that were never revisited after major life changes.

Self-Check Quiz: Are You at Risk?

Answer yes or no to the following questions:

1. Do you avoid looking at certain financial statements?
   

2. Would you struggle to explain your financial picture in simple terms?
   

3. Have you had major life changes without revisiting your plan?
   

4. Do financial decisions feel stressful or rushed?
   

5. Are you unsure what your next financial step should be?
   

6. Do you compare your situation to others often?
   

7. Have you delayed asking questions you know you should ask?
   

8. Do you feel uncertain about how prepared you are for change?

If you answered “yes” to three or more, it may be time to pause and reassess.

“Confidence grows with understanding,” Braulick says. “Not perfection. Understanding.”

What to Do Next: A Simple Decision Tree

If you feel unsure:

• Write down your top three concerns
  

• Organize all key documents in one place

If you feel overwhelmed:

• Focus on one issue, not everything
  

• Schedule uninterrupted time to review it

If you feel stuck:

• Talk with a trusted family member
  

• Seek a licensed professional with local ties

If you feel confident:

• Review your plan anyway
  

• Make sure it still fits your life today

“Stress is rarely about numbers alone,” Braulick explains. “It’s about responsibility, control, and clarity.”

Why Acting Early Matters

Addressing uncertainty early keeps small issues from becoming big ones. People who review plans regularly report lower stress and greater confidence during change.

“People don’t need pressure,” Braulick says. “They need direction.”

Call to Action
Run the self-check today. Choose one step from the decision tree and take action this week. Share this alert with a friend or family member who might be avoiding the same questions.

About Travis Braulick
Travis Braulick is a Vice President of Investment and Insurance Services and a financial professional based in New Ulm, Minnesota. With more than a decade of experience, he focuses on clear communication, consistency, and helping individuals navigate uncertainty with confidence and perspective.