Columns - Irish Examiner

Colman Noctor

Dr Colman Noctor is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, a senior mental health lecturer at SETU Waterford, and the host of the 'Asking for a Parent' podcast.

Young Girl Organizing School Supplies Into a Backpack in a Study Room

Colman Noctor: 'When can our children get the chance to practise responsibility?'

Nobody learns responsibility by being told to be responsible; they learn it by carrying responsibility

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Colman Noctor: Tech is not just replacing play, it's making kids self-conscious about playing

Toy Story 5 is one of those rare films that entertain children while prompting adults to reflect

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Low angle view of smiling boys and girls in casual giving high five stacking hands together outside

Colman Noctor: Why capable children often lack true self-worth

Children should learn that mistakes are opportunities to grow, not evidence that they are fundamentally flawed.

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Colman Noctor: How to support teens in their first emotional experiences

When a relationship becomes very serious at a young age, opportunities for individual growth and exploration may become limited.

Tue, 14 Jul, 2026

Happy mother holding phone taking selfie on cellphone with daughter

Colman Noctor: Sharenting is about being seen in a world where the village has moved online

Could it be that social media has stepped into the space once occupied by community?

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Emotional teenage girl using smartphone on bed at home, space for text

Colman Noctor: Protecting children means tackling social media's harms

As an academic, a clinician, and a parent, I can see the argument from both sides.

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Family enjoys an exciting soccer match together at home, celebrating every goal with joy and enthusiasm

Colman Noctor: World Cup creates rare opportunities for families to come together

Colman Noctor talks about the importance of family rituals and how to avoid a fragmented family

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Colman Noctor: Teenagers need a sense of belonging — not entertainment

Young teenagers are seeking experiences that help them feel capable and competent — they want to be treated as emerging adults

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Colman Noctor: A teen’s ability to adapt is more important than having a fully formed life plan

Many of the healthiest and happiest adults I know are not those who got everything right the first time, but those who learned to adapt when life didn’t go to plan

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

Colman Noctor: What we can learn from the Carlow school shooting threat

Young people in Ireland are no longer immune to the broader cultural forces that can dangerously shape disaffection among youth

Tue, 02 Jun, 2026