Energy Drinks and Teens
According to a recent Time Magazine article, the afternoon coffee break –- and energy boost -- may just become a generational thing. Those under age 24 are now more likely to reach for a caffeine-loaded energy drink. And that trend just might mean risky business for today's teens. More…
Living from the Inside Out...When is it OK to Quit?
In addition to academic pressures, thousands of kids feel pressure through involvement in sports, drama, dance, music lessons. According to the organization Citizenship Through Sports Alliance, 70% of kids quit youth sports by the time they are 14. Why? And when can it really be healthy for kids to quit? More…
Living from the Inside Out...A Focus on Values
Test scores. Competitive team sports. And even technology, where from the outside looking in...it all seems perfect: Smiling faces. Pretty clothes. Friends, fame and fun. It's a virtual party, 24/7. Experts say media – from reality TV to social networks – paint anything but reality for today's teens. How can we help kids focus on the important values they need to navigate today's world? More…
ADHD and Depression
New research published in the Archives of General Psychiatry shows that children with ADHD are at an increased risk for depression and suicidal thoughts -- and very well may need treatment for both. This reinforces the belief that parents of even young children with ADHD should pay close attention to their child's behavior. More…
Sex, Drugs and 'Hyper-Texting'
New provocative research presented recently at the meeting of the American Public Health Association reveals that teens who text 120 times a day or more – and there are a lot of them – are more likely to have sex or used alcohol than those who don't "hyper-text." More…
College Prep...or Not?
As high school seniors all over the country work to complete their college applications, a troubling new study called the 2010 Deloitte Education Survey reveals that slightly less than one-third of high school educators feel their students are prepared for college when they leave high school. In fact, findings support that a third of college students are taking remedial courses in college. More…
Obesity Still Top Concern for Kids
It may sound ironic, but 40 companies that make our favorite junk foods are joining together to fight obesity, committing $20 million toward exercise awareness. Called the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, these companies want all of us -- especially children – to know that if we're eating Oreos, macaroni and cheese and lots of holiday goodies, we had better burn more calories than they take in. Fighting childhood obesity requires an attack on many fronts. More…
Cultural Currency: Identity Theft and Social Networks
There's lots of personal information shared on today's social networks: Birthdates, phone numbers and photos. Seemingly anonymous posts can lead to identity theft, according to specialists at the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project – particularly for 18- to 24-year-olds. More…
Alcohol and the Teen Brain
Duke University recently announced the permanent cancelation of tail-gating at football games after a 14-year-old was found passed out drunk in a port-a-potty before the game. A study by John Hopkins University finds the average age of drinking onset for women is 17.4 and 16.5 for men. What does alcohol do to the developing teenage brain? More…
Living from the Inside Out...Technical Difficulties
Test scores. Competitive team sports. And even technology, where photos on Facebook and posts on Twitter report on who is doing what with whom... and who's been left out. Is technology actually fueling today's teen anxiety? Is this real life or just really stressful for today's teens? More…
