Parenting Today » Kids/Teens & Media

Cyber-bullying – An Explanation

Pam Myers, BSEd — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:48:34 +0000

Cyberbullying has increased along with the popularity of the internet. To effectively qualm cyber bullying, it is important not only to know the meaning of cyberbullying, but also how it presents itself and the possible effects. Awareness is the key to preventing any occurrences and to ensure that your children do not become victims.

What one [...]

Sexual Media Influences Teen Decisions About Sex

Dave Paltin, PhD — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:16:50 +0000

The media recently reported that a popular clothing retailer has decided to reintroduce a catalogue that includes semi-nude, young models for distribution to their 18-years-and-older shoppers. Parents of some online gamers have been shocked to discover that some popular games allow sexual dialogue and communication. A popular youth star has been in the media spotlight [...]

Nintendo Gets American Heart Association Stamp of Approval

Desmond Lew, MD — Sun, 23 May 2010 04:01:53 +0000

Videogames have been criticized as one of the main causes of obesity in the United States. Every year the U.S. spends millions of dollars on videogames. Most of these videogames involve pushing a few buttons and staring at a video screen. In addition to contributing to a sedentery lifestyle, children lose out on interactive play [...]

Amount of Television Viewing in Early Childhood Negatively Impacts Later Functioning

Gail Fernandez, MD — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:18:27 +0000

A new study in the May 2010 issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reports that early television exposure has negative effects on children’s functioning at follow-ups as late as fourth grade.

Dr. Pagani and colleagues examined the influence of television exposure at 29 months and changes in exposure by 53 months on psychosocial, academic, [...]

Cyber Bullying

Pam Myers, BSEd — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 21:21:51 +0000

Bullying is no longer about the strong picking on the weak in the schoolyard. Many students are using texting, e-mails, chat rooms and social networks to intimidate a peer. The damage done by cyber bullies is not easily recognized and can be infinitely more painful.

Cyber Bullying Statistics,Based on 2004 i-SAFE survey of 1,500 students grades [...]

Bullying: the one child-safety hazard we don’t address

Dave Paltin, PhD — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:47:22 +0000

Last week’s bullying related death of Phoebe Prince in Massachusettes once again demonstrates the immediate and serious child health and safety problem of bullying. In the loud echo of these nationally-publicized incidents, it would seem that there would be a national call-to-action. If it were another problem killing our children at school, let’s [...]

The Internet Dilemma

Pam Myers, BSEd — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:46:37 +0000

Children are learning at a very young age to use the internet to gather information and to connect with friends. It is important to make sure that the information and connections are accurate and healthy. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children conducted a survey and the following statistics represent the potential [...]

Cellphones, A Hazardous Convenience?

Pam Myers, BSEd — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:55:34 +0000

The jury is out on the longterm effect of cellphone use on kids. Recent research by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group states that the link between radiation from cellphones to cancers of the brain, neck, and head are troubling. The results are inconclusive but should give parents pause when considering the amount of time a [...]

Teen Cyberfights

Dave Paltin, PhD — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:47:29 +0000

I was looking over my 13 year old son’s shoulder the other day (or, as they say in teen cyberlanguage “POS” for Parent Over Shoulder) and watched his fingers quickly slip toward the enter button on the keyboard. His post, a peacemaking comment about a battle between two of his friends, appeared on the screen [...]

Media: Monster or Magician

Pam Myers, BSEd — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:24:04 +0000

Media influence on kids has become the subject of increased focus by parents, educators and health care professional. New research has named several areas of influence in which media content has a negative effect on children. Violence and aggressive behavior, sexual content, body image and self esteem and physical health and school performance were sited [...]