The Internet is Changing the Way Our Kids Access Music
As our kids get older and start to dictate the sort of music they want to hear, the bands they want to see, or the music they want to play themselves, I think we are going to see some radically different musical directions being taken in the future. Now, my 15-year-old doesn’t really listen to the radio, or buy CDs. Read full article
Shaming Teen Mums is a Bad Idea
What if instead of deciding to shame teenagers out of 'choosing' to become parents with a questionable 'public health' campaign, New York City instead focused their efforts on ending the 'epidemic' of advanced age motherhood? Imagine the outrage. Read full article
Reducing Aggression by Teaching Teens that People Can Change
When adults see media coverage of teens reacting aggressively to minor provocation, they often assume this behaviour is influenced by a teenager’s family background and experiences. And although a hostile family and school environment can contribute to aggressive behaviour, new research shows that the tendency of teens to act aggressively also depends on their belief about people’s ability or inability to change. This finding may help adults create education programs aimed at reducing violence and aggressive behaviour, and give parents important ideas on how to talk to children about people’s potential for change. Three key ideas for parents and teachers are included in this article. Read full article
Will Our Kids Be Better 'Technology Parents'?
So this morning I saw the headline “Our web-addict kids miss out on meals and sleep”.And I thought, somewhat judgementally - surely their parents can do something about that? And at the same time I acknowledged, from my own personal experience, how hard it is to get teens to stop using a computer and do something else. Read full article
Effective Strategies to Prevent Teen Depression and Suicide
Untreated depression is one of the leading causes of teen suicide, and signs of depression can also be a warning that a teenager is contemplating suicide. In an article published this week in the quarterly journal, The Prevention Researcher, University of Cincinnati researchers described how positive connections can help offset these tragedies...The authors state that teen suicidal warning signs encompass three specific categories ... Read full article
Why Do So Many Teenagers Get Into Trouble?
Whether it be managing the unexpected behaviours of teenagers, a chronic disability, an acute illness, or mental health issues, Benison O'Reilly explores why teenagers get into trouble even with supportive parenting. Read full article
Why Do Teens Take More Risks? Do They?
A study by researchers at New York University, Yale’s School of Medicine, and Fordham University suggests that one reason why adolescents tolerate situations where the outcome is uncertain is that they have a higher level of comfort with “the ambiguous”. And this result could help in suggesting new ways for parents and teachers to talk to teenagers about risk. What do you think? Read full article
Do Your Children Play on Smartphones in Restaurants?
Late last year, I was sitting in a pizzeria in Balmain having dinner with my then 14-year-old. The restaurant was full with most of the tables taken up with families, not a great surprise on an early Saturday night. However, as I looked around the room, I noticed a pretty astounding thing. Apart from our table, every single child in the restaurant – and I mean every single child – was playing on some smartphone, tablet or games device. And these were children of all ages, from kids in prams and high chairs to older teenagers. Read full article
Are Teens Passive Smoking via Their iPhones?
A recent study from the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney uncovered 107 pro-smoking apps downloadable from smartphone application stores globally...The study notes there are no data available about who downloads these apps, but the high quality 3D designs, free access, and the share-ability on social media of some of these apps, makes them particularly appealing to the teen consumer. Read full article
Losing a Parent to Cancer and Finding a Place to Heal
Maree’s husband, Allan, died earlier this year after battling brain cancer, throwing her world into turmoil and disrupting the lives of her two young daughters as they struggled to cope with the fear and devastation of losing their father, and the uncertainty this meant for their future. Read full article
