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When Wasting Time Hurts

How many of us, as adults are guilty of wasting time on screens? I'm sure everyone should be raising their hands. This week Screenagers tackles this issue with teens and tweens in the article below: I am impressed by the number of tweens and teens who tell me they feel bad about spending a lot of time on screens. These young people say things like "I hate that I wasted the day away." I then ask if they ever talk about this feeling at home. Generally, they say "no" because they don't want their parents to say something like "yeah, see I told you so," or "well, you should have known and just gone outside.” It is summer now, and plenty of youth are spending many hours on screens. Finding ways to help them identify [...]

When Wasting Time Hurts2022-09-19T18:56:10+00:00

Going Phone-less for Camp

Summer camp is an exciting time, and with just a few more weeks of summer left kids are cramming in as much fun as possible. Screenagers had a great article, below, about the benefits of a screen free camp. Both day and sleep-away camps provide great opportunities for kids to unplug, connect face-to-face with people of many different ages and learn new skills.  And, many parents are loving this support of no-tech camp rules.  Lindsay L. says, “No screens allowed, best rule ever!.”  Randi R. chimes in, “No electronics! Best month ever!!”  Before writing anything else, I just want to say that I wish every young person had access to camps, and it makes me sad that many do not. I have long contributed to organizations, including our regional YMCA, to help provide summer opportunities [...]

Going Phone-less for Camp2022-09-19T18:56:31+00:00

Saying YES to Summer!

Children's Screen Time Action Network has some great ideas for summer - like saying YES to kids and helping them learn resourcefulness. Check out their article below: For most of us, school is out already and we’re in those transition weeks that can produce anxiety, both for us and the kids. Ok. So I see that parents are sick of hearing that they have to set screen limits. Like Advisory Board member Dr. Meghan Owenz says, “If you offer more fruits and vegetables, it edges out room for the donut.” Hence, my message this week is less about screen limits and more about the opportunities that a little extra time can bring to families. Here are four ideas that go beyond summer tip lists: 1) Say ‘yes’ a lot!  It feels so good to say [...]

Saying YES to Summer!2022-09-19T18:56:54+00:00

Should Kids be on Social Media?

School is out for the summer! With it comes long days in the sun, Popsicles, and the endless battle of screen time. Recently Screenagers published some facts from a gathering of researchers who met recently to discuss information on kids' brains and screen addiction. Here are some of their key points: “American children spend more time in front of electronic screens than any other activity except sleeping. The brain becomes what the brain does.” Dr. Douglas Gentile “Ditch the 1:1 program. They need smaller class size so they can betterknow and connect with their teacher/guide.” Dr. Richard Freed “Up to 9% of American youth may suffer from an addiction to games or social media.” Dr. Paul Weigle “The virtual world becomes your reality. The real world becomes an inconvenience.” Adam Brooker, former gamer “Porn consumption [...]

Should Kids be on Social Media?2022-09-19T18:57:22+00:00

Street Drugs available on Social Media?!

Just when parents didn't think they could deal with one more tech-related thing having to do with their teens, it has come to law enforcement's attention that street drugs are now available on Social Media. Read Tech Talk Tuesday's post about it below: Last month in Marin County, California, police arrested a person who was selling drugs. What makes this arrest different than most other drug busts is that this person was selling drugs on Snapchat. Yes. The same Snapchat our youth send selfies to their friends. It’s happening on Instagram too. Dealers use code words, hashtags, emojis and display actual pictures of what they have to offer. “Drugs on social media is incredibly prevalent,” says Josie Sanguinetti, School Resource Officer for the Marin County Sheriff’s Department. “I’ve seen as young as 10 and obviously [...]

Street Drugs available on Social Media?!2022-09-19T18:59:15+00:00
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