Prescription Nation Why we should worry about the quiet epidemic of painkiller abuse, Newsweek “About two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Health’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reported that abuse of opioid painkillers has risen more than 400 percent over the last decade. And, while it was dutifully reported here and here, there […]
Looking for Truth Learn how to find the truth and understand why it matters. Encourage a healthy doubt and interest in learning what really happened. Teens will see and hear an outpouring of information that may or may not be true, online and in person. Urban myths, gossip, fake identities, distorted points of view, and […]
As teens reluctantly head back to school and leave the lazydays of summer behind, we are reminded of the stress that lies ahead for our youth. While returning to school can be an exciting time to get reacquainted with friends and teachers, it can also be the start of what may be some of the […]
Respect for Others Define stealing – Teach your child to respect another’s work and the right to be paid and get credit for it. “Technology does not trump thoughtfulness. Infringing on the rights of others reflects poorly on you and certainly isn’t what wireless technology is about.” Tom Wheeler, President/CEO of Cellular Telecommunications & Internet […]
Learn Critical Thinking – Practice the process of making decisions. Parents can help children learn to make good decisions on their own. Technology offers an opportunity to practice. Encourage Common Sense – Help your child learn common sense with simple rules that work in many situations. These easy to remember phrases help a child make […]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPF6urxIHqI&hl=en_US&fs=1] Teenage celebrities seem to constantly be in the news for the wrong reasons. Many parents fear that all of this media attention – paparazzi photos of excessive partying, drug and alcohol use leading to DUI’s, car accidents or stays in rehab may encourage their own teens to experiment. While there is no denying that […]
Part 5: Walk the Talk Model Good Behavior – Set rules for acceptable behavior and model that behavior yourself. Discourage gossiping Click here to read about the harmful effects of gossip. Do not allow bullying; learn how to stop it when you see it and help your child know what to do when it appears. […]
Section Four: Protect yourself Help your child understand the concept of ‘digital footprint’, and think about what they can do to protect it. Children think parents have eyes in the back of their heads, but now there are many more ‘eyes’ and the ‘eyes’ can photograph what they see and easily share. “Tell your kids […]
Section Three: Pay Attention Monitor usage. Figure out how much time your child is using technology, where and when. Know where your child has access to technology – at school, after school, at a library, visiting a friend, which friends, at a coffee shop, through his or her phone, a friend’s phone, through another adult’s […]
One of the hardest things for a parent to do is say no to his child. “Well,” parents often rationalize, “it’s only the first time he has stayed out past curfew. He is under a lot of stress and really wants to see his friends, so I suppose I will let him go out tonight.” […]
