(NewsUSA) – The kids are in school, which means they spend most of their day without parental supervision. The days when parents only had to worry about their kids skipping class and getting bullied for lunch money are gone. Now, new threats have emerged around cell phone use.
According to a survey performed by Internet monitoring software company SpectorSoft, sexting is parents’ primary concern during the school season.
“Absolutely,” said Rebecca Hagelin, a parent who uses SpectorSoft to track her three teenagers. “It’s allowed my children to enjoy all the benefits the latest technology has to offer them, and it’s allowed me to protect them from the dangers of some of the new technology,” she said. “It’s a win-win.”
Smartphones with advanced Internet capabilities have greatly increased parental fears about cyberbullies, online predators, sexting and the exchange of inappropriate messages and pictures.
SpectorSoft reports that 82 percent of all families surveyed contain at least one child who has a smartphone. Even if teachers and school faculty can keep students off their phones during school hours, who protects them after school?
Bryan Bowers, author of “Keep Your Family Safe Online,” said that the survey proves parents are starting to gain greater awareness of what their children are actually up to on their phones and online. “So many children have smartphones, and this tells me parents are starting to get the idea that these devices can be a problem for children,” Bowers said. “They are starting to see the reality of what is out there.”
SpectorSoft, focused on monitoring products for children since their inception in 1998, has released eBlaster Mobile for Android and BlackBerry phones. This software keeps track of all activity on these smartphones by monitoring and recording text messages, calls and Internet activity and then sending that information to the parent. It also has Geofencing capabilities to enable parents to better understand the whereabouts of their children through their mobile devices. Parents can create electronic location boundaries — or fences — that trigger an alert notification when their child enters or exits a pre-defined area with their mobile device.
eBlaster is designed for maximum parental convenience and child safety. The software can be downloaded from its website, www.spectorsoft.com, and then managed from any remote location. Plus, it has a GPS function reporting the exact location of the phone in the event of emergencies.
Smartphones Feed New Parental Fears
The Great Flavored Milk Debate
(NewsUSA) – A great debate has been building for the past five years in school districts across the country: Is flavored milk contributing to childhood obesity, and should it be taken out of schools?
Facts, research and experts say no. Flavored milk contains the same nine essential nutrients as white milk, including calcium, vitamin D and potassium, three nutrients that children aren’t getting enough of, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
“On average, flavored milk accounts for only 2 percent of total calories and 3 percent of all added sugars in kids’ diets. But studies show that schools see a severe drop in milk consumption when chocolate milk is taken away,” says Alyssa Greenstein, a registered dietitian with the Dairy Council of Florida. “And the nutrients lost from not consuming enough milk aren’t easy or affordable to replace.”
Research finds that low-fat chocolate milk is the most widely chosen milk option in schools, and despite the availability of white milk, children will turn to sodas and fruit drinks if flavored milk is removed from cafeterias. Sodas are the main source of added sugar in children’s diets, and unlike milk, they offer no nutritional value.
Many nutrition and health organizations — including the American Heart Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association and the School Nutrition Association — agree that flavored milk is a healthier alternative to soft drinks and a vital part of meeting the dietary needs of youngsters.
“If children don’t drink milk with lunch, it becomes almost impossible for them to consume the daily intake of calcium, vitamin D and potassium, which are nutrients of concern as it is,” says Greenstein.
Drinking flavored milk is a small but significant contributor to a child’s total milk consumption, and it doesn’t mean youngsters neglect white milk. In fact, flavored milk makes up only 20-26 percent of kids’ total milk intake.
A recent survey of 1,000 moms discovered more than half opposed any school district decision to eliminate chocolate milk from the menu. In the past five years, milk processors nationwide have made significant nutritional changes in milk formulations. With 38 percent less added sugar, flavored milk is projected to contain, on average, just 31 calories more than white milk.
To see more of the nine essential nutrients found in flavored milk, visit www.floridamilk.com.
Are Teens Prepared for the Future?
(NewsUSA) – Among the latest tech gadgets, cell phones and social media sites, today’s teen is more connected than ever. Although teens are surrounded by a flurry of electronics and digital media, are they gaining the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven world?
According to the Department of Commerce, students educated in science, technology, engineering and math at any level make 26 percent more money overall than counterparts who have studied in other fields.
Several non-profits and corporations have rallied together to highlight the importance of teaching young people critical digital literacy skills.
“The access to technology kids get outside of school is often an important complement to the learning that happens in the classrooms,” said Dan Rauzi, senior director of technology programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Boys & Girls Clubs has a long history of providing educational and developmental programs for youth in communities nationwide. Through a national partnership with Microsoft and Comcast, its Club Tech program provides free software and access to technology lessons to youth of all ages. In 2010 alone, the program reached over 850,000 kids who learned how to design posters, collaborate on film projects and make their own music.
Daniel Flores, 16, has participated in Club Tech for two years at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland, Mich. He believes the skills he is acquiring in graphic design will help him get into an art college and pursue a career one day. In fact, he’s started his own small business offering Web and graphic design services.
“I wanted to create a business that helps other companies market and promote their ideas by developing websites, logos and print making,” Flores said.
According to a recent study, teens like Flores who participate in after-school technology programs exhibit a more positive outlook on their future. Many also become more positive about finishing high school and attending college.
“Club Tech is more than just providing computers. We give kids and teens an opportunity to express themselves artistically and engage with technology in a way that builds confidence and real-world skills,” added Rauzi.
WGU Washington Declares, ‘No Parent Left Behind’
(NewsUSA) – As parents send their kids back to school, it’s likely that the last thing they have time to consider is heading back to school themselves. But, they should ?.Nearly half a million Washington residents, many of them parents, have started but not finished a degree; yet by 2018, two-thirds of all jobs in the state will require at least some college. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can bring career advancement, increase job security, and enhance earning potential, so how can busy parents finish their degrees and avoid being left behind?For busy parents with tight budgets, the prospect of heading back to college can be daunting. While there are a number of college options, few are affordable and flexible enough to meet the needs of working adults.But Washington’s new online university, WGU Washington, washington.wgu.edu, is designed to meet their needs — affordably. Nonprofit and endorsed by the state, WGU Washington offers 50 accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, information technology, teacher education and health professions, including nursing.WGU Washington’s programs allow students to move quickly through what they already know and to focus on what they still need to learn. Students advance by demonstrating what they know, not by logging time in class. This learning model, which includes the support of a dedicated mentor, is called competency-based education, and it represents a true innovation in higher education.At less than $3,000 per six-month term (and unlimited courses per term), WGU Washington is about half the cost of other online universities and considerably less than most of Washington’s public universities. And, because WGU Washington allows students to work at their own pace, the average time to complete a bachelor’s degree is just two-and-a-half years — an average cost of about $15,000.It’s likely that you are already encouraging your kids to plan for college. And, as all good parents know, kids learn best by example. Finishing a degree means more than career advancement and better earning potential — it is a priceless accomplishment that demonstrates the value of education to your children. This back-to-school season, don’t be left behind. Note to editors: Great for regional use in Washington state.
Soul Search, Research, Job Search: How to Cultivate Your Dream Career
(NewsUSA) – Far too often, employees find themselves stuck in an unfulfilling job, yet are reluctant to leave. They settle because of current economic conditions or because they simply lack the confidence or required skills to pursue their ideal career.
According to a recent study conducted by The Conference Board, job satisfaction is at an all-time low — only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their current job.
It can seem overwhelming for those yearning to step into a field that better suits their passions. Certified career coach Maggie Mistal specializes in helping individuals explore their purpose and find work they love. She advises individuals to break down the process into three steps:
Avoid the Night Terrors of Shift Work Disorder
(NewsUSA) – Do you work the graveyard shift? If you do, your health may be compromised. Over 15 million Americans work a job with late-night or early-morning hours, which leaves workers vulnerable to shift work disorder (SWD). SWD is hard to diagnose and treat, but the associated sleep deprivation and insomnia can be debilitating.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Physiology by researchers from the University of Toronto discovered another serious health risk posed by SWD — a higher risk for organ disease. With the side effects of SWD only expanding, workers must find ways to manage the bodily stress.
Shift work disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, called circadian rhythm, which affects other critical factors like body temperature and the way organs function.
“We knew that circadian rhythm disruption had been linked with reduced longevity, so we decided to try and find out where, why and how longevity is compromised,” explains psychology professor Martin Ralph from the University of Toronto, one of the lead researchers from the study on shift work.
Shift work is the opposite of 9-5, and demand for it is only increasing as customers expect more 24-hour services. Many occupations require permanent or occasional shift work, such as healthcare professionals, hospitality and restaurant staff, production and manufacturing workers, protective and emergency services and the transportation industry.
These workers suffer from the continual disturbance of their biological or circadian clocks. As the new study supports, long-term interference of this nature can lead to kidney or heart disease.
People suffering with SWD can also have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is a condition marked by loud snoring, pauses in breathing and gasping. The repeated arousals contribute to the disruption of sleep. Like SWD, it can contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness, diabetes and heart disease. Unlike SWD, it is easy to diagnose and effectively treat.
Another tip is to create an ideal sleep environment — eliminate extra noise and light to get the most out of your irregular sleep schedule. Try and stick to the same sleep and wake time, even on weekends. Don’t hesitate to seek medical help.
To find more information and advice on sleep disorders, go to www.sleepapnea.org.
Navigating a Relationship With a Recruiter
(NewsUSA) – In a weak economy with fewer available employment opportunities, job seekers must employ advanced tactics to stand apart from their competitors. Professional third-party recruiters — sometimes called “headhunters” — can help job seekers find positions that match their skill set and circulate their resume among hiring managers.
Recruiters are experts hired by companies to identify the best candidates for available positions. Their relationship with job seekers is mutually beneficial; recruiters need job seekers to fill positions, while job seekers want access to employers. To maximize the potential of this relationship, job seekers must understand recruiters and their role in the employment process.
Combat Childhood Sleep Problems With Outdoor Fun
Parents are hearing a lot these days about the hazards of today’s “indoor childhood,” with kids spending countless hours on electronic media. But one consequence may be going undetected. National Wildlife Federation’s new parent guide highlights the connection between the time kids spend playing outdoors and sleep deprivation.
According to NWF Guide, young children and teens are losing anywhere from 10 to 14 hours of sleep a week. Sleep deprivation can stunt physical growth, impede performance at school, lead to anxiety or depression and contribute to future health problems like obesity. Making matters worse, children are generally bad judges of the amount of sleep they really need.
7th Heaven Star and Safeguard My Meds Advocate Prescription Safety
If used moderately and as directed, prescription medicines help ease many health conditions and cure others. But some people don’t know the risks of keeping medications unsecured in the home, especially medications that have a high potential to be abused, such as stimulants, tranquilizers and pain relievers.
Easy-to-find medicines can be abused by anyone entering a home, especially teens and young adults. Catherine Hicks, 7th Heaven star and parent advocate, is working with Safeguard My Meds to tell Americans what they can do to help prevent prescription medicine abuse and potential addiction.
Outdoor Play Time Can Enhance Children’s Sleep
(NewsUSA) – Parents are hearing a lot these days about the hazards of today’s “indoor childhood,” with kids spending countless hours on electronic media. But one consequence may be going undetected. National Wildlife Federation’s new parent guide highlights the connection between the time kids spend playing outdoors and sleep deprivation.
According to NWF Guide, young children and teens are losing anywhere from 10 to 14 hours of sleep a week. Sleep deprivation can stunt physical growth, impede performance at school, lead to anxiety or depression and contribute to future health problems like obesity. Making matters worse, children are generally bad judges of the amount of sleep they really need.
Outdoor time improves a child’s sleep in three critical ways. Natural light from the sun regulates the body’s internal “sleep clock,” which makes children more alert during the day, and tired at night. Research also demonstrates that natural, green settings are relaxing and calming for children, and yield other cognitive benefits. Lastly, outside exercise develops better motor skills and encourages creativity.
“While there is no single solution to childhood sleep deprivation, part of having a well-rested child involves trading some screen time for green time,” says Kevin Coyle, NWF vice president of education and training, and author of NWF Guide. “More play time in natural settings can help kids get a high-quality night’s sleep.”
To foster awareness and healthier amounts of pillow time, the NWF guide “Green Time for Sleep Time” offers parents helpful advice about improving sleeping habits by exposing children to more outdoor play time every day.
NWF’s parents guide advocates trimming down children’s consumption of electronic entertainment and balancing it with some outdoor play time every day. It’s also important to disengage kids from their tech devices at least an hour before bedtime so they can settle down and be ready for the sand man to arrive.
Green Time for Sleep Time is available from NWF, along with activities to make outdoor time fun time at www.beoutthere.org.
