Cell Phones and Cancer

By Connect with Kids

"Unless your older child or adolescent has a cell phone glued to their ear for several hours a day, you probably don’t have to worry about anything.”

– Nick DeFilippis, Ph.D., Neurologist

When Jordan Mandelbaum goes to the mall, her mom gives her a cell phone to stay in touch.

But the 14-year-old admits, she’ll use the phone to “contact” everyone she can.

“Just that idea that you have the opportunity to use the phone so you’re gonna use it,” Jordan says.

The phone may help her social life, but could it also be giving her cancer?

Researchers at Tel Aviv University, in Israel, studied people with salivary gland cancer and those without.

They found that those people who were heavy cell phone users were fifty percent more likely to develop a tumor of the salivary gland.

So, what constitutes heavy use?

Neurologist, Dr. Nick DeFilippis says, “Unless your older child or adolescent has a cell phone glued to their ear for several hours a day, you probably don’t have to worry about anything.”

What’s more, experts say, as of yet there are no conclusive studies that show that cell phones are a cause of cancer.

“Because those are not really controlled studies. They’re basically are studies where they try to observe uh, what has happened and try to correlate it with factors that may have lead to the increased risk,” explains Nabil Saba, M.D., assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Emory University.

He says more research is needed to be done.

In the meantime, his advice, “I think everything in moderation is good. I do not think you should take the action of preventing cell phone use.”

Although, as a concerned mom, Lynn says that still doesn’t set her mind at ease. “I think as a parent I’ve gotta keep my eyes and ears open for future research.”

Tips for Parents

Cell phones emit signals via radio waves, which are comprised of radio-frequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic radiation. According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), specific absorption rate, or SAR, is "a way of measuring the quantity of radiofrequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body." For a phone to pass FCC certification, that phone's maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6W/kg (watts per kilogram).

According to CNET, the 10 highest radiation cell phones for sale in the United States are:

Motorola V195s
Motorola Slvr L6
Motorola Slvr L2
Motorola W385
RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 (Sprint)
RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 (Verizon Wireless)
Motorola Deluxe ic902
T-Mobile Shadow (HTC)
Motorola i335
Samsung Sync SGH-C417

Other technologies that use RF are cordless phones, radios, microwaves and TV broadcasting.

According to the FDA, ”the research done thus far has produced conflicting results, and many studies have suffered from flaws in their research methods. Animal experiments investigating the effects of radiofrequency energy (RF) exposures characteristic of wireless phones have yielded conflicting results that often cannot be repeated in other laboratories. A few animal studies, however, have suggested that low levels of RF could accelerate the development of cancer in laboratory animals.”

Of course, the FDA reminds us that, as with many animal studies, “the animals [were] to RF for up to 22 hours per day. These conditions are not similar to the conditions under which people use wireless phones, so we don’t know with certainty what the results of such studies mean for human health.”

The FDA does advise, however, that if you use a cell phone for several hours every day to use a headset and carry the cell phone away from your body.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that children and teenagers are more vulnerable to cell phone radiation than adults, however, some countries have taken steps to limit the cell phone use among those age groups, including the United Kingdom.

References
Emory University
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Political Teens by Connect with Kids

“When parents talk about politics with their kids, when they participate themselves -- this leads to a higher level of interest in politics among their children,”

– Dr. Alan Abramowitz, Political Science Professor, Emory University

Nineteen-year-old Will Kelly is pounding the pavement, knocking on doors and talking to voters.

Seventeen-year-old Amelia Hartley is answering phones, making copies and filing news clips.

She is a die-hard Democrat, and he is a faithful Republican. Both teenagers have a passion for politics and for getting involved.

“To be honest,” Will says of his volunteer work, “because I care about what’s going on and it troubles me to see how so many people become apathetic with what they do have in this country – that we take so much for granted.”

“At 17, I can’t vote yet, I don’t pay taxes, but within a year I’m going to have to know enough about leaders – not only national, but local and state – to be able to say who I want running things,” says Amelia of her involvement.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, young voters are turning up in record numbers this presidential election.

One reason, experts say, their parents.

“There has been quite a bit of research that shows that when parents talk about politics with their kids, when they participate themselves, when they take their kids to vote with them, that all this leads to a higher level of interest in politics among the children,” says Dr. Alan Abramowitz, a political science professor at Emory University.

It is a level of interest, Dr. Abramowitz adds, that persists over time. “Even many years later, those who were raised in families that were politically active and where the parents talked about politics remain more active themselves.”

Amelia and Will say they’ve been invigorated by the hard work of politics. And, in fact, it’s sparked an interest.

“Is there a future in politics for me?” Will ponders. “Well that’s a question I seem to ask myself a lot. We’ll have to see.”

“There are a lot of career paths I’m considering,” says Amelia, “and politics is definitely one of them.”

Tips for Parents

The polls are showing teens are lining up in record numbers to have their say in this year’s election. Consider these statistics from a recent poll by Time Magazine, among 18-29 year olds:

70% said they are paying attention to the race
53% said Barack Obama was the candidate best described as ‘inspirational’
83% said this election will have a great impact on the country
A majority (54%) say the US was wrong to go to war in Iraq
80% of young people rate the economic conditions in this country as only fair or poor
Nearly three-quarters of the respondents said they feel the country is headed down the wrong track

Affordable health care (62%), the Iraq War (59%), and being able to find a stable, good paying job (58%) are the top issues a majority of young people worry about the most.

More than 6.5 million young people under the age of 30 participated in the 2008 primaries and caucuses. In fact, Obama’s margin of victory in Iowa came almost entirely from voters under 25 years old. In New Hampshire, his edge among young voters was 3 to 1; in Nevada, it was 2 to 1; and in Michigan, nearly 50,000 under-30s voted "Uncommitted" because Clinton's name was the only one on the ballot.

The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, getting kids involved in a civics or government class is a great way to get them more interested in the elections. From the 2006 Civic and Political Health of the Nation Report, young people who report that they recently choose to take a civics or government class are more likely than other young people to say that:

they helped solve a community problem,
they can make a difference in their community,
they have volunteered recently,
they trust other people and the government,
they have made consumer decisions for ethical or political reasons,
they believe in the importance of voting, and
they are registered to vote.

Parents are also one of the greatest influences on young voters.

Start with the basics. Make sure your 18-year-old knows when and where to vote.
Getting your 18-year-old to the polls could pay big dividends. People who have been motivated to vote once are more likely to become repeat voters.

Acquire and fill out voter registration forms with your teen. If your teen meets age requirements, you should each fill out a voter registration form.

If your teen meets age requirements on Election Day, go to your polling place together to cast your ballots.

If your teen doesn’t meet age requirements for the 2008 election, but will turn 18 before the 2012 election, involve them in the current election as preparation for the next election.
Consider taking teens between 14 and 17 to the polling place with you. Even if they are not permitted inside for security reasons, the visit will demystify the voting process.

Remind your child that the November election is the result of many local primaries and that Americans are able to vote for their national, state and local leaders.

Kids who are not old enough to vote can still have an impact on elections. Encourage kids to get involved in the political process. They can go door-to-door in support of candidates or help with fundraising efforts.

It can seem daunting to research candidates, because information on the different races is not centralized in one place. Parents can share news articles with their kids. The key is to engage students with issues they will find relevant to their lives.

References
Time Magazine
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement

Importance of Friends

By Connect with Kids

“There’s some research to indicate that one of the best indicators of how well adjusted we will be as adults is not based on IQ or grades in school, but the degree to which the child has good friendships.”

– Nick Long, Ph.D., Adolescent Psychologist

Parents worry about how much kids learn and how fast, but a child’s biggest worry is most likely something else: friends.

“Cause if anything is going on in school I always know that I can talk to Molly and she’ll understand,” says Meredith Albin.

The kids have got it right- learning the language of friendship is one of the most important lessons of childhood.

“There’s some research to indicate that one of the best indicators of how well adjusted we will be as adults is not based on IQ or grades in school, but the degree to which the child has good friendships,” says Dr. Nick Long, adolescent psychologist.

It’s not popularity, but learning to make friends that counts.

“I think that most people in this school want to have friends but they don’t know how to do it right,” says 11-year-old Johnathon.

By school age, a child needs at least one close friend, experts say.

“And if that child doesn’t have one close friend, it’s important for parents to try to set up situations for them to meet other children who might have similar interests to try to develop those relationships,” advises Long.

Psychologist Dr. Garry McGiboney adds, “It may take a while, but most of the time kids will enjoy that interaction with other kids.”

Kids without friends are at risk for lots of problems ranging from poor grades to depression, bullying, and drug abuse.

Experts say don’t underestimate the harm of isolation.

Fourteen-year-old Erica can tell you why: “Sometimes when you feel isolated and you feel like you should just be off this world. Just die.”

Tips for Parents

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says when teenagers begin to feel isolated and stressed out, it can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness and drug or alcohol abuse.

Why is a feeling of isolation so potentially dangerous? The AACAP says when we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This response – what the AACAP calls the “fight, flight or freeze” response – includes a faster heart and breathing rate, cold or clammy hands and feet, an upset stomach and/or a sense of dread.

The AACAP says parents can do the following things to help their teens remain healthy:

Monitor whether or not stress is affecting their health, behavior, thoughts or feelings.
Listen carefully to teens, and watch for “overloading.”
Learn and model stress-management skills.
Support involvement in sports and pro-social activities.
If teens show signs of being overly stressed, it may be best to see a child and adolescent psychiatrist or qualified mental health professional. The following are signs that professional help may be needed:

Disorientation and memory gaps
Severe depression and withdrawal
Substance abuse
Inability to take care of basic needs (eating, drinking, bathing)
Hallucinations
Fear of harming self or others
Inability to make simple decisions
Excessive preoccupation with one thought
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) says that, despite the tragedy at Columbine and other recent events, schools shootings are still relatively rare. The center points out that school-related deaths since 1992 represent only about 1% of all youth killed with guns during that time period. The National School Safety Center says the odds of a child dying at school remain one in 2 million.

In addition, a study by researchers at the University of Maryland found schools that rely on “secure building” measures, such as cameras and metal detectors, show higher rates of reported victimization than schools that create an atmosphere of nonviolence. They found that clearly defined rules and consequences can be more effective in creating an atmosphere of safety than metal detectors and cameras. Students in schools where rules are emphasized and the consequences of breaking the rules are known to all reported less victimization and disorder.

The CSPV recommends that schools include these steps in their safe school plan:


Create a climate of ownership and school pride.
Enhance multicultural understanding.
Be sure that all students have knowledge of school rules and consequences for breaking the rules.
Add “hard looks” and “stare downs” as actionable offenses to the student code of conduct.
Place students and parents on notice.
Provide adequate adult supervision.
Develop and enforce a school dress code.
Provide teacher training in behavior management.
Implement peer counseling and peer mediation programs.
Create a student advisory council.
Incorporate a life skills curriculum.
Develop a student crime prevention program.

References
The University of Virginia
The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Energy Drinks and Kids

By Connect with Kids

"They're going to get that boost, but in the long run they're not going to be doing their best. And they may not even notice they're not doing their best."

– Elizabeth Redmond, Ph.D., Nutritionist.

In the past few years the market for so called 'energy drinks' has exploded. Full of sugar and caffeine, there's now around a dozen energy drinks on the market, and they're very popular with kids.

"I've had Rockstar," says Hunter, 13.

Thirteen-year-old Will's favorites? "Monster, Rooster Booster."

"Sobe's Adrenaline Rush," answers T-J, 14.

"It tastes very good," explains 16-year-old Corrissa, "It gives me energy."

Energy, according to some of the marketing, makes these drinks good for school or sports performance. "They do kind of imply they're sports drinks," says Nutritionist Elizabeth Redmond, Ph.D., "but a sports drink like Gatorade or something would hydrate you. And these drinks have a lot of caffeine, and they're actually going to have a diuretic effect and can dehydrate."

And while the caffeine in many of these drinks, the same as the amount in an average cup of coffee, gives kids a boost, a couple hours later, they crash.

"Yeah if I drink one I might be kind of hyper for a while and then I'll be like 'Ehhhh' and get real tired," explains 12-year-old Luke.

Experts add the side effects of caffeine also include loss of appetite, moodiness, headaches, nausea, difficulty sleeping.

And while there haven't been any long term studies on the effect of regular caffeine use by kids, Redmond explains that, "Once you get used to the caffeine boost you're going to want to keep getting it. But it's just not a healthy lifestyle that you want to get into."

Experts say parents should teach kids caffeine can be addictive, and that if they're looking for better performance, there's a much better way. "Getting enough sleep, being hydrated and eating a healthy diet would be the three biggest things you'd want to look at if you wanted to get more energy to do better at sports," says Redmond.

Tips for Parents

Now more than ever, it seems that students are relying on caffeinated products like coffee, Red Bull and caffeine pills to help them stay awake to study for tests. In fact, some experts report that caffeine dependency among high school students has steadily increased over the past five years. Consider these recent studies of children and caffeine consumption:

A researcher at the University of California-San Francisco found that when school-aged children took a high daily dose of caffeine, their attention span decreased. And after the effects of the caffeine dissipated, their performance in various tasks was impaired.

National Institute of Mental Health child psychiatry researcher Judith Rapoport, M.D., found 8- to-13-year-olds who regularly consumed high doses of caffeine were judged more restless by teachers, and that one-third were hyperactive enough to meet the criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In a study by Stanford University neurobiologist Avram Goldstein, fifth- and sixth-graders at a Denver school deprived of daily caffeine reported having symptoms including trouble thinking clearly, not feeling energetic and getting angry. Even children who typically consume 28 milligrams a day (less than an average soda) felt symptoms.

Since caffeine leaches small amounts of calcium from the bones, a 1994 Harvard study concluded that soda consumption increases the possibility for bone fracture among teenage girls.

Even though these products may seem like a quick fix for helping students study late into the night, most teens are unaware of how caffeine affects their bodies. According to the Nemours Foundation, caffeine is a mild stimulant that causes increased heart rate and alertness. Most people who are sensitive to caffeine experience a temporary increase in energy and elevation in mood. Yet, this energized feeling quickly evaporates and leaves students feeling tired and irritable. The Mayo Clinic cites these additional side effects of caffeine:

Insomnia
Heartburn
Intestinal upsets, such as constipation and diarrhea
Headaches
Jitters, anxiety, heart palpitations or rapid heart rate
Increase in blood pressure
Temporary depression

Calcium loss: Kids build their peak bone mass as they grow through calcium intake and exercise. Yet, caffeine causes calcium loss, so if they're drinking more coffee and soda, but less milk, they not only get less calcium from the dairy products but also lose calcium due to increased caffeine intake.

Dehydration: Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can cause your body to become weak from not having enough water. Although you may think you're getting plenty of liquids, caffeine works against the body in two ways: It has a dehydrating effect on the body's cells and increases the need to urinate. It is particularly important for active teens who play sports to drink non-caffeinated beverages each day to avoid dehydration.

Even though these side effects exist, caffeine remains one of the most popular drugs in the United States. Experts estimate that more than 90% of Americans consume caffeine every day, while 11 million Americans consume too much caffeine (over 300 milligrams). While no definitive numbers exist concerning how much coffee teens consume, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that children and teens guzzle more than 64 gallons of caffeinated soda a year – an amount that has tripled for teens since 1978, doubled for the 6-11 set and increased by a quarter for under-5 tots.

According to the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFICF), coffee is the chief source of caffeine in the United States. An 8-ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee typically contains 85 milligrams of caffeine. An 8-ounce serving of brewed tea has 40 milligrams, caffeinated soft drinks contain an average of 24 milligrams per 8-ounce serving and an ounce of milk chocolate has just 6 milligrams. Even though these products contain caffeine, they can all be found at school and at home, increasing the amount that teens consume.

Some health officials are concerned about the rise in popularity of so-called 'energy drinks.' Part of their concern is that the drinks, including Red Bull, Adrenaline Rush, and Rock Star Energy Drink, are being misused as party drinks. According to an online publication of the Boston University School of Public Health, the beverages are used by party-goers to get drunk faster. "It definitely put me on a fast pace," one young woman told BU. "It gets you drunk quicker if you can stand the taste of it."

Most of the drinks contain stimulants such as caffeine and guarana, a derivative of a South American plant.

Officials are concerned about the effects of the high-energy drinks when mixed with alcohol. What exactly is in an energy drink like Red Bull? Here's a list of some ingredients from the manufacturer's web site:

Taurine. An amino acid.
Glucoronolactone. Said to "accelerate the elimination of…harmful substances…has a detoxifying effect."
Caffeine. Known for its stimulating effect.
Carbohydrates. Sugar in the form of sucrose and glucose.
Vitamins. B-complex vitamins.
The company that manufactures Red Bull says the drink was developed especially for "times of increased stress or strain." Red Bull claims to:

Increase physical endurance
Improve reaction speed and concentration
Increase mental alertness
Improves the overall feeling of well being
Stimulate metabolism and increase stamina
But the main concern among doctors is the effect of energy drinks when mixed with alcoholic beverages like Vodka. What you get, one nutritionist says, is "a wide-awake drunk."

Just because your child may be drinking energy beverages, doesn't necessarily mean he or she is mixing them with alcohol. There are signs of teenage drinking parents can be on the lookout for. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has some tips on how to tell if your child may be in trouble with alcohol:

Smell of alcohol on breath, or sudden, frequent use of breath mints.
Abrupt changes in mood or attitude.
Sudden decline in attendance or performance at school.
Sudden resistance to discipline at school.
Uncharacteristic withdrawal from family, friends or interests.
Heightened secrecy about actions or possessions.
Association with a new group of friends whom your child refuses to discuss.

References
University of Buffalo
United States Department of Agriculture
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
Boston University School of Public Health

Sue Scheff: Teens and Sun Damage

By Connect with Kids

“My mom bought me a whole bottle of sunscreen. I haven’t used it. I don’t think it really helps that much, and it stinks.”

– Nigel, 13 years old

Like many people, teens love the water and worship the sun.

“Most teenagers don’t really worry about sunburn, they’re just really concerned about how their tan looks,” 13-year-old Kelsey says.

Still, many young people admit they know the dangers.

Fourteen-year-old Chris recites: “Skin cancer, sun damage …” and Bianca, 13, follows up: “… and maybe in the future your skin will get all wrinkly.”

Kelsey says her parents, “tell me to wear sunscreen or wear a hat if I’m gonna be out in the sun.”

The truth of the matter is that the warnings about the dangers of too much sun exposure and not enough protection often fall on deaf teenage ears.

“Skin cancer is really becoming an epidemic these days,” says Dr. Tiffani Hamilton, a dermatologist.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only 10 percent of teens routinely use sunscreen when out for more than an hour.

Those habits put them at risk for various skin cancers, including melanoma.

“Melanoma is, of course, the most devastating cancer and the one that can spread and lead to death,” Dr. Hamilton says.

And research shows that most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun before the age of 18!

“And so all of this sun exposure that we have accumulated in our childhood just gradually adds upon itself until when we’re older and our immune system is not as strong, we then get skin cancer,” Dr. Hamilton says.

Experts warn that parents should make sure their kids take several precautions: Stay away from tanning beds, avoid the mid-day sun and always use sunscreen.

And Dr. Hamilton says to remind them over and over of “how important it is to protect their skin because lifetime risk of skin cancer is increasing dramatically.”

Still, what may impact teens the most, says 13-year-old Nigel, is “to see someone they care about have something bad happen to them because of the sun.”

Tips for Parents

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that more than 1 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, and the leading cause of such cancers is excessive exposure to the sun. But according to a new study, these warnings are not stopping teens from spending too much time in the sun. Consider the startling findings of the Centers for Disease Control’s “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance”:

Only 10 percent of teens reported using sunscreen when outside for more than an hour.
Only 17 percent of teens reported staying in the shade or wearing long pants or a hat when out in the sun for more than an hour.
The U.S. Federal Drug Administration says that sunburns and blistering are the most obvious – and painful – results of sun damage. But exposure to both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can result in cumulated damage that leads to skin aging, cataracts, corneal burns and irregular skin pigmentation. And recent research shows that severe sunburns in childhood can significantly increase the risk later in life of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Consider these additional statistics about sunburns and sun exposure from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center:

Eighty percent of lifetime exposure to sunlight occurs before the age 18.
Sixty percent of the day’s sun-burning radiation occurs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Eighty percent of damaging rays can get through clouds.
Under normal circumstances, children receive three times the annual sun exposure of adults.
Even one blistering sunburn during childhood could result in the development of melanoma later in life.
Three or more episodes of sunburn before the age of 20 that require more than three days to heal increase the risk of contracting melanoma by two to five times.
Children born today have a four to five times greater risk for developing melanoma in their lifetimes than their parents have.
First and foremost, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says that you can help your child avoid future sun-related health problems by insisting that he or she wear sunscreen while exposed to the sun. Secondly, make sure your teen knows how to use sunscreen effectively. The experts at Harvard Medical School offer the following tips for sunscreen application:

Start early. Apply sunscreen early in the season, well before the dog days of summer. And apply it early in the day. In addition to offering better protection, diligent use of sunscreen offers protection during moments of spontaneity – for example, you may suddenly decide to take a swim or go on a bike ride.
Indulge in excess. You can always buy more sunscreen, so don’t be bashful when applying it. For example, if you are at the beach (a place with lots of direct sunlight), use approximately one ounce per application.
Cover up. Cover all areas of your exposed skin, including under your chin, with sunscreen. And don’t forget to use a lip balm that has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more.
Dry before you fly. Let the sunscreen dry for 15 to 30 minutes on all exposed areas before you go outside.
Apply and apply again. One application of sunscreen is rarely enough. Gels wash off easily with sweat or water, so they need to be applied frequently. Even water-resistant heavy creams should be applied every one and a half to two hours and after activities, such as swimming.
And after spending a day in the sun, even with sunscreen, your teen will still need to pamper his or her skin:

Balm your body. The sun beats up on your skin. At the end of the day, rinse your skin and apply moisturizer immediately, while your skin is still wet. The drier your skin, the more greasy the moisturizer needs to be.
Use the gentle cycle. When you wash your skin, use lukewarm water, not hot, and avoid scrubbing. Use a mild skin cleanser with a soft washcloth, or just your fingers.
Be sure to save face (and legs). Because the sun dries your skin, be especially careful when you shave. Use an aloe-based shaving cream, etc., on your face or legs to avoid irritation.
Keep the lights out. Don’t smoke. Smoking causes skin to age much faster. Add that to sun damage and drying, and the wrinkles come on quickly.
Your teen can also take other steps besides using sunscreen to protect his or her skin from being damaged by the sun. Pass along to your teen the following sun safety tips from the AAD and the Oregon Health & Science University’s Department of Dermatology:

As a general rule, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use wrap-around sunglasses that block 99% of UVA and UVB rays.
Select hats with a 3- to 4-inch brim or front and back flaps.
Wear tightly woven clothing that covers all exposed skin.
Avoid tanning booths. Sun-bed use is a risk factor in the formation of melanoma.
Topical creams for artificial tan do not protect from the sun’s rays unless they contain sunscreen.
If you believe that your child or teen has already suffered sun damage, the AAD gives the following advice:

Seek medical attention from your child’s dermatologist to evaluate if he or she received skin or eye damage from the sun or if he or she experienced an allergic reaction to the sun.
See your child’s dermatologist if he or she develops an unusual mole, a scaly patch or a sore that doesn’t heal. Your child may have developed a pre-cancer or a skin cancer.
References
American Academy of Dermatology
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Harvard Medical School
Oregon Health & Science University’s Department of Dermatology
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
U.S. Federal Drug Administration

Gambling Addiction by Connect with Kids

“I think if someone had asked me if I had wanted to go out with a beautiful girl or sit at home and play poker, I probably would have said I’d play poker.”

– Daniel Gushue, 22 years old

Daniel was a compulsive gambler.

Over the course of two years he racked up 18 thousand dollars of credit card debt.

“So on a typical night, my gambling at its worst, say here Oct. 25th,” Daniel says looking at his bank statement, “I deposited $50, I deposited another 50, another 50, a 100, another 100, 50, and then 200. So all-in-all that’s 6- $600.”

A survey by the University of Buffalo found that over two percent of teens admit to having a gambling problem. That’s a small number, but that represents 750 thousand teens.

And some are stealing or selling possessions to continue gambling.

Experts blame accessibility.

“So whereas 15-20 years ago you have to get into a car, drive to a casino, might take you an hour or two hours or three hours to get there, now you can just pick up your cell phone and be gambling while you are waiting in the doctor’s office, or while you’re waiting at the bus stop,” explains Dr. Timothy Fong, Addiction Psychiatrist.

That’s why, experts say, parents need to be proactive.

According to psychologist Dr. Larry Rosen that means, “Familiarize yourself with what potential problems your kids might come up against, and sit them down and talk to them.”

Daniel doesn’t play online poker anymore, but he does gamble on sports.

That makes his girlfriend, Carlee Schaper, nervous. “When it comes to watching him online, sports betting and things like that, I don’t like to see him doing that, because I feel like it’s a slippery slope, and, um, it’s possible for him to go back to his old ways.”

“Should I be gambling?” says Daniel, “Probably not. But for the time being I’m in a good place.”

Tips for Parents

The numbers from a University of Buffalo study are staggering. Three-quarters of a million teens have a serious gambling problem. That includes stealing money to gamble, gambling more money then initially planned, or selling possessions to gamble more. Another 11 percent of teens admit to gambling at least twice a week. Evidence shows that individuals who begin gambling at an early age run a much higher lifetime risk of developing a gambling problem.

Some individuals and organizations support teaching poker to adolescents as a real-life means of instructing on critical reasoning, mathematics and probability. They say teaching the probability of winning is the most important aspect of the game and that the mathematics behind the reasoning that will show kids they won’t win in the long run.

The legal gambling age in the United States is 21. Poker sites enable minors to play by clicking a box to verify that they are the legal age and entering a credit card number. Age is verified further only if suspicions are raised.

Some researchers call gambling the fastest-growing teenage addiction. Teens are especially vulnerable to gambling because of the excitement, the risk and their belief that skill is involved. The Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling and the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling lists the following warning signs that a teen may be struggling with a gambling problem:

Unexplained need for money: Valuables missing from the home and frequently borrowing money

Withdrawal from the family: Changes in personality, impatience, criticism, sarcasm, increased hostility, irritability, making late-night calls, fewer outside activities, a drop in grades and unaccountable time away from home

Interest in sports teams with no prior allegiance: Watching televised sports excessively, exhibiting an unusual interest in sports reports, viewing multiple games at one time, running up charges to 900 sports phone numbers and showing hostility over the outcome of a game
Gambling paraphernalia: Betting slips, IOUs, lottery tickets, frequent card and dice games at home and the overuse of gambling language, such as “bet,” in conversation

Coming to parents to pay gambling debts

Using lunch or bus money to gamble

Ask yourself the following questions if you suspect your child has a gambling addiction:

Is your child out of the house or confined to a room with a computer for long, unexplained periods of time?

Does your child miss work, school or extra-curricular activities?

Can your child be trusted with money?

Does your child borrow money to gamble with or to pay gambling debts?

Does your child hide his or her money?

Have you noticed a personality change in your child?

Does your child consistently lie to cover up or deny his or her gambling activities?

Compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in nature. There is no cure, but with help the addiction can be suppressed. Many who gamble live in a dream world to satisfy emotional needs. The gambler dreams of a life filled with friends, new cars, furs, penthouses, yachts, etc. However, a gambler usually will return to win more, so no amount of winning is sufficient to reach these dreams.

The compulsion to gamble can easily lead to self-destructive behavior, especially for teens. If you are concerned that a young person you care about has a gambling problem, encourage him or her to contact a gambling help line in your area or to seek professional help at a gambling treatment facility.

References
American Family Association
Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling
Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling
National Gambling Impact Study Commission
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
University of Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions

Sue Scheff: Online Gossip

by Connect with Kids

“Sure enough, I had a parent come to my door and say, ‘Your daughter has been saying some rather nasty things about my daughter on this website.’”

– Patti Thrift, Mother

High school students have always spread gossip in the halls, on the walls and on the phone. Now, it’s on the Internet, too. On various message boards specific to communities around the country, kids write about whom they hate, whom they think is pregnant or has an STD and record other often hurtful rumors that may or may not be true.

Sixteen-year-old Jessica remembers once when some kids at her school wrote cruel things about her on the Web.

“They were just making fun of me,” she says. “You know, she’s really ugly, she’s this, she’s that, ba-ba-ba.”

Jessica’s 11-year-old sister, Emma, admits she’s used the Web to write nasty things about another girl, though she regrets it now.

“After a while, you’re like, how could I have been so mean? Like, why did I do that?” she says.

The other girl’s father eventually became so frustrated with what Emma had said that he came to her door and demanded her mother make her stop.

Experts say gossip on the Internet can be more harmful than the old-fashioned kind. It’s often anonymous because kids use fake screen names. It has the power of the written word, so it lasts longer and is taken more seriously. And, unlikely ugly words on the bathroom wall, there’s no way to scratch it out.

“Online gossip is to hearsay gossip probably what nukes are to dynamite,” says Dr. Ramah Commanday, a school psychologist. “It can get EXTREMELY raunchy.”

If your kids are victims of online gossip, Dr. Commanday suggests putting the gossip into perspective.

“Point out to them how what’s being said on the screen differs from what everyone knows about you as a person,” Dr. Commanday says.

You can also try what worked for Emma: Keep your kids off the offensive website!

“When she was using it all the time, her name was on there all the time. People were writing things about her,” explains Patti Thrift, Emma’s mother. “Since she has no longer had access to that, she’s no longer a topic of conversation.”

Experts say that any time your child is on the Internet, you should know what he or she is doing there. Online gossip is just another reason why.

Tips for Parents

Most of us remember passing notes during class or swapping stories over lunch with our friends in middle and high school. But with more teens accessing the Internet these days, it appears that gossip has gone high-tech. Teens are using message boards, instant messaging and even email to air out their frustrations – often in hurtful language – about their teachers and peers.

According to an Internet Report from the UCLA Center for Communication Policy, 97% of kids aged 12 to 18 access the Internet on a regular basis. What they’re doing on the Internet, however, may be surprising. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that approximately one in every 17 kids is threatened or harassed while using the Internet. In fact, most don’t tell their parents or other adults, and if they do, the adults often don’t know how to stop the online teasing.

Gossiping, whether it’s in the halls or on a message board, more often than not leads to hurt feelings. According to the Nemours Foundation, if teens spend enough time gossiping and passing on stories they don’t know are true, eventually no one will believe anything they say, even when it is the truth. Teens who gossip shouldn’t expect to be trusted ever again. Once friends learn that a peer can’t resist spreading secrets around, they won’t tell him or her anything personal. And if a teen gossips about personal or important issues, he or she could even end up in trouble at school and at home. Teachers don’t appreciate students who make it tough for other students to learn, and parents won’t be happy to hear that their child is causing trouble in school.

If you’ve heard your teen taking teasing and gossiping to a hurtful level, it’s time to remedy the situation. The experts at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota offer the following advice for curbing your teen’s gossiping and teasing:

Cultivate your teen’s compassion. Talk to him or her about feelings – how emotional blows can hurt as much as physical ones. “You wouldn’t throw a rock at that boy, would you? So you shouldn’t call him a ‘zit-face’ either.”

Give your teen a simple test he or she can use to judge if his or her teasing is playful or hurtful: “How would I feel if someone said this about me?”

Talk to your teen about the when and where of playful teasing. He or she shouldn’t always resort to sarcasm or jokes at someone else’s expense in order to get a laugh.

Examine your own behavior and that of other family members. Do you rib your children at length, even after they plead with you to stop? Do you tease inappropriately, that is, about the way people look or the habits they have? Are you confusing razzing with teaching and discipline – for instance, do you communicate your frustration about your teen’s messy room by calling him “Mr. Slob”? Make sure that your own teasing (and that of everyone else in your household) is good-natured, not aggressive or manipulative.

As a parent, it is also important to regulate how your teen uses the Internet. If you know what your teen is doing while online, you can better prevent him or her from visiting message boards where the temptation to gossip exists. The Media Awareness Network suggests considering the following questions concerning how your teen surfs the Net:

Are you involved in your teen’s online activities?

Do you know what he or she is doing and whom your teen is talking to when he or she is on the Internet?

Does your family have a set of rules or an agreement for appropriate Internet use?

Do you make Internet use a family activity by guiding your teen to good sites and teaching him or her how to do safe, effective searches?

Have you taught your teen not to believe everything he or she reads online and to check online information with an adult or with another source?

If your teen has her or his own website, have you checked to make sure it doesn’t contain harmful or hurtful information?

Have you talked to your teen about responsible online behavior? Does he or she understand that making threats or harassing others online can be considered illegal activities?

References
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Media Awareness Network
Nemours Foundation
UCLA Center for Communication Policy
U.S. Department of Justice

Connect with Kids - Catching Up with the World

By Connect with Kids


“Most people, I guess, don’t really spend their summers doing academic things.”

– Margaret Coy, a student

Many teens spend their summer vacation days playing – and working – without ever opening a book.

But not Zach Wilson and Margaret Coy: They take college preparatory classes during their school break.

“Most people, I guess, don’t really spend their summers doing academic things. Some people look at me like I’m kind of crazy for it, but I’ve enjoyed it,” Margaret says.

“I want to keep going [to school] in the summer so I can get done a lot faster and go to law school,” Zach adds.

Zach’s and Margaret’s academic habits are more in line with students around the world. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students in Taiwan spend 10 additional weeks in school compared to U.S. students. Students in Canada, Spain and Scotland attend classes two weeks longer than their American counterparts. And experts say that in matters of education, quantity matters.

“It’s particularly true in the mathematics and science areas that the United States does not tend to do as well as students from other nations when you compare their abilities,” says Dianne Weber, admissions director at Georgia State University.

One problem, Weber says, is that all summer long teens don’t exercise their brains. One way to counteract this effect is to take a class.

“So I think the idea is, keep your child’s mind active during the summer … not just going to the swimming pool, not just watching television, but really being involved in some cultural experiences or reading experiences,” Weber says.

Still, experts say that kids shouldn’t spend all of their free time hitting the books because they run the risk of experiencing too much stress.

“The student could get burned out earlier than they need to be,” Weber says.

Margaret knows how to keep her life balanced with study and play. She is a member of the dance team, Spanish club and cross-country team, but she also leaves time for “just the regular things – hanging out with my friends and maintaining a social life,” she says.

Tips for Parents

Teens Seek Learning Enhancement

While many students nationwide are enjoying the school-free days of summer, some are choosing to spend the next few months trying to get an early jump on the next academic year.

More and more students are trading sleep away camps this summer for precollege courses. Programs offered by universities such as Penn State and UCLA give 15 and 16-year-olds the opportunity to enhance their academic career by spending a month on a college campus, which includes college courses and SAT prep classes.

These students are seeking new ways to enhance their learning, which they say lags behind other countries. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education says that American students only spend an average of 178 days in school vs. countries like China (251), Israel (215) and Italy (204).

And data from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) reveals evidence that the quality of U.S. instruction in mathematics may lag behind that of other countries.

A program initiated in Massachusetts in 2006 to extend the school day has proven that more time in school improves grades. Students in the program have had greater gains in state reading and math tests than peers in schools with traditional schedules.

How can parents help enhance their children’s learning, especially during the summer break? The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) offers these suggestions:

For Children:

Enrich your child’s experiences by lending personal meaning to school learning. For example, if your child is studying a local Native American group, take him or her to a museum or mission. If he or she is studying marine life, visit the beach to explore the tide pools, or take a trip to an aquarium.

Recognize that everyday experience enhances school learning, too. You may not realize it, but those trips to the park, to a city and to a relative’s house, and the pet turtle or fish your child has in his or her room, all help your child relate to what he or she reads and learns.

Read to or with your child every day.

Show that you enjoy reading. Let your child see you reading books, magazines, newspapers, school notices and other written materials.

Use your public library and discover its resources with your child.

Use your television as a teaching tool. Watch insightful programs with your child, and talk about what you are viewing.

Share some of your new knowledge with your child. Let him or her see how learning continues throughout a lifetime.

Enroll your child in a day camp. Most camps offer a wide variety of activities that will stimulate your child’s mind and teach him or her new skills that he or she can apply to tasks during the school year.

For Teens:

Share personal stories with your teen. The possibilities are endless. You can share stories about your childhood or even tell your teen about his or her birth. The stories you share can give your teen a sense of connectedness with the past.

Provide your teen with the opportunity to try distance learning. Several online programs focusing on a variety of educational topics exist.

Involve your teen in independent reading and study. Independent reading and study will help your teen to prepare academically for college. This is a good way to develop interests, expand knowledge and improve the vocabulary and reading comprehension skills needed for college and the SAT or ACT.

Encourage extracurricular activities. Many school, community and religious organizations enable high school students to explore their interests and talents by providing activities outside the classroom. Colleges are often interested in a student’s extracurricular activities, such as school clubs, the student newspaper, athletics, musical activities and arts and drama, especially if a student has excelled in one or more of these areas.

Challenge your teen to obtain a job or volunteer for community service. Work experience – paid or volunteer – can teach teens discipline, responsibility, reliability, teamwork and other skills. A summer job may be a good way to gain experience and earn money for college as well. Activities, such as tutoring children in the community or volunteering at the local hospital, make valuable contributions to society and also help students to identify their career interests and goals, gain workplace skills and apply classroom learning to real-world problem solving.

While summer vacation provides an excellent time for your child to enhance his or her learning, make sure that your child – a teen in particular – is not embarking on the road to school burnout. If you do notice that stress is affecting your child’s health, behavior, thoughts or feelings, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests these methods for decreasing your child’s stress levels:

Make sure your child exercises and eats regularly.

Teach your child relaxation exercises, such as abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.

Help your child develop practical coping skills. For example, teach him or her to break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks.

Make sure your child takes a break from studying. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing or spending time with a pet can reduce stress.

Encourage your child to build a network of friends who challenge and support him or her in a positive way.

References
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
National Center for Education Statistics
National Parent Teacher Association
U.S. Department of Education