Some of Children’s Top 10 Online Searches Raise Concerns

A study of computer searches between February and July 2009 offers a glimpse into online activity performed by children.

The computer security company Symantec Corp. followed usage patterns among children whose computers have a type of software called OnlineFamily.Norton service, which allows parents to monitor their kids’ Internet activity.

The number one search term was for YouTube, Google’s video sharing website, followed by the Google search engine. Facebook, the social-network site, came in third.

Of concern are two of the next most popular searches — the word, “sex” was listed as number 4; “porn” as the sixth most sought-after search among children.

Rounding out the top ten list: MySpace (#5); Yahoo (#7); Michael Jackson (#8); Fred – a popular fictional character among children on the YouTube channel (#9); and, eBay (#10).
[SOURCE: 8/14/09 - LIfeSiteNews.com]

Youths Use Alcoholic Drink Labels To Choose Strongest Drink At Lowest Cost

ScienceDaily (May 15, 2009)

Contrary to the industry’s position that visible drink labels will promote responsible drinking, young people are, instead, using these visible standard drink labels to increase or even maximize the amount of alcohol they consume at the lowest cost possible.

According to a new study, young people in Australia have very high awareness of standard drink labeling. However, this was predominately to help them choose the drinks that would get them drunk in the shortest time possible. The labels also served as guides, ‘advising’ them on which drink would reduce the time needed to get drunk and the least amount they would need to drink – hence getting the best ‘value’ for their money.

The study examines the young people’s perceptions of standard drink labeling, the purposes for which they use the labels and the potential impact on their alcohol consumption.

“Participants generally agreed that they notice drink labels and take in account what to purchase and consume. While earlier research with adult beer and alcohol drinkers has shown that standard drink labeling enables them to drink safely and responsibly, this motivation is not evident in the consumption choices with young drinkers and might even be counter-productive”, said co-author Professor Sandra Jones from the Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong.

Heavy episodic drinking is a major health issue for Australia, as it is for most developed countries. It has been estimated that, from 1993-2002, over 2500 young people aged 15-24 have died from alcohol-attributable injury and disease, with another 100,000 hospitalized.

Professor Jones adds, “There is a need to consider the deeper implications about alcohol packaging and marketing as they have real potential to impact and reduce alcohol-related harms. There is still an important role for standard drink labeling as long as it is combined with other policies addressing the price, availability and marketing of alcohol – which are of proven effectiveness in reducing alcohol related harm.”

Sexting: Felony because its pornography

05/13/09
http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0509/622596.html

SPRINGFIELD, Va. – There are renewed concerns over the dangers of sexting, as dozens of concerned parents met with police at West Springfield High School Wednesday night.

Police say parents and teens need to know that according to the law, sending or receiving nude images of a minor is considered a felony because it’s pornography.

Marc MacDonald, a Fairfax County (web | news) police school resource officer, led a candid and timely town hall meeting about the dangers of sexting — when someone sends a nude image of a minor via cell phone.

Police say in the last six months alone, they’ve looked into several cases of sexting in the county. Jurisdictions around the country are grappling with a problem that seems to be spreading at an alarming rate.

“It’s most popular among teens — the reason is they are holding the technology in their hands every day to do this,” said MacDonald. “I think we have to get the kids to educate the kids. Once it’s in cyberspace it can’t be deleted.”

Rosa Castro and her daughter Carol were among many in attendance. “I haven’t done it and I haven’t heard of any of my friends doing it but I’ve heard of stories,” said Carol Oswald-Castro.

Parents and their children are on alert because many minors aren’t aware that sexting is a felony. Someone convicted of the crime would have to register as a sex offender.

“They don’t believe what they are doing is wrong and that’s part of the problem,” said MacDonald.

Attendees were warned that someone receiving such an image can also be punished under the law and needs to contact police immediately if they are sent such a text.

“This is a child pornography investigation from the beginning to the end for us,” noted MacDonald.

Police say a national survey shows 20 percent of teens nationwide have sexted. They are now urging parents to get involved.

Suicides, the third-leading cause of death for teens

Sarpy County officials, parents gather to address teen suicide
By: Bethany Fischer, Times Staff Writer
11/23/2008

“You don’t need to be your kids’ friends; you need to be their parents,” Dr. Scott Poland told 300-plus parents and community members on Monday night.

Poland, an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University of Florida and a nationally-recognized speaker on youth suicide, was in Papillion Nov. 17 to speak to community members as part of the newly-formed suicide task force.

In the morning, Poland spoke to officials from judicial systems, schools and law enforcement throughout Sarpy County for two hours at the Papillion-La Vista School District office, said Annette Eyman, communications director for PLSD. The event is a response to a rise in teen suicides; 11 Sarpy County teens have died by suicide in the past three years.

After speaking to the group collectively, Poland held breakout sessions with the separate agencies. During the breakout sessions, Poland both gave and gathered information, Eyman said.

Parents filled the room to capacity at the public meeting at 7 p.m. as Poland spoke on safeguarding children, preventing tragedies and building resiliency in today’s world.

During the session, Poland gave parents recommendations on how to stay connected to their children. Bring back the family meal, don’t let technology steal your child, avoid setting up their room up to be a kingdom and know where your child is and who their friends and friends’ parents are, he said.

In his research, Poland said he has found that children and teens often say they want their parents and teachers more involved.

All suicides, the third-leading cause of death for teens, cannot be prevented, but most can, he said.

“Parents should always model optimism and hope for the future,” Poland said.

Other advice included:
* “Love them for who they are and not who they will become”
* Stop looking the other way with teenage drinking
* Don’t give praise only when you’re in a good mood
* Pay attention to what children are watching on television
* “Your happiness cannot depend on your child’s happiness with you”

Eyman said parents were very receptive to the meeting.

“I think (the) night’s turnout was a huge success. I know Dr. (Rick) Black got a lot of feedback,” she said. “We got e-mails from a variety of parents – they’ve all been very supportive and very thankful.”

Monday was just the beginning, Eyman said.

“Now the next step will be to develop, what are our action plans as a community? One of the biggest issues and concerns that we heard was just for better communication between all of the different agencies,” Eyman said.

Now, the task force will begin working on countywide protocol.

The questions the task force is asking are “How will we deal with students who are having problems? How do we support those students and their families? And not only we as a school district, but we as a community, as a whole?” Eyman said.

Specifically for PLSD, the school district is bringing Poland back in December for some more training with school staff.

“We’re going to do intense training with all of our staff as well as (ask) what things do we need to do to strengthen the prevention procedures we have in place.” Eyman said.

-This report contains information from Midlands News Service