I took away my teenager’s phone last weekend and she made it seem like I had destroyed her social life. She seems obsessed. What is the deal with teenagers and cell phones? Maria, New Mexico Think you can live for a week without your cell phone or the Internet? It’s might be tough. But for… Read More →
You recently wrote a post about engaging youth in conversations about online safety and digital citizenship? Do you have any tips or resources on how to do this? – Monica, Toledo, Ohio This is a great question! Involving young people in this conversation can be as simple as asking what they are doing online and… Read More →
Preparing our children for kindness online and offline is part of raising kids in the 21st century. It can be tempting to wait until there is an incident to have serious conversations about cyberbullying, cruelty and online drama with your kids. Yet our kids need us to talk early and talk often. As soon as… Read More →
Could you please help me find the link to the “Barney vs Power Rangers” video? I would like to show it at a parents meeting! Kelly, Texas Kelly, I will get to your question in just a moment! First, for those of you who don’t know what the “Barney vs. Power Rangers” video is, let… Read More →
How many hours do teenagers listen to music, a day? Including all music devices? Amanda, Nevada Amanda, Thanks for the question. We spend a lot of time focusing on cell phones, video games, and TV – but certainly listening to music continues to be one of teens’ favorite digital activities. Music has been central to… Read More →
Is there a certain type of game that effects attitude in children more? Do you think that certain media should be banned or have more restrictions? Jesse, Rush City, MN Thank you for the good question, Jesse. Nicholas Johnson, a Federal Communications Commissioner, said almost fifty years ago, “All television is educational. The question is,… Read More →
Early childhood literacy starts long before babies can read. Get started today: Talk talk talk. Talk with your baby a lot, even before she is able to speak. Because children learn to speak by copying the language they hear, they need talkative role models. Read to your baby every day. Starting a tradition of reading… Read More →
