Facebook and Florida Agree On Internet Safeguards for Youth

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has announced that Florida has joined 48 states and the District of Columbia in an agreement with Facebook, the popular Internet social networking site. The agreement focuses on several changes Facebook will make to better protect children from predators and inappropriate content and to participate in a task force on implementation of age and identity verification software.

“All too often, children are careless about what they share with strangers online, and we must continue working to protect our children from predators who may exploit social networking sites to locate their next victim,” he said.

As a result of the agreement, Facebook has agreed to make several changes, including a measure of protection to address a behavior known as “grooming,” where predators lie about their age online in order to seduce victims.

To read more click on the Florida Attorney General’s website.

Kids and Young Adults Abuse Cough and Cold Medicines

About 3.1 million people in the U.S. aged 12 to 25 (5.3 percent of this age group) have used over-the-counter (non-prescription) cough and cold medicines to get high at least once in their lifetimes, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Newly analyzed data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show the number is comparable to those who say they have used LSD (3.1 million), and is significantly greater than the number who reported having tried methamphetamines (2.4 million).

Read more about the report on the SAMHSA website.

U.S. Teen Birth Rate Rising

The teen birth rate in the United States rose in 2006 for the first time since 1991, and unmarried childbearing also rose significantly, according to preliminary birth statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This news can leave parents wondering how they can help their children avoid becoming one of the statistics. Experts on the Kidshealth.org website offer advice for parents on how to educate their children.  While schools often begin offering sex education in the fifth grade, experts recommend parents begin a conversation on the subject much earlier.

For more information, click here.

Strong Self Esteem Equals Less Materialism

At this gift-giving time of the year, it is good to know that kids with healthy self-esteem are much less likely to be materialistic.

In a two-part study of students ages 8-18, reviewed on the KidsHealth.org website, researchers found that low self-esteem boosts materialism, but raising self-esteem makes materialism plunge

To read more about the study, and to find out how parents can build esteem in children, go to the KidsHealth website.

Drugs Combined with Therapy Offer Best Benefit to Depressed Teens

A combination of antidepressant drugs and cognitive behavior therapy is the most effect approach when treating teens suffering from major depressive disorder, according to a long-term study led by a Duke University Medical Center psychiatrist.

The findings of the study, “Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study,” published in the October issue of “Archives of General Psychiatry,” indicate that combination therapy improved depressive symptoms and reduced the level of suicidal thinking and behavior in adolescents.

To read more information about the Duke University study, click here. 

Dommerich Hosts Healthy Foods Cook-Off

Dommerich Elementary School will host “Ready, Set, Cook and Eat”–a celebrity chef and student cook-off designed to inspire healthy family eating–at 7 p.m., October 10 in the school’s cafeteria at 1900 Choctaw Trail, Maitland.

The event was created by Healthy Kids Challenge, a national, non profit organization led by registered, licensed dietitians dedicated to getting kids and families to eat healthfully and exercise.  It will be emceed by the group’s director, Vickie James, RD, LD.

During the event, four teams of students and celebrity chefs  will be given a mystery bag of ingredients and a few simple pieces of cooking equipment and kitchenware.  They will then have about 30 minutes to prepare a healthy dish in front of the audience.

Read more about the event on the Winter Park Health Foundation website.