“Do it for the ‘gram,’” has become a common phrase among children and teenagers alike, signifying doing an act or posing in a certain manner specifically to later post a photo on Instagram and receive numerous likes. This is just one example of social media potentially dictating adolescents’ lives. Though harmless in theory, social media … More Social Media’s Effects on Adolescent Mental Health
If you’ve ever been taken aback by the pungent chemical cloud hanging over your local hair or nail salon, you’ve probably wondered whether it would be best to simply hold your breath (especially if you were around when Aquanet hairspray was burning a hole in the ozone layer!). The good news is that there is … More How Safe are Salon Products?
Cell phones have become a major part of everyday life in the last few decades. With the increase in cell phone usage across all ages, races, and socio-economic status, there is growing concern for consequences of cell phone radiation exposure in pregnant women and children. Below we’ll explain the major issues with cell phone radiation … More Is cell phone radiation harmful in pregnancy and childhood?
1. Not all painkillers are the same • There are many types of medicines to help with pain. You might choose to buy something at the drug store like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or a “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug” – NSAID (Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen). • Or your doctor/nurse practitioner may prescribe pain medicine. It may be a … More Five Important Facts about Opioids (narcotic pain killers)
Imagine yourself back in February — or whenever you last watched a NFL game. Did you notice how many ads featured women wearing revealing clothing? Did you count how many commercials used sex to sell their product? The idea of using sex to sell is not new to marketing, but over the past several decades … More Sexualization and Body Image is Hurting Our Kids
This year, four children in Texas died after an unpleasant smell was noticed in their home. It was later discovered that the landlord had sprayed rodenticides around the outside of the house. How could this have been prevented? In another news report, a 1-year old boy experienced vomiting and green diarrhea after his mother found … More Rodenticides: Keep critters at bay but keep children away
In a world where technology is everywhere, how much screen time is too much? We all know too much TV is bad for us. Everyone remembers being scolded by their parents for watching too much television, hearing “it’s bad for your eyes,” or “you’re turning into a couch-potato.” But in the 21st century, the … More iScreen, you screen, we all scream for screen time!
In 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that “the scientific evidence indicates there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand [tobacco] smoke.” At that time, over 50,000 deaths per year were attributed to secondhand tobacco smoke alone. Although more studies are needed on cannabis (marijuana) secondhand and thirdhand smoke, some data already available shows … More Secondhand and Thirdhand Cigarette and Marijuana Smoke
RECESS! Time for lava monster, freeze tag, four square, and foot races! Playing outside on playgrounds, driveways, or blacktops are central to a child’s healthy lifestyle, and we want to keep it that way. You may have heard or read that certain pavement sealants (“blacktop”) can cause cancer and are less environmentally friendly than alternatives. … More Let’s Seal the Deal: Ban Coal Tar-Based Blacktop Sealant
Turn on the local news in the US and, more often than not, you’ll hear a story about gun violence. Serious injuries and fatalities from guns occur far too often nowadays. Whether or not stricter gun control laws are the answer is a topic for another day. However, one thing that everyone can agree on … More Prevention is the best medicine: How to keep your kids safe from gun accidents
