Monday, May 24, 2010

“For kids, video games top saving nature” plus 3 more

“For kids, video games top saving nature” plus 3 more

For kids, video games top saving nature

Posted: 23 May 2010 05:03 PM PDT

PARIS, May 24 — Ten times more children around the world rank watching television and playing video games as more important to them than saving the environment, according to a survey released Wednesday.

Earth's flora and fauna are disappearing 1,000 times faster than the natural extinction rate, but only nine per cent of kids gave a top priority to protecting the planet's animal life.

Many did not even know what is meant by "endangered species," reported the survey, released by the UN Convention on Biodiversity.

"The survey confirms the alarming disconnect of our children with nature," the Convention's Executive Secretary, Ahmed Djoghlaf, said in a statement.

He called for "urgent action to close this growing gap between tomorrow's citizens and their natural heritage."

Sponsored by European aircraft giant Airbus, the survey was conducted among 10,000 five-to-18 year olds in 10 countries.

When asked which type of animal or plant they would most like to save, nine per cent cited birds, 23 per cent favoured reptiles, and 50 per cent gave mammals top priority, with the snow leopard given as an example.

Only six per cent chose plants and less than one per cent opted for insects.

The participating countries were Australia, Britain, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Spain and the United States. — AFP/Relaxnews

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Jordan Romero and Mount Everest: motivating other kids

Posted: 24 May 2010 06:56 AM PDT

"He's trying to inspire kids to put down video games and go outside and set goals, big ones."

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– Katherine Blanc, resident of Big Bear, California, hometown of 13-year-old Jordan Romero. His achievement as the youngest person to scale Mount Everest adds to the debate about ambitious risky goals for people so young.

Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Wireless Wisdom for Kids and Parents

Posted: 24 May 2010 05:19 AM PDT

SOURCE: CTIA-The Wireless Association

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - May 24, 2010) -  (Family Features) Today's tech-savvy kids have a world of digital and social media available at their fingertips. They can call, text, e-mail, surf the web, watch TV and movies, play music and games, take and share pictures and video -- all from their mobile devices.

While there are infinite benefits of wireless products and services for kids such as mLearning, mHealth, civic engagement and others, parents around the country are trying to balance the good with the need to prevent their children from using the technology in an irresponsible or inappropriate manner.

According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project:

  • 15 percent of 12-17 year olds who own mobile devices say they have received sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images of someone they know via text messaging on their cell phone.
  • 54 percent of text-using teens have received spam or other unwanted texts, and 26 percent have been bullied or harassed through text messages and phone calls.
  • One in three texting teens ages 16-17 say they have texted while driving.

The question that many parents or guardians wonder is, "How do I make sure my children are using their devices responsibly?"

Together with kids, expert educators, parents and The Wireless Foundation, CTIA-The Wireless Association and its members have developed the "Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe: Responsible Wireless Use" campaign, primarily focused around its website (www.besmartwireless.com). To help parents or guardians talk with their kids about their mobile device usage, they are offering some simple tips. 

  1. Know your child's service plan such as voice, text messaging, e-mail and Internet access. Be familiar with your child's phone's features, as well, such as the ability to take and send pictures or videos or download music or apps. This includes knowing what parental tools your wireless carrier may offer.
  2. Discuss your family's rules on using mobile devices. This may include certain times and ways of use and consequences if these rules are broken. Make sure to write down these rules and penalties and post them in a central location at home.
  3. Periodically, revisit these rules as your children grow older and wireless technology evolves. 

While some children may view this as prying, it is very important that kids know how their parents or guardians expect them to behave and utilize wireless products and services. In addition, children must feel comfortable talking to their parents, guardians, educators or other trusted adults about all of their wireless use -- including when they receive questionable content or contact on their devices. CTIA and the wireless industry believe parents and other caring adults are the keys to kids' responsible wireless use.

"Be Smart" is a national education campaign focused on equipping parents and caregivers so they can teach kids to use their wireless devices responsibly. The website www.besmartwireless.com provides easy-to-understand information, including a listing of wireless providers and the parental features and filters they offer; a glossary of key terms; tips, example of family rules; two free 6th-12th grade educational lessons plans and more. 

Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Wireless Wisdom for Kids and Parents

Posted: 24 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT

'Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe: Responsible Wireless Use' Campaign

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - 05/24/10) - (Family Features) Today's tech-savvy kids have a world of digital and social media available at their fingertips. They can call, text, e-mail, surf the web, watch TV and movies, play music and games, take and share pictures and video -- all from their mobile devices.

While there are infinite benefits of wireless products and services for kids such as mLearning, mHealth, civic engagement and others, parents around the country are trying to balance the good with the need to prevent their children from using the technology in an irresponsible or inappropriate manner.

According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project:

  • 15 percent of 12-17 year olds who own mobile devices say they have received sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images of someone they know via text messaging on their cell phone.
  • 54 percent of text-using teens have received spam or other unwanted texts, and 26 percent have been bullied or harassed through text messages and phone calls.
  • One in three texting teens ages 16-17 say they have texted while driving.

The question that many parents or guardians wonder is, "How do I make sure my children are using their devices responsibly?"

Together with kids, expert educators, parents and The Wireless Foundation, CTIA-The Wireless Association and its members have developed the "Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe: Responsible Wireless Use" campaign, primarily focused around its website (www.besmartwireless.com). To help parents or guardians talk with their kids about their mobile device usage, they are offering some simple tips.

 
1.  Know your child's service plan such as voice, text messaging, e-mail and
    Internet access. Be familiar with your child's phone's features, as
    well, such as the ability to take and send pictures or videos or
    download music or apps. This includes knowing what parental tools your
    wireless carrier may offer.
2.  Discuss your family's rules on using mobile devices. This may include
    certain times and ways of use and consequences if these rules are
    broken. Make sure to write down these rules and penalties and post them
    in a central location at home.
3.  Periodically, revisit these rules as your children grow older and
    wireless technology evolves.

While some children may view this as prying, it is very important that kids know how their parents or guardians expect them to behave and utilize wireless products and services. In addition, children must feel comfortable talking to their parents, guardians, educators or other trusted adults about all of their wireless use -- including when they receive questionable content or contact on their devices. CTIA and the wireless industry believe parents and other caring adults are the keys to kids' responsible wireless use.

"Be Smart" is a national education campaign focused on equipping parents and caregivers so they can teach kids to use their wireless devices responsibly. The website www.besmartwireless.com provides easy-to-understand information, including a listing of wireless providers and the parental features and filters they offer; a glossary of key terms; tips, example of family rules; two free 6th-12th grade educational lessons plans and more.

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Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
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