Huffing is the purposeful inhalation of chemical vapors to achieve a feeling of euphoria. There are more than 1,000 common household products that can be huffed, including aerosols, such as paint, deodorants, and hairspray, gases, such as nitrous oxide from whipping cream cans, nitrates, and volatile solvents, like gas or glue. Nealy 17 million people have at least experimented with inhalants at some point in their lives. They are the fourth most commonly abused substance in the United States among 8th graders and high schools students.
The primary user group of inhalants is 12-17 year old children.
18% of 8th graders have admitted to huffing a substance to get high at least once in their lifetime.
Males and females abuse inhalants at nearly equal rates.
The average age of those who suffer inhalant related deaths is 25.
Signs of inhalant abuse include disoriented appearance, presence of paint or other inhaled materials on the face, hands, or clothing, red or runny nose, sores around the nose and mouth, slurred speech, nausea, and strong chemical smell.
Death from huffing can occur after the first time use, or prolonged exposure.
Kids who huff inhalants typically experiment with other drugs as well.
Using huffing as a method to get high can lead to permanent brain damage, and damage to the heart, lungs, and liver.
Cancer, cardiac arrest, suffocation, brain damage, muscle damage, bone marrow damage, choking, and death can all result from the act of huffing dangerous substances. Recognizing the dangers and teaching them to your children are the keys to drug abuse prevention.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sex Bracelets and Their Meaning
Some claim the sex bracelet to be an urban legend, while others are banning them from schools. Many kids and teens state that the color of a jelly bracelet worn by a young girl indicates her sexual availability or what why she is willing to do with her body. Alarmingly, this trend seems to be more prevalent with junior high girls ages 11-13. However, there seems to be little consistency with the action that each color represents.
Yellow, pink, orange, black, with or without glitter, there appears to be no limit to the colors worn by young girls with their sex bracelets, or the actions that they represent. While one color indicates a girls willingness to give a hug, another suggests that she is open to kissing, while yet another may indicate intercourse or worse. Parents of kids and young teens need to be aware of this trend and make all efforts in preventing its progression, and communicate with your teen/pre-teen about sexuality and teen sexual activity.
Although your junior high daughter may wear a colored jelly bracelet or something similar, it does not necessarily mean that she is participating in the sexual act that is represents. However, being part of the “game” by following the trend may result in young girls feeling pressured to conduct sexual acts. Plus, young boys may see it as an invitation to perpetrate acts of sexual aggression. Part of the legend suggests that if a boy breaks the bracelet off the girls wrist, or pulls her by it to a private place, he is entitled to receive the action that is symbolized by the bracelet's color.
Overall, the bracelets pose a danger, as they are assumed to act as a “sex code.” They are one fashion expression that should be prohibited. While the average age of first sexual activity varies based on gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, it is often younger than one might suspect. Therefore, it is important to talk to your kids about sex from a young age, as to make sure they don't learn about it from a bracelet.
Yellow, pink, orange, black, with or without glitter, there appears to be no limit to the colors worn by young girls with their sex bracelets, or the actions that they represent. While one color indicates a girls willingness to give a hug, another suggests that she is open to kissing, while yet another may indicate intercourse or worse. Parents of kids and young teens need to be aware of this trend and make all efforts in preventing its progression, and communicate with your teen/pre-teen about sexuality and teen sexual activity.
Although your junior high daughter may wear a colored jelly bracelet or something similar, it does not necessarily mean that she is participating in the sexual act that is represents. However, being part of the “game” by following the trend may result in young girls feeling pressured to conduct sexual acts. Plus, young boys may see it as an invitation to perpetrate acts of sexual aggression. Part of the legend suggests that if a boy breaks the bracelet off the girls wrist, or pulls her by it to a private place, he is entitled to receive the action that is symbolized by the bracelet's color.
Overall, the bracelets pose a danger, as they are assumed to act as a “sex code.” They are one fashion expression that should be prohibited. While the average age of first sexual activity varies based on gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, it is often younger than one might suspect. Therefore, it is important to talk to your kids about sex from a young age, as to make sure they don't learn about it from a bracelet.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Teen Obesity
Teen obesity is a growing epidemic in our nation. With today's lifestyles consisting of instant meals and giant televisions, there are millions of teens being effected by excessive weight gain. Obesity poses health risks, can create a social disability, and often results in a poor self image. Teens who become obese may develop severe depression, antagonistic behavior, and any number of weight related illnesses. With the effects of obesity causing so many problems, they bring many concerned parents to seek advice on how to help their teens maintain a healthy weight.
Approximately 14% of teens in the United States are overweight. Those who are more than 20% above their recommended weight range are considered to be obese. Diabetes, heart disease, gall stones, hypertension, and cancer are all risks that one takes in being obese. Overall, it will shorten your lifespan to be significantly overweight. However, the more immediate effects of obesity are the devastating social and emotional challenges that become seemingly unavoidable. Obese teens generally have difficulty making friends. Often they are involved in bullying, either as the perpetrator or the victim. Plus, their self esteem greatly suffers as they are criticized by others and recognize that they don't fit the mold for what society considers attractive, healthy, or normal. If a teen is obese and happy, they are usually the exception rather than the rule. Overall, their weight problem may lead to extreme teen depression, which can affect every aspect of a teen's life.
By the teenage years, kids are generally responsible for feeding themselves and choosing how to spend their free time. This can make it particularly challenging to help a teen overcome a weight problem. In order to have any success, you must first get the teen on board with the weight loss goal. Weight gain can be a very sensitive subject for many teens, who might respond with unhealthy dieting tactics that often fail. The only key to real weight loss is healthy eating and regular exercise. Therefore, help your teen set some goals that revolve around these behaviors and being healthy. Make sure all goals are attainable and have a set time for completion. Positive encouragement is most effective, whereas being critical of your teen will only make the problem worse. Although teen obesity can negatively affect every aspect of your teens physical, social, and emotional health, it can be overcome. However, if your teen continues to maintain an unhealthy weight or shows signs of a binge eating disorder, consult a professional for help.
Approximately 14% of teens in the United States are overweight. Those who are more than 20% above their recommended weight range are considered to be obese. Diabetes, heart disease, gall stones, hypertension, and cancer are all risks that one takes in being obese. Overall, it will shorten your lifespan to be significantly overweight. However, the more immediate effects of obesity are the devastating social and emotional challenges that become seemingly unavoidable. Obese teens generally have difficulty making friends. Often they are involved in bullying, either as the perpetrator or the victim. Plus, their self esteem greatly suffers as they are criticized by others and recognize that they don't fit the mold for what society considers attractive, healthy, or normal. If a teen is obese and happy, they are usually the exception rather than the rule. Overall, their weight problem may lead to extreme teen depression, which can affect every aspect of a teen's life.
By the teenage years, kids are generally responsible for feeding themselves and choosing how to spend their free time. This can make it particularly challenging to help a teen overcome a weight problem. In order to have any success, you must first get the teen on board with the weight loss goal. Weight gain can be a very sensitive subject for many teens, who might respond with unhealthy dieting tactics that often fail. The only key to real weight loss is healthy eating and regular exercise. Therefore, help your teen set some goals that revolve around these behaviors and being healthy. Make sure all goals are attainable and have a set time for completion. Positive encouragement is most effective, whereas being critical of your teen will only make the problem worse. Although teen obesity can negatively affect every aspect of your teens physical, social, and emotional health, it can be overcome. However, if your teen continues to maintain an unhealthy weight or shows signs of a binge eating disorder, consult a professional for help.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Teen Gangs
A recent survey showed that 7% of teens say they belong to a gang. By definition, a gang is just a group of teens or young adults who spend a large amount of time together. However, they have become notorious for their association with violence. In fact, gang related activity is the leading source of violence in our American schools. Teens who become members of gangs are often at higher risk for serious injury or death.
The age of gang members varies, but usually they are between 12 and 25 years old. Many rebellious teens become interested in gangs as a means of defiance. Identifying gangs can be done fairly easily as they are traditionally a group of the same ethnicity and use certain hand shakes or signs to communicate with each other. Plus, a large part of being in a gang is portraying your membership with your clothing. Often, gang members will wear a particular style, brand, or color of clothing. Also, bandannas and baseball caps may indicate teen gang activity.
Teens are frequently asked to perform acts of violence as a right of a passage for their induction into a gang. In addition, gang activity usually involves inhabiting a particular area of space, whether it is a neighborhood or a hall inside of the school building. Gang violence often occurs in the act of other gangs invading the “protected area.” Also, drug trafficking, stealing, sex crimes, and weapons can all be part of gang activity. In fact, 70% of all teen deaths caused by a fire arm are gang related. Schools try to eliminate gang activity with dress codes and supervision. However, if you think your teen may be in trouble, seek the help of a professional counselor.
The age of gang members varies, but usually they are between 12 and 25 years old. Many rebellious teens become interested in gangs as a means of defiance. Identifying gangs can be done fairly easily as they are traditionally a group of the same ethnicity and use certain hand shakes or signs to communicate with each other. Plus, a large part of being in a gang is portraying your membership with your clothing. Often, gang members will wear a particular style, brand, or color of clothing. Also, bandannas and baseball caps may indicate teen gang activity.
Teens are frequently asked to perform acts of violence as a right of a passage for their induction into a gang. In addition, gang activity usually involves inhabiting a particular area of space, whether it is a neighborhood or a hall inside of the school building. Gang violence often occurs in the act of other gangs invading the “protected area.” Also, drug trafficking, stealing, sex crimes, and weapons can all be part of gang activity. In fact, 70% of all teen deaths caused by a fire arm are gang related. Schools try to eliminate gang activity with dress codes and supervision. However, if you think your teen may be in trouble, seek the help of a professional counselor.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Teen Smoking Statistics
Most teens can tell you about the dangers of smoking. However, despite their knowledge, a large number of them light their first cigarette everyday. For awhile, studies were showing a sharp decline in the number of teen smokers, but as of lately, numbers reflect a slight incline. Smoking related illness kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, murder, suicide, illegal drugs, and car crashes combined. The majority of all adult smokers, began smoking as a teen. Awareness needs to be made about the effects of smoking in a way that will prevent the experimentation of smoking by teens.
According to teen smoking statistics, about 3,900 teens start smoking everyday. 1,500 of the 3,900 will become regular smokers.
Nine out of ten tobacco users start before they are eighteen years old.
The leading risk factor for teen smoking is having parents who smoke. Less than 2% of smokers have parents who do not smoke.
396,000 smokers, who started smoking as a teen, die each year from smoking related disease.
Each year 800,000 teens pick up a smoking habit that will follow them into adulthood.
Sixty percent of smokers start before the age of thirteen.
Nicotine has the potential of addicting more than 80% of the teens who experiment with it.
An estimated 440,000 people die each year from a smoking related disease.
The majority of teens believe that smoking is more dangerous than drinking. However, some of them do not recognize their own mortality and fail to conceptualize their futures. For this reason, talking to teens about the future health implications of smoking doesn't make much of an impact of their decision making for today. Parents may be the single biggest influence in a teens decision not to smoke. Talk to your teen about smoking. Set a good example and encourage healthy activities that discourage the use of tobacco, such as sports. Appeal to their vanity by discussing how smoking effects personal appearance and hygiene. Although teen smoking is a high risk for early death, it can sometimes be prevented with the right communication.
According to teen smoking statistics, about 3,900 teens start smoking everyday. 1,500 of the 3,900 will become regular smokers.
Nine out of ten tobacco users start before they are eighteen years old.
The leading risk factor for teen smoking is having parents who smoke. Less than 2% of smokers have parents who do not smoke.
396,000 smokers, who started smoking as a teen, die each year from smoking related disease.
Each year 800,000 teens pick up a smoking habit that will follow them into adulthood.
Sixty percent of smokers start before the age of thirteen.
Nicotine has the potential of addicting more than 80% of the teens who experiment with it.
An estimated 440,000 people die each year from a smoking related disease.
The majority of teens believe that smoking is more dangerous than drinking. However, some of them do not recognize their own mortality and fail to conceptualize their futures. For this reason, talking to teens about the future health implications of smoking doesn't make much of an impact of their decision making for today. Parents may be the single biggest influence in a teens decision not to smoke. Talk to your teen about smoking. Set a good example and encourage healthy activities that discourage the use of tobacco, such as sports. Appeal to their vanity by discussing how smoking effects personal appearance and hygiene. Although teen smoking is a high risk for early death, it can sometimes be prevented with the right communication.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Teen Condom Use Statistics
Nationally, 66% of 18 year old females and 68% of 18 year old males have had sexual intercourse. Close to 2800 teens get pregnant everyday, while 1 in 4 of them become infected with an STD every year. Many schools are teaching safe sex as part of their curriculum, stepping on the toes of some parents who prefer to encourage abstinence. However, where teen sex is creating public health issues and teen pregnancy is costing our nation, it has people searching for a solutions to avoid a crisis.
It is a controversial topic in today's society. Should condoms be readily accessible to teens? Or does promoting their use also promote sexual activity? One study showed that 98% of all teens who have had sex, have used a condom. They understand it's function. However, about half of that same group also admitted to having teen sex at sometime without one. Although many places are making condoms available to teens, the condom strategy is not having the impact that was intended. Teens still are not using them every time they are having intercourse.
Overall, 71% of teens report having discussed condom use at home with a parent. Statistically, these teens were more likely to use a condom than others. However, condom use only had a dramatic increase in the teens who's parents spoke with them about condoms before their first sexual encounter. These results indicate that early discussion of safe sex is critical. In addition, females who used a condom at first intercourse were 20 times more likely to use one in future sexual activity. Although in an ideal world all teens would practice abstinence, there will always be some who participate in sex at early ages. Talk to your teen about pregnancy, STDs and safe sex.
It is a controversial topic in today's society. Should condoms be readily accessible to teens? Or does promoting their use also promote sexual activity? One study showed that 98% of all teens who have had sex, have used a condom. They understand it's function. However, about half of that same group also admitted to having teen sex at sometime without one. Although many places are making condoms available to teens, the condom strategy is not having the impact that was intended. Teens still are not using them every time they are having intercourse.
Overall, 71% of teens report having discussed condom use at home with a parent. Statistically, these teens were more likely to use a condom than others. However, condom use only had a dramatic increase in the teens who's parents spoke with them about condoms before their first sexual encounter. These results indicate that early discussion of safe sex is critical. In addition, females who used a condom at first intercourse were 20 times more likely to use one in future sexual activity. Although in an ideal world all teens would practice abstinence, there will always be some who participate in sex at early ages. Talk to your teen about pregnancy, STDs and safe sex.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Survival Guide for Teenagers and Social Networking Safety
Twitter, MySpace, Facebook. If you don't have an account with all three you probably don't spend much time online at all and won't be interested in any of the information here. It seems an unimaginable possibility for teens these days to even consider not being able to contact anyone they want, anytime they want. Between text messaging, cell phones, email, and social networking sites we are all "available" 24/7. While some adults or other sleep conscience people may actually leave their cell phone in another room and shut off their computer when they go to bed, many teens don't. They sleep with their phone just "in case someone has to get a hold of them". Not having a phone may cause them an abnormal amount of stress.
There are a number of problems that are presented by these behaviors. First is the lack of "real" interaction. Many people spend so many hours online chatting or gaming or updating information on these sites and feel like they are interacting with other people only to realize that their entire day is gone and they really haven't "talked" to anyone. The light of day and chance for sunlight and exercise just slipped by. While this might not be a top priority on a teenagers list, they may need some help from parents to understand that it is an important part of gaining crucial interpersonal skills that are going to be needed throughout life. Interpersonal skills are crucial in school, work, interviews, and many other settings.
A second problem is what type of information these mediums are making available about your teen and who is able to access or retrieve this information. Text messaging a picture to a friend can quickly be forwarded on to any number of people, text bullying, without your knowledge or permission. This can lead to any number of teen bullying or teen violence situations. The pictures may be used to make fun of someone or used as blackmail against the person. In online social networks the dangers can be even more scary. Sending your phone number or address to a friend may seem harmless but this information again can easily be sent on to any number of people or posted in an area where many people that you don't know can access the information without your knowledge, cyber bullying.
Having an open and honest conversation with your teen discussing the dangers that are present and the best way to safeguard him/herself and information can go a long ways. If you have a defiant teen or troubled teen that will not listen to you, you may have to find someone else or some other way of sharing the dangers presented by this type of networking to be able to provide your teen with every opportunity for safety. Some general guidelines to follow and be aware of:
There are a number of problems that are presented by these behaviors. First is the lack of "real" interaction. Many people spend so many hours online chatting or gaming or updating information on these sites and feel like they are interacting with other people only to realize that their entire day is gone and they really haven't "talked" to anyone. The light of day and chance for sunlight and exercise just slipped by. While this might not be a top priority on a teenagers list, they may need some help from parents to understand that it is an important part of gaining crucial interpersonal skills that are going to be needed throughout life. Interpersonal skills are crucial in school, work, interviews, and many other settings.
A second problem is what type of information these mediums are making available about your teen and who is able to access or retrieve this information. Text messaging a picture to a friend can quickly be forwarded on to any number of people, text bullying, without your knowledge or permission. This can lead to any number of teen bullying or teen violence situations. The pictures may be used to make fun of someone or used as blackmail against the person. In online social networks the dangers can be even more scary. Sending your phone number or address to a friend may seem harmless but this information again can easily be sent on to any number of people or posted in an area where many people that you don't know can access the information without your knowledge, cyber bullying.
Having an open and honest conversation with your teen discussing the dangers that are present and the best way to safeguard him/herself and information can go a long ways. If you have a defiant teen or troubled teen that will not listen to you, you may have to find someone else or some other way of sharing the dangers presented by this type of networking to be able to provide your teen with every opportunity for safety. Some general guidelines to follow and be aware of:
- Privacy settings: know what settings are on your profile of each of your social network sites, know who can see what and what you can change and what you have no control over.
- Be Friend Conscious: Don't add every person that sends you a friend request. Make sure it is someone you know and someone you want to be able to see everything you post. Remember it isn't hard for someone to copy your post and repost it or send it on. Don't say things you don't want everyone to know.
- Think before you speak: remember that it may not just be friends or relatives that are looking at your profile. Colleges, bosses, future bosses, teachers, neighbors, really anyone can find out a lot about you. Don't post pictures or messages that are going to harm you or someone else, either now or in the future. What happens in cyberspace stays in cyberspace and can be retrieved or misconstrued and most likely at the worst possible time. These aren't just teen issues but something everyone should think of.
- Don't give out personal information: Unfortunately the internet has become a prime foraging ground for predators. Teens love to post cute, sexy pictures and don't think much about listing the time and place of the next big get together. Remember, you can't pick and choose who is going to read and see everything you post. Think of online safety first, don't post full names, phone numbers, addresses, or school names. Anything that could allow someone that doesn't know you to find you.
- Last, but not least LIVE: don't allow the cyber world to become your only world. Getting out of the house and interacting with others is a critical part of living. Staying inside and spending too much time alone can eventually lead to depression, social development issues, and many other teen problems.
The main thing to remember is to be smart. Think things through and be safe, rather than sorry! If all else fails, use a parent contract so that you and your teen know what is acceptable and safe!
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