Dabbing: Is it Dangerous?

You may have heard the term "dab" or "dabbing", but you might think it is just a new dance craze. That might be somewhat correct, but there is another association with this term you need to know.
Smoking marijuana extracts is also known as "dabbing".  Extracts are the oils from the marijuana plant.  These oils are much stronger than dried marijuana and have significantly higher concentrations of THC.  THC is the chemical found in pot that gives you the feeling of being high.  In dried marijuana, THC levels are on average from 12-13%.  In marijuana extracts, the THC levels can be up to 80%!
When users are dabbing, the level of THC can cause significant loss in judgement and coordination. This often results in accidents and sometimes death.  Making extracts is also a very dangerous practice and explosions often occur as a result.
Scientists are calling for more public education about the risks of dabbing.  While smoking marijuana in any form is dangerous, dabbing can cause a higher tolerance to THC which can lead to more complicated symptoms of withdrawal.
For more information on why marijuana use is dangerous, read this article.

Source

Signs and Symptoms of Teen Drug Use

Teen drug use is something that can be prevented.  This infographic is a great way to stay informed and educated on signs and symptoms of drug use.  In addition, the following changes in your teen's behavior may indicate a need to seek some help:

• A change in friends. Teens who begin to spend time with others who use drugs may be bowing to peer pressure to use drugs, too.
• A sudden need for privacy. Taking drugs, and stashing away the signs of drug use, takes time and privacy. A once open teen who now needs hours alone may be spending those hours using drugs.
• Increased need for money, or stealing. Drugs can be expensive.
• Messy, careless personal appearance. Teens on a roller coaster of drug use may not take the time to groom themselves.
• Secretive phone calls or text messages that seem to be in code. Teens often talk to one another about drugs in this way.
• Lack of interest in hobbies the teen once enjoyed.
• Drop in grades, or failure to show up at school at all.

Via: Newport Academy

High School Sexting Scandal

CNN reports over 100 high school students in Colorado are being investigated for potential felony charges in a sexting scandal.  Local police have confiscated cell phones containing the photos.  The superintendent, George Welsh,  reported pictures being passed via "hidden apps" on the phones. 

"When you go into it and you ... hold a certain button long enough, a prompt for password comes up. Once you enter that password, then any messages that have been sent from photo vault to photo vault start coming up," Welsh said. The app is "a little bit like Snapchat," he added. "You can choose for the photo not to be able to remain on the device." 

Some of the pictures may have been taken on campus. The students face potential Class 3 felony charges and possible sex offender registration requirements.

The impulsive action of the teens to take and pass nude pictures could potentially impact college choice, career opportunities, and lifelong relationship issues associated with pornography use.
Studies show sexting happens more often than parents want to admit.

Read the full article here.

2015: Dangerous Apps Roundup

A recent study reported 43% of teens feel cyberbullying is a bigger problem than drugs (Vodafone, 2015).  Parents have to stay current and vigilant, but it is difficult to manage and monitor when there are new apps introduced daily.
The group, Educate Empower Kids, compiled a great report of the most dangerous apps of 2015.

Burn Note: All messages self destruct after being read.  Parents would not be able to see evidence of bullying or sexting. You cannot send pictures or videos through this app.

Hiding apps:  These apps are just false icons for what lies beneath.  These are meant to hide photos and other files that you do not want discovered on your phone.  The best tip I can give parents is to restrict your child from being able to download apps.  This can easily be done in the settings on the phone.

MORE DANGEROUS APPS HERE

The Naked Truth

Beware what you share!  This is another reminder that once we click the send button, our pictures and texts are online forever. According to Microsoft, 91% of teens re-post or share the images and content they receive. As parents, we want our children to be successful and get into the college of their choice, get the job they want, and find the spouse of their dreams.  What they do now in their digital life has direct implications on their future.  See the full size poster here.

Developmental Checkup: Does your student have what it takes to succeed?

Search Institute has identified the following building blocks of healthy development—known as Developmental Assets—that help young children grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. This is meant to be an educational tool used as a gauge for certain "soft skills" we might not target consistently.

Employers often report that these "soft skills" are more useful than academic merit and experience. The developmental list also has a feature called "Take Action" that shows steps to improve in each area.  

View this list for ages 12-18.

#Being13: Inside the Secret World of Teens

Are tweens addicted to their phones? How does social media intensify the emotional roller coaster ride of Junior High? And most importantly, how is plugging in changing growing up? These are just some of the questions that inspired CNN’sgroundbreaking investigation and scientific pilot study, “#Being13: Inside the Secret World of Teens.” You can watch it here (if your provider allows access to CNNgo).

To discover the controversial world that middle school kids live in today, Anderson Cooper 360° focused its lens on the place where teens spend so much time together – social media. Hundreds of 8th graders across the country agreed, with the consent of their parents and schools, to allow child development experts to follow their posts on Instagram, twitter and Facebook over six months. 150,000 posts later, all of the good, bad and ugly that kids experience online was revealed in technicolor. Parents and teens also completed in-depth surveys about social media’s impact on families. In partnership with child psychologist Dr. Marion Underwood and sociologist Dr. Robert Faris, CNN’s “#Being13” is the first large scale study to analyze what kids say to each other on social media and why it matters so deeply to them.

Headlines from CNN’s “Being13: Inside The Secret World of Teens” include:

·  Middle schoolers view social media as a real time score board for a 24/7 popularity contest.

· Students admit checking their social media accounts more than 100 times a day. Middle schoolers “check” social media more than they post. The more they look at social media, the more distressed they can become. 

· Social media interactions often matter more than real life conversations. The line between the real world and the cyber world no longer exists to middle schoolers. 

· #Being13 identifies new, painful ways teens bully and strategically exclude each other on social media. More than a third of middle schoolers admit they purposely exclude others online. 

· 94% of parents underestimated the amount of fighting on social media. This show will decode the language teens don’t want their parents to understand.

· 15 percent of middle schoolers admit they have received inappropriate photos, many of which are used for revenge porn.

· #Being13 explores the connection between selfies and self-esteem. It introduces viewers to teens who take 200 selfies before selecting which one to post. 

“#Being13: Inside The Secret World Of Teens” also gives families a practical roadmap for navigating the new challenges of parenting plugged-in Tweens. It shows parents what to worry about and what to let go, and how to use social media as a way to deepen their relationships with their children.

Trussville Police Department: Prescription Drug Take Back Day

In cooperation with the DEA, Trussville Police Department is hosting a prescription drug take back day.  This is an easy way to create a safer environment and responsibly turn in unused drugs.
The event will be Saturday September 26, 10am-2pm at 131 Main Street Trussville.

Many stories like this one started because the teen found pain killers that were in the medicine cabinet.  Get rid of prescription drugs that are expired or you no longer need.  It may save someone from the road of addiction. 

Parenting Teens: A Great Website for Resources

A fellow colleague and teacher, Ms. April Howell, recently passed this site along to me.  I have watched it over the last few weeks and wanted to pass it along as well.
This site contains information from test prep, specific topics related to teen behavior, current technology updates, and a host of other items in which you may be interested.

I recently utilized this for a personal reason and I can say I was pleased with the advice and utilized it to a successful outcome.

As with all websites, do your research to make an informed decision as to whether the information is valid and right for your situation.

 

Hidden Photos on your Child's Phone

The Blount County DA has a Facebook page where she updates and alerts parents to new information about kids and smartphones.  She also posts current news information on her page. You can find her here.

Recently, she wrote about a new app you need to be aware of if you are a parent, grandparent, or guardian of children.
This new app is called Calculator %  and it is an app designed to hide photos.  The app requires you to enter a secret code using the calculator buttons.  Once you enter the code, it takes you to your secret photos.
Watch this short clip here.
Read the full article here.


It is likely that the hidden photos are inappropriate.  Let's also talk about the dangers of inappropriate photos being shared through the internet. There are criminal charges associated with sharing or receiving inappropriate photos/videos.
Watch this short clip here.

Laws Pertaining to Sexting in Alabama
In Alabama, teens caught sending or receiving explicit images of a minor, including images of themselves, could be prosecuted under the States child pornography laws, obscenity laws or material harmful to minor's law.  If convicted, an individual will generally need to register as a sex offender.

Punishment
It is illegal to:

• Possess child pornography
• Possess with intent to distribute
• Dissemination
• Production of child pornography
• Knowingly allow your child to participate in producing child pornography

Simple possession carries a penalty up to 10 years in prison
Everything else is subject to a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. 
Possible $30,000 in fines
Register as a sex offender

Source: http://mobilemediaguard.com/states/sexting_laws_alabama.html

Preventing Substance Abuse in Trussville, Alabama

If you haven't already affiliated with the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC), you should.  Their number one goal is to prevent substance abuse in Central Alabama...our home, our community, our kids.

They have a fantastic website and social media presence.  I have been to a few of their meetings and they are very informative. The video below, is the latest in their series of informative videos.  I particularly wanted to share this video because this is an insiders view on substance abuse.  Jeff Bramer was a secret service agent who now practices law.  He shares his first hand stories on his experience with substance abuse in his career and life.

APC Difference Maker Series - Jeffrey Bramer
Jeff is a former Secret Service Agent turned Attorney who deals daily with folks in addiction. Watch as he sheds light on the situation at hand regarding substance abuse in Alabama. This is our first installment of the APC Difference Makers video series. Special thanks to Jeffrey Bramer and Lauren Sisler. Stay tuned for more episodes to come.
Posted by Addiction Prevention Coalition on Monday, June 29, 2015

Please consider watching the testimonial videos as well on their website.  

Talking to Your Children: Be Deliberate

I am a huge proponent of being proactive rather than reactive.  I remember when my son was very young and he was playing hide and go seek with some friends while I was setting up for an event at church.  It was a Saturday morning with very few people and we were on a single hall.  There were about 3 girls and 3 boys playing together.  I remember they couldn't find my son and I thought he had done a good job at hiding himself.  Finally, I had to go look for him.  I found him in the women's restroom.  I remember feeling embarrassed even though there were not many people there to even notice.  I remember thinking to myself that he should know it's not ok for a boy to enter a female only restroom.  Of course he had entered the restroom with me on many occasions in public places, but why did he not understand it wasn't ok without me?  It was in that moment I realized that I was going to have to be specific and not assume he knows these rules.  I had never taken the time to specifically say he should not ever enter a female only restroom alone. As a parent, there were things I just assumed my children would understand from just being present and experiencing life.

Many years later, I am still being very deliberate in talking with my children. I use real life scenarios that I read about in the news or come across in my own work to explain to them the dangers, consequences, and/ or risks associated with the scenarios. For example, I recently read a court case where a student was charged with drug possession because she let another student ride to school with her and he left his backpack in her car.  A routine search based on a tip led to the discovery of drugs in the backpack.  It was her car so she was found guilty of possession.  I used this scenario to talk to them about friend choices, risky behaviors, drug possession charges, and a host of other things that came from our conversation.  I hope this scenario will never become a reality for my children, but if it does, they will at least have some schema they can draw from and hopefully make good decisions.

I am urging you to not assume your children understand the unwritten rules. They can always learn them the hard way like the girl in the scenario above or we can create some "hooks" for which they can latch on to when the situation presents itself.

The group drugfree.org has created a free toolkit you can order for specifically talking to your child about marijuana.  41% of teen marijuana smokers say they began before the age of 15.  This drug is very available to children. It is important to talk to your child about the dangers of this drug.  This kit will help you understand and gain information to discuss marijuana with good reason and credibility. You can order the free toolkit here.

Inside the Marijuana Talk Kit, you will find:

• Facts about marijuana
• Why weed is still risky for teens
• Ways to talk with your teen about marijuana
• What you should - and shouldn't say - when talking with your teen
• How to respond to your teen’s questions and arguments
• Resources to help

The Marijuana Talk Kit will help you have meaningful, productive conversations with your teen.

Be deliberate. 

Do you know about Spice?

I'm not talking about your regular kitchen spice.  This is synthetic marijuana created in a basement, hotel room, car, etc... Why is it so dangerous?  Because there is no way to know the chemicals put in to the concoction.  That is based on who made it, and you will likely never know that information. When someone makes synthetic marijuana (K2, Spice, etc...), it can contain a vast range of different chemical formulations and potencies, some of which can be two to 500 times stronger than THC. Typically, these come in the form of bath salts or incense.

According to this article, the Alabama Department of Health has seen 932 emergency room cases in the last 45 days of people with synthetic use reactions. 196 have been hospitalized and 5 have died from overuse or reactions. Most people think they are smoking marijuana and do not realize it is synthetic and has been altered.  It causes the following symptoms/reaction: severe agitation and anxiety, racing heart beat, hallucinations and psychotic episodes. Experts say it is nothing like the effects of marijuana yet people assume the drugs are the same thing. One former user says drug addicts are always looking for the next high and often have no idea what they are smoking.

As we approach the summer, please know where your children are and what they are doing.  Talk to them about the dangers of taking a drink or a drug from someone.  It could easily be laced with something dangerous that could result in death.  

Trading Problems

An article released yesterday in the U.S. News & World Report, states that cigarette use has seen the largest decline among teens in the history of the study.  However, the use of e-cigarettes or vaping has tripled in one year according to the same study.

In essence, we have traded one problem for another.  Nicotine is nicotine no matter the mechanism you are using. Adolescence is a crucial time in brain development and nicotine exposure during this period can lead to harmful brain development issues, addiction issues, and sustained tobacco use.
You can read more on brain development here.

The report also states that vaping is becoming more prevalent in middle schools. Marketing for these products is targeted to the younger students and it is working.  It is attracting them younger and younger to begin nicotine use.

You can view this video for more information regarding the study.

YouNow

This new app on the market is all the craze with kids and teens.  YouNow is a live streaming app. That means your child can show the world what they are doing in real time.
For connecting with others around the world in a common space, that can be cool.  For example, if you are interested in writing music, you could live stream with others in that category and collaborate. If you were interested in dance, you could choreograph with others in real time around the world.
Or let's say you like watching teenagers sleep....yes, there is a group #sleepingsquad who keeps their live stream on while they sleep.  Who watches other people sleep? This guy does:
"Lately, I've been enjoying a deeply creepy yet technically totally innocent new activity: lying in bed at night and watching random teens sleep. I've been doing it on YouNow, a mobile app and web live-streaming app that’s a hit with teens. On its popular #sleepingsquad hashtag, I can see about 20 sleeping teens at any given time. (It usually seems around 50-plus people are broadcasting in the hashtag, but a lot of them are in complete darkness, so you can’t actually see anything. Because, you know, they’re sleeping.)"
Others say, teens are so addicted to the internet that they want to be "connected" while they sleep.

The other part of YouNow that is worrisome is the points system.  Instagram has "likes" and YouNow has a tipping system where you buy points (in app purchases) and then use them to "thumbs up" or get your comment to the top of a live stream feed.

There are as many categories as you can imagine and can create new ones.  The current trending tags are:

     

• #musicians
• #dance
• #dandanhestheman
• #guys
• #girls
• #bored
• #lgbt
• #alternative
• #singing
• #random

A recent #truthordare interaction yielded this conversation: 

Me: Let your mom pick all your clothes for a month or read all your texts for a week?
Teen girl: My mom actually has good style so I’d let her dress me.
Me: If you could have no homework for a year but you have to let your parent see all your texts for a month, would you do it?
Different teen girl: No, because I get some really weird texts from people on this thing.

As you can see, this could lead to more problematic behaviors and inappropriate scenarios. Predators love YouNow because in a live stream situation, you can see all sorts of clues that would give them a better idea of where your child lives, attends church or school, or when they are/are not at home.

You can read more on YouNow here and here.

As always, stay informed and be aware of what apps your children have on their devices.  Understand the potential dangers that are associated with each app.  

How Do I Look?

Did you know that body image develops at a very young age?  At the rate our children consume mainstream media, they are at a high risk for unhealthy body image issues. A recent study from Common Sense Media, reveals some of the key findings: (full report here)

1. Body dissatisfaction and related unhealthy behaviors are quite prevalent among children and teens in the U.S., while societal appearance ideals have become increasingly unrealistic. 
2. Body image is developed in early childhood, and even very young children exhibit body dissatisfaction.
3. Body image is learned, and formed from many different sources, of which media are only one. 
4. Traditional mainstream media contain unrealistic, idealized, sexualized, and stereotypical portrayals of body types.
5. Exposure to traditional media is a risk factor for developing body dissatisfaction.
6. Social media afford teens the capacity for immediate visual and verbal public judgement and comparison, which could affect body image. 
7. Presenting their self image in social media can shape teens' self esteem both positively and negatively.

The following infographic contains advice for parents and adults caring for children:

InsideOut

The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation was created to reduce the national dropout rate and increase the graduation rate. Dr. Shelly Stewart, son of the late Mattie C. Stewart, grew up in the segregated South.  He faced many hardships during his life including witnessing the murder of his mother at the hands of his abusive father.  In spite of his hardships, Dr. Stewart remains firm in what transformed his life...the gift of Reading.  His education and literacy saved him from a life of failure.  It is his intent, through the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation to promote literacy as an effort to keep children in school and out of trouble.
Inside Out is a video created by Dr. Stewart and is a powerful collection of stories
Since 2007, InsideOut has touched the lives of more than 15 million parents, teachers, students and communities throughout the United States and Canada. InsideOut is a powerful short film that presents a clear message to young people, inspiring students to see graduation as the doorway to the rest of their lives. In the film, inmates from two maximum-security prisons deliver their compelling stories directly to students ... from the InsideOut.
The Alabama State Department of Education has partnered with the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation as part of Plan 2020, a program to increase Alabama's graduation rate to 90% by 2020.
Trussville City Schools is creating opportunities for our 8th- high school students to view this powerful video.  You can watch the trailer here.  The entire video can not be shared due to copyright, but if you would like to view it, please email me to arrange the opportunity. mandi.logan@trussvillecityschools.com

 

Learn to Make Your Bed!

I recently saw this video of a commencement speech given at the University of Texas. Please take 19 minutes out of your day to view this. You will not regret it.  Our students need these guiding principles.  I believe we can all change the world for the better if we take these to heart and put them into practice.  I hope you enjoy it.

The Teenage Brain

I recently read a wonderful book, The Teenage Brain, by Frances E. Jensen, MD.  It was excellent!

I read this book because my first born just turned 13 years old this month and I'm already thinking, "Where did my compliant little fellow go?"  After reading this book, I know he's still there, but now I understand the physiological reason for his thinking and demeanor these days. 

I want to share some of my favorite takeaways with you:

• This is NOT a "how to" book but rather a "here's why" book. 
• The brain is the last organ to fully mature and that could take into the mid 20's.
• The teenage brain is at peak efficiency during this time: it is one of the best times to learn
• So if the brain is at it's best, why do they act like they do not have a brain?  This is because the pre- frontal and frontal lobes are not fully connected with the other parts of the brain just yet and executive functions are happening in this front part.  So while the brain is all ready for learning, the frontal lobe is responsible for insight, judgement, impulse control, empathy, etc...and teenagers do not have full access to these.  Dr. Jensen says it so well, " So we have a very active brain, on one hand, able to learn, but it's being driven by a driver who doesn't really have full access to the brakes yet." 
• Teenagers are more likely to become addicted to something during their teenage years because addiction is a form of learning and the brain is primed for learning.  Addiction is a lot like memory in that it is viewed in the brain as repeated exposure to something.  At this age, the brain cannot decipher good from bad as far as learning goes....it just leaves the imprint.  Because the  brain is primed for learning, it becomes addicted faster, longer, harder and stronger.  This could be addiction to a substance, a routine, or something visual like pornography. 
• Sleep is the glue that helps us remember everything we have learned during the day.  Teenage sleep cycles are such that the brain wants to shut off late at night and wake again mid morning. They are not just lazy, they need their glue to spread. 
• Female and Male teenage brains are very different.  Female brains peak around 12-14 years of age and Male brains are 2 years behind, 14-16ish.  So in general, females can navigate better through complex scheduling type activities whereas planning is not a relative strength for teenage males. 
• As parents, we need to stay connected, be more patient, and create stable environments for our teenagers. 

No matter where you are in the parenting stage of life, you MUST read this book!!! This book is for everyone:

• New Parents: read it to be proactive and prepared
• Parents of Pre-Teens: read it, but buckle your seat belt first!!! You are so close to this stage.
• Parents of Teenagers: It's not too late. Read and be affirmed you are not alone.  Learn some strategies to help you in your present situation.
• Parents of College and Career aged children:  Did you know there may be a second phase of this "teenage like" behavior?  It does not happen to every person, but it may help you during this phase.  
• Empty Nester: You survived, but you can help others by sharing your knowledge from this book and what you might have done differently if you had read this book first.  
• Grandparents: Read this to gain knowledge about your grandchildren and share this information with your grown children.

If you are interested in checking out a copy of this book, please contact me: mandi.logan@trussvillecityschools.com

The Dangers of Vaping

By now you have probably seen someone "vaping".  Vaping is the utilization of E-Cigarettes.  They use cartridges filled with liquid inserted into the device. The device heats up the liquid and you inhale a vapor from this process.  Instead of inhaling smoke, you inhale vapor.  

Why is this so appealing to teens?  E-cigarettes are marketed as a healthy alternative to regular smoking and as an easy smoking cessation tool.  It has taken off in popularity so much that it is now a $3 billion dollar business annually.  

So what is so dangerous about this?  No matter what you call this new trend, it still delivers a very addictive substance, nicotine.  Nicotine has been categorized as the gateway to other drug use when used as a teen.  Another danger is that liquid forms of other drugs could be used in the E-cigarette in order to get high.  I do not need to explain the legalities and danger of this practice.

This article has good information on what parents should know about vaping and provides a good video link  about the teenage mindset towards vaping. 

As parents and guardians, be informed to help educate yourself and your child about potential dangers with this trend. 

Source: Kristin Licciardi Teenlife.com