Viral Kindness: We Are All Daniel Cui
Watch "We Are All Daniel Cui," which shows how more than 100 students at Hillsborough High School in Northern California defeated cyberbullying by swamping it with support for soccer goalie Daniel Cui, after somebody in his school created a "Worst Goalie Ever" page. The video very clearly shows how positive, rather than negative change can happen through "spreadable media".
Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts
"Stop the madness for the constant group work... There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas". This is a brilliant presentation with implications for both the classroom and the workplace. See it!
And once you have viewed this we urge you to take two extra minutes for this.
Facebook Stories
The video above is part of Facebook Stories, a new feature that presents extraordinary stories about people using that medium. Facebook will be posting a new video story every month representing a theme. August's was "Remembering" about a man in New Delhi who lost his memory and got it back again with the help of friends he reached out to through the site. Users can submit their own stories, too, in any medium they choose - text, photo, video - or with mixed media.
Canada's Record on Children's Rights
The recent review of Canada's record on children's rights resulted in a large number of recommendations for Canada. A call to action on those recommendations has been has been prepared by the Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children and can be found here. The CCRC Annual Meeting takes place on November 23.
Study: Only Rarely is Cyberbullying a Sole Factor in Teen Suicide
A just-released study from the American Academy of Paediatrics found that cyberbullying is "only rarely the sole factor identified in teen suicides." The study's author, John LeBlanc, MD, was quoted in the press release as saying that "cyberbullying is a factor in some suicides, but almost always there are other factors such as mental illness or face-to-face bullying."
Study: Gay Foster Parents No Less Effective
A new study finds that same sex couples are just as effective at raising foster children as heterosexual couples. Over two years, the children in the study all progressed at the same rate in terms of cognitive development and behavioural problems.
Cat's Climbing
We're not that into cat video's either but this does have its seriously funny moments.
Something somewhere is waiting to be known...
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Absolutely Brilliant: Youngest Published Scientists in the World
This is one of the most amazing (standing ovation) TED talks you will watch in a long time. 12 year old Amy O'Toole, who, along with with 25 of her classmates, published the first peer-reviewed article by schoolchildren, about the Blackawton bees project. It starts "Once upon a time..." Watch an effective teacher at work.
Government to Fund Study of Youth Sex Habits
The federal government is spending up to $250 000 to study the sex habits of Canadian youth. The surgery will examine the behaviour of 9 000 young adults ages 18 to 24 across the country, questioning them on everything from the age they first had sexual intercourse to their use of condoms and experiences with sexual coercion or homophobic bullying.
This Kid is Amazing
He is twelve, multi talented and oh so cool. Check out the wardrobe! You saw him here first.
Study: Cyberbullying-linked Suicides Rising
there have been 41 suicides since 2003 involving cyberbullying in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, but most of the victims were also bullied in school and many suffered from mental illness, including depression, said John C. LeBlanc, a professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax who conducted the research.
Children's Commissioner: Bill C-420 Vote on November 5
Bill C-420 is a private member's bill to establish a National Children's Commissioner. It will be debated again on November 5. A vote could send the bill to committee or kill it. Children's advocates are encouraging members of parliament from all parties to support referral to a committee so the proposal can be studied in more detail. For more:
The Best Photographs Taken By Kids Around the World
These are the winning photographs from the Children's Eyes on Earth International Youth Photography Contest, a competition designed to raise environmental awareness while giving budding artists a chance to share their visions with the world.
Obesity Three Times Higher Among Canadians Boys Than Girls
Canadian boys are three times more likely than girls to be obese, according to new research that is exposing alarming and lopsided gender differences in the nation's childhood obesity rates. A new Statistics Canada Report find that 19.5 % of boys ages 5 to 11 years are obese, compared to 6.3% of girls of the same ages.
Expert: Internet Use May Need to be Licensed
An internationally know advocate for child victims of online luring says licensing internet users is an effective way to protect children from pedophiles and child sex abusers who prowl the net for victims like Amanda Todd. Roz Prober from Beyond Borders was responding to findings that cyber stalkers, like the kind who hounded a 15-year-old girl to suicide, use flattery and strong-arm tactics to exploit kids for sex.
This is one of the most amazing (standing ovation) TED talks you will watch in a long time. 12 year old Amy O'Toole, who, along with with 25 of her classmates, published the first peer-reviewed article by schoolchildren, about the Blackawton bees project. It starts "Once upon a time..." Watch an effective teacher at work.
Government to Fund Study of Youth Sex Habits
The federal government is spending up to $250 000 to study the sex habits of Canadian youth. The surgery will examine the behaviour of 9 000 young adults ages 18 to 24 across the country, questioning them on everything from the age they first had sexual intercourse to their use of condoms and experiences with sexual coercion or homophobic bullying.
This Kid is Amazing
He is twelve, multi talented and oh so cool. Check out the wardrobe! You saw him here first.
Study: Cyberbullying-linked Suicides Rising
there have been 41 suicides since 2003 involving cyberbullying in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, but most of the victims were also bullied in school and many suffered from mental illness, including depression, said John C. LeBlanc, a professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax who conducted the research.
Children's Commissioner: Bill C-420 Vote on November 5
Bill C-420 is a private member's bill to establish a National Children's Commissioner. It will be debated again on November 5. A vote could send the bill to committee or kill it. Children's advocates are encouraging members of parliament from all parties to support referral to a committee so the proposal can be studied in more detail. For more:
The Best Photographs Taken By Kids Around the World
These are the winning photographs from the Children's Eyes on Earth International Youth Photography Contest, a competition designed to raise environmental awareness while giving budding artists a chance to share their visions with the world.
Obesity Three Times Higher Among Canadians Boys Than Girls
Canadian boys are three times more likely than girls to be obese, according to new research that is exposing alarming and lopsided gender differences in the nation's childhood obesity rates. A new Statistics Canada Report find that 19.5 % of boys ages 5 to 11 years are obese, compared to 6.3% of girls of the same ages.
Expert: Internet Use May Need to be Licensed
An internationally know advocate for child victims of online luring says licensing internet users is an effective way to protect children from pedophiles and child sex abusers who prowl the net for victims like Amanda Todd. Roz Prober from Beyond Borders was responding to findings that cyber stalkers, like the kind who hounded a 15-year-old girl to suicide, use flattery and strong-arm tactics to exploit kids for sex.
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Awful Truth about Social Programs
The controversial Margaret Wente gets it right in her Saturday Globe column. "The evidence to date - such as it is - suggests that many, perhaps most, social programs do not make a difference, except to the legions of administrators and social workers who are directly and indirectly employed in delivering them". Read article (please).
German Children Get Their Own Newspaper
Newspapers may be dying out elsewhere, but in Germany broadsheets still enjoy substantial readership. A new publication has decided to invest in keeping it that way, targeting children to cultivate the readers of tomorrow. But it's a difficult market that requires pleasing both kids and their parents.
UN slams Canada's Excessively Punitive Justice Plan, Accuses Authorities of Widespread Discrimination.
The federal government's tough-on-crime agenda is "excessively punitive" for youth and is a step backwards for Canada's child rights record, says a United Nations group. The UN committee on the rights of the child has finished a 10 year review of how Canada treats its children and how well governments are implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Read More.
With Reference to Amanda Todd
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has received 3 000 complaints in the past five years from British Columbians regarding the online sexual exploitation of children. "These complaints have come from parents or children themselves - about fiver per cent of complaints are from children," said Signy Arnason, director of Cybertip.ca which is operated by the Winnipeg-based Canadian Centre for Children. Read More.
Sneezing Twins
Babies mimicking Dad. Very cute!
'Striking Mom' Jessica Stillwell of Alberta Drawing International Media Attention From Her Blog
Jessica Stillwell, a busy Calgary mom, was tired of cleaning up after three daughters. So she threw in the towel. She stopped playing maid for her children, twins aged 12 and a 10-year-old. and did what any disgruntled worker might do. "I went on strike," she said in an interview this past week.
Does Living in a Nicer Neighbourhood Affect the Mental Health of At-Risk Youth?
When it comes to nature versus nurture, researchers are betting on nurture in regards to whether moving children from high to low poverty neighbourhoods positively affects mental health.
The controversial Margaret Wente gets it right in her Saturday Globe column. "The evidence to date - such as it is - suggests that many, perhaps most, social programs do not make a difference, except to the legions of administrators and social workers who are directly and indirectly employed in delivering them". Read article (please).
German Children Get Their Own Newspaper
Newspapers may be dying out elsewhere, but in Germany broadsheets still enjoy substantial readership. A new publication has decided to invest in keeping it that way, targeting children to cultivate the readers of tomorrow. But it's a difficult market that requires pleasing both kids and their parents.
UN slams Canada's Excessively Punitive Justice Plan, Accuses Authorities of Widespread Discrimination.
The federal government's tough-on-crime agenda is "excessively punitive" for youth and is a step backwards for Canada's child rights record, says a United Nations group. The UN committee on the rights of the child has finished a 10 year review of how Canada treats its children and how well governments are implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Read More.
With Reference to Amanda Todd
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has received 3 000 complaints in the past five years from British Columbians regarding the online sexual exploitation of children. "These complaints have come from parents or children themselves - about fiver per cent of complaints are from children," said Signy Arnason, director of Cybertip.ca which is operated by the Winnipeg-based Canadian Centre for Children. Read More.
Sneezing Twins
Babies mimicking Dad. Very cute!
'Striking Mom' Jessica Stillwell of Alberta Drawing International Media Attention From Her Blog
Jessica Stillwell, a busy Calgary mom, was tired of cleaning up after three daughters. So she threw in the towel. She stopped playing maid for her children, twins aged 12 and a 10-year-old. and did what any disgruntled worker might do. "I went on strike," she said in an interview this past week.
Does Living in a Nicer Neighbourhood Affect the Mental Health of At-Risk Youth?
When it comes to nature versus nurture, researchers are betting on nurture in regards to whether moving children from high to low poverty neighbourhoods positively affects mental health.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Canada's Young Face Shifting Social Landscape
Vital signs report offers a snapshot of changing transitions. Read More.
The Word 'Faggot' Has been Used in 2.4 million Tweets Since July
New website NoHomophobes.com keeps live tally of homophobic language on Twitter.
Ottawa Spends $3 Million to Battle Native Child Welfare Case
The federal government has been billed more than $3 Million for its unsuccessful attempts to keep a high-stakes battle over first nations child welfare out of the courts.
This Has Nothing To Do With Kids
But we are suckers for the Antique Road Show and this is priceless - pun unintended.
Fat-rich 'cafeteria diets' Setting Canada's Youth Up For Premature Strokes
Junk food diets are leading to middle-age diseases in children and setting them up for potential strokes when they're in their 30's and 40's. What's more, the ongoing research suggests junk-food diets may alter the brain's anatomy, prematurely aging and damaging the network of blood vessels that supply it with oxygen.
Who Says Young Canadians are Disengaged, Apathetic, not Voting?
Brigette DePage, best known as the "rogue page," James Biggar, executive director of LeadNow.ca, climate justice organizer Ben Powless and Emma Pullman, political campaigner with sumofus.org are part of what the Ottawa- based Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calls "Generation Now" - and they're the stars of the progressive think tank's annual David Lewis Lecture.
Autistic 10-year-old Ballerina Becomes a YouTube Phenom
Clara Bergs, 10, who is autistic, dances the lead performance from the ballet Coppelia, which she has memorized from watching videos. Watch here.
And Speaking of Talent
Diana is 10 and demonstrates some real style!
Vital signs report offers a snapshot of changing transitions. Read More.
The Word 'Faggot' Has been Used in 2.4 million Tweets Since July
New website NoHomophobes.com keeps live tally of homophobic language on Twitter.
Ottawa Spends $3 Million to Battle Native Child Welfare Case
The federal government has been billed more than $3 Million for its unsuccessful attempts to keep a high-stakes battle over first nations child welfare out of the courts.
This Has Nothing To Do With Kids
But we are suckers for the Antique Road Show and this is priceless - pun unintended.
Fat-rich 'cafeteria diets' Setting Canada's Youth Up For Premature Strokes
Junk food diets are leading to middle-age diseases in children and setting them up for potential strokes when they're in their 30's and 40's. What's more, the ongoing research suggests junk-food diets may alter the brain's anatomy, prematurely aging and damaging the network of blood vessels that supply it with oxygen.
Who Says Young Canadians are Disengaged, Apathetic, not Voting?
Brigette DePage, best known as the "rogue page," James Biggar, executive director of LeadNow.ca, climate justice organizer Ben Powless and Emma Pullman, political campaigner with sumofus.org are part of what the Ottawa- based Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calls "Generation Now" - and they're the stars of the progressive think tank's annual David Lewis Lecture.
Autistic 10-year-old Ballerina Becomes a YouTube Phenom
Clara Bergs, 10, who is autistic, dances the lead performance from the ballet Coppelia, which she has memorized from watching videos. Watch here.
And Speaking of Talent
Diana is 10 and demonstrates some real style!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
If This Doesn't Inspire...Nothing Will
A homeless 13 year old boy wins $130,000 peace prize for helping other homeless kids. Video 1 is here - the young man's acceptance speech made at The Hague on September 19th is here.
United Nations Tells Canada It Needs To Take Better Care of Its Vulnerable Children
In hearings in Geneva to examine Canada's adherence to the Conventions on the Rights of the Child, Ottawa was repeatedly taken to task for incoherence about how federal and provincial programs actually help kids. Read More.
New Anti-Obesity Ads Blaming Overweight Parents Sparks Criticism
Educating or shaming..."It's Hard Enough to Be a Fat Kid Without the Government Telling You You're an Epidemic" Read article and watch video.
If You Have a Brother - Even if You Don't
This might make you weep.
Supreme Court Decides Girl Can Proceed with Anonymous Facebook Bullying Lawsuit
In spite of long-held open court principles, the Supreme Court says a 15 year old girl can proceed with an anonymous cyber bullying lawsuit. The Court said failing to protect young victims from the "psychological toxicity" of such intimidation would be far more harmful than allowing the minimal encroachment on other rights by masking her identity.
The Mysterious Workings of the Adolescent Brain
Why do teenagers seem so much more impulsive, so much less self-aware than grown-ups? Cognitive neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore compares the prefrontal cortex in adolescents to that of adults, to show us how typically "teenage" behaviour is caused by the growing and developing brain. Fascinating short video.
Study Links chemical BPA to Obesity in Children, Teens
Kids with higher levels of the widely used substance BPA in their bodies are more likely to be obese, according to the first large-scale, nationally representative study to link an environmental chemical with obesity in children and teens. Read More.
In Age of Bullying, Special Needs Student Elected Prom King
Scott Shaver was recently crowned prom king at his high school. What is special and inspiring about his crowning is that it marks the extent to which a young man with autism has been embraced by his "regular education" classmates.
A homeless 13 year old boy wins $130,000 peace prize for helping other homeless kids. Video 1 is here - the young man's acceptance speech made at The Hague on September 19th is here.
United Nations Tells Canada It Needs To Take Better Care of Its Vulnerable Children
In hearings in Geneva to examine Canada's adherence to the Conventions on the Rights of the Child, Ottawa was repeatedly taken to task for incoherence about how federal and provincial programs actually help kids. Read More.
New Anti-Obesity Ads Blaming Overweight Parents Sparks Criticism
Educating or shaming..."It's Hard Enough to Be a Fat Kid Without the Government Telling You You're an Epidemic" Read article and watch video.
If You Have a Brother - Even if You Don't
This might make you weep.
Supreme Court Decides Girl Can Proceed with Anonymous Facebook Bullying Lawsuit
In spite of long-held open court principles, the Supreme Court says a 15 year old girl can proceed with an anonymous cyber bullying lawsuit. The Court said failing to protect young victims from the "psychological toxicity" of such intimidation would be far more harmful than allowing the minimal encroachment on other rights by masking her identity.
The Mysterious Workings of the Adolescent Brain
Why do teenagers seem so much more impulsive, so much less self-aware than grown-ups? Cognitive neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore compares the prefrontal cortex in adolescents to that of adults, to show us how typically "teenage" behaviour is caused by the growing and developing brain. Fascinating short video.
Study Links chemical BPA to Obesity in Children, Teens
Kids with higher levels of the widely used substance BPA in their bodies are more likely to be obese, according to the first large-scale, nationally representative study to link an environmental chemical with obesity in children and teens. Read More.
In Age of Bullying, Special Needs Student Elected Prom King
Scott Shaver was recently crowned prom king at his high school. What is special and inspiring about his crowning is that it marks the extent to which a young man with autism has been embraced by his "regular education" classmates.
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