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Sunday, November 13, 2011

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Hear 7 year old Adam speak the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - a short animated video from the Children's Rights Alliance (www.childrensrights.ie on the (UNCRC).

Teen Sexting Linked to Psychological Distress

Teens involved in sexting are not only more likely to report a suicide attempt, they also have twice the odds of reporting depressive symptoms.

Online Bullying: Still Way Less Common than in Real Life

A just released study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that "69% of social media-using teens think that peers are mostly kind to each other on social networking sites."

Rick's Rant

For those who haven't had the opportunity to see Rick Mercer's rant on teen suicide.

US: Number of Gay Couples Who Adopt Nearly Tripled Over the Last 10 Years

The number of gays adopting children in the United States nearly tripled in the last decade, in part due to lessened restrictions and increased social acceptability, according to a report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.  About 21 740 same-sex couples adopted children in 2009, which was an enormous jump from 6,4777 in 2000, the report said.

My Friend Jason

"Live simply so others people can simply live." A simple and beautiful video.

Skype Postpones Sweet Sorrow

"We would usually Skype for about three hours a day," said Ms. Brown of the couples first months apart.  Once, she said, they both fell asleep on their beds next to their computers. "At one point I just listened to him sleep," she said.

Laughing Llamas

It's only 30 seconds...30 very funny seconds!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Dieppe

Thirty seconds and it requires no explanation.

Love is Louder - Kid's Voices

A simple and short poignant video made and presented by young people.

Children's Rights: New Report

The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children has just released its monitoring report about child right. After three years of work involving advocates, organizations and young people across the country.  It is an informative document about the situation of children in the country.  It's an interesting read.

Alberta's Youth and Child Advocate to Get Greater Independence

Following a disturbing number of deaths and injuries in government care, the Redford government is moving to give the province's child and youth advocate greater autonomy to speak out for Alberta's most vulnerable.  Read more here.

Britain's Children: Breaking with UN Convention

It has been three years since the UK was admonished for failing to comply with its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  The UN Committee responsible for the convention recommended that the UK government take 'urgent measures' to address a 'general climate of intolerance and negative public attitudes towards children, especially adolescents'.  Yet it is fair to say that, since then,  the UK has failed to act on the Committee's concerns.  Read More here.

Almost Half of all Britons Think Children are Becoming 'Feral"

British adults are turning their backs on children and young people and see them as violent animals who are beyond help, according to children's charity Barnardos. Here is the article.

Solving America's Teen Sex Problem

The Dutch have dramatically reduced adolescent pregnancies, abortions and STDs.  What do they know that we don't?

I Was a Drunk Mom

After my son was born, I told myself I was just trying to unwind.  But the truth was much darker than that.  Read full story here.

Welcome to Kitty City

Clever and very weird!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Taxing The Kindness of Strangers

An excellent article from the Washington Post about foster care.

Left Brian - Right Brain

Iain McGilchrist explores the differences between the left and right halves of the human brain.  It's not simply "emotion on the right, reason on the left..." Highly recommended!

Slam!

"Letter to My 16 Year-old Self" by George Watsky: Brilliant!

Letter to a Nation

Canadian song writer, performer and advocate Raffi recorded "Letter To a Nation" a tribute to Jack Layton, on Salt Spring Island where Raffi lives.  After sharing the song demo with Olivia Chow (Layton's wife), she gave the song her blessing and expressed her support for it's sharing.  Check it out at Raffi's Child Honouring website.

Kid Videos That Go Viral

Getting rich of your kids yet?  No?  Maybe it's time to set up that YouTube account.

Not Sure What This Does to His Teeth!

7 year-old Nana Kyel demonstrates why he's known as "Mr. Rhythm Machine" in his native Ghana.

Trick or Treat

Spotted yesterday, a cool chinchilla tank!

Monday, October 24, 2011

I Support You

This is an excellent and courageous video by an Ottawa student relating to the suicide of Jamie Hubley.

TV Time Discouraged for Kids Under 2

Parents should limit children under the age of two from watching TV, say paediatricians who advise against having it on in the background.  See full article.

Meet The Boy the Bullies Broke - Heather Mallick

Jamie was only 15, which is why I'm journalist ethics-wise allowed to refer to him by his first name, as if her were a friend of mine.  And how I wish he had been.  This kid could have helped my sadness, I could have helped his, he would have brought credit and affection and candour to everyone who knew him, but now he's dead, no chance now.  See the full article.

Foster Child Suicide Decreases With Time

A study by researchers at the University of Manitoba suggests that foster children are much more likely to commit suicide than other kids, but that likelihood decreases as they spend time in care.

Falling with Style...

If you like adventure...Cool video with music from AWOLNATION

Sesame Street Takes on Bullying

It's not just a 'bandwagon' effort and it works on many levels.  This is the program that had to be temporarily taken down due to hacking.  The "Shaping Youth" website is also excellent.

Metropolis - A New York Timelapse

Watch this in full screen if you can - Breathtaking!  YOu might also like the soundtrack.

Monday, October 17, 2011

The Unicorn

Such a beautiful film...No more than 6 lines of script or 3 minutes was the rule of the contest.

Time to End the Slut Wars

SlutWalk is a worldwide grassroots movement challenging rape culture, victim-blaming and working to end sexual violence.  It started in January 2011, when a Toronto cop warned students that to avoid getting raped they shouldn't dress like sluts.

Teenagers Want to Have More Say in the Content of Sex Education

A poll of 2 000 14 to 18 year olds found 78% did not have the chance to influence the content of these lessons, but 72% thought they should. Here is the report.

Is the UN Ready for Serious Youth Involvement?

We feel that they never moved beyond the rhetoric.  Indeed this item could have been written ten years ago!

Native Youth Suicide Rates Prompt Former Lieutenant Governor to Write Novel.

"One 12 or 13 year old girl hanged herself in a tree outside of the school so the other students could see her when they came into the school in the morning.  It was part of a suicide pact with two other kids."
Here's the link.

Back to the Start...Cultivate a Better World

Clever marketing or a company with a social conscience?  See Video.

The Blind cat and the Hair Dryer

Such determination!

And While on the Subject...

No one believed her so she filmed it!

Monday, October 10, 2011

About Half of Grade 12 Students Admit to Drinking in Excess, Driving Intoxicated

Authors of the Cross Canada Report on student alcohol and drug use, released Monday, are sounding the alarm about the prevalence of alcohol and cannabis use among students in Grades 10-12.

No Place For Kids

The evidence presented in this (highly recommended Annie E. Casey Foundation) report makes clear that, except in cases where juvenile offenders have committed serious crimes and pose a clear and present danger to society, removing troubled and delinquent young people from their homes and families is expensive and often unnecessary-with results no better (and often far worse) on average than community-based supervision and treatment.

Time Waster

This is hard to describe but it's quite amazing.  Check it out.

National Geographic on Teenage Brains

Moody.  Impulsive.  Maddening.  Why do teenagers act the way they do?  Viewed through the eyes of evolution, their most exasperating traits may be the key to success as adults.  Excellent item!

Why Are Suicide Attempts so High Among LGB Teens?

In a review of 100 studies, a recent publication concluded that the high rates of suicidal behaviour among LGB teens was not directly related to their sexual orientation but rather the discrimination and alienation they experience from their community.  Read article.

Sesame Street's Newest Muppet is Poor and Hungry

Iconic children's show Sesame Street has introduced a new character so young people can learn about the issues of poverty and hunger.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Canada: Remote Reserve Plagued by Epidemic of Youth Suicides

This summer the community of Pikangikum had it's sixth suicide within a span of two months.  Burying the young has become far too come in Pikangikum, a remote community of 2 400, where more than 60 teenagers have committed suicide in the past decade.  Read article.

Children Are Unhappy Because Their Parents are too

UNICEF has this week published a report that warns of ailing childhoods.  Children, starved of time by busy, working parents, are lavished with material possessions instead, which don't make them happy.

Gender ID & Teens:  The Freedom to Choose Your Pronoun

PGP's...Teenagers are by nature prone to rebellion against adult conventions...the gender nonconformity movement gains momentum among young people, "it is about rejecting the boxes adults try to put kids in by assuming their sexual identity labels their personal identity.  See this article.

Cure Kids of Nature Deficit Disorder

David Suzuki writes in Huffington Post about a school with a difference in British Columbia.


The Living Bridge

One of our subscribers recommends the short epic video about the living bridges (sometimes knows as root bridges) of Meghalaya in the state of India.  It's all about working with nature to combat nature's forces.  Thanks Pam.

Aviva Community Fund Now Accepting Proposals

The Aviva Community Fund is not accepting proposals in its 3rd annual competition for community initiatives.  For more information and to make an application follow this link.

National Commission on Community Health and Social Services.

The Canadian Council on Social Development and participating organizations, are considering the need for a National Commission on services for people who need the support of their community (including both publicly-mandated and community mandated services).  The Commission is seeking the help of individuals and organizations across the country.

Stick Man

It's a time waster but such fun - try it!