Here is a quick look at some headlines from this week impacting the lives of kids 0-5 and their families. The purpose of these stories is simply to inform, and they do not necessarily reflect First 5 Kern's areas of support or efforts towards these issues.
Follow First 5 Kern on social media for more kid-centric information.
Now for the headlines........
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YOUTUBE'S VIOLATION OF CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
Much has been made about YouTube's $170 million fine for violating children's privacy online
.
CNET explains some of the network's difficulties in managing kids' content,
and it's important to note that YouTube's issues are about a lot more than just tracking kids' videos, geotargeting ads, and recording their IP addresses. They also found posts in the comment sections of kid-friendly videos featuring pornographic links and other questionable content.
While the fine was steep in real terms, in respect to YouTube's estimated $12 billion in revenues they earn annually, the penalty is roughly the equivalent of an average person paying a $500 fine.
Elsewhere on YouTube, the top-earning "YouTuber" - a 7-year old whose channel, Ryan ToysReview, raked in an estimated $22M
last year -
has come under fire for deceptive
advertising. The accusation is that their disclaimers about sponsored content are not done overtly enough for the target audience of young children to understand they are essentially just watching a commercial.
RELATED: This WIRED article talks to several lawmakers about the process of trying to protect children
in
an increasingly technologically-connected world
.
“...by the time my kids are 20, think about the amount of information about them that will be just out there and available, getting sold by data brokers,” declared one lawmaker.
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HEALTH AND FINANCES: TWO QUICK LISTS WITH ADVICE FOR NEW PARENTS
What do you do when your child has a persistent cough but is too young
for cough medicine? This
article from MedicalNewsToday.com pinpoints four
easy home remedies that may work. And as always, consult your child's pediatrician before trying anything.
Kids are expensive, but that doesn't mean you can't find smart ways to provide for them
and watch your money at the same time. USA Today's
"4 money mistakes new parents make"
is a helpful quick guide on some key money mistakes you should avoid when having a baby.
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LEARNING HOW TODDLERS LEARN LANGUAGE
You can probably understand your child's toddler-speak better than other adults do.
But do toddlers understand other toddlers who are also learning to speak? Probably not, according to new research on word formation and the developing mind.
This Medical Xpress article explains
how learning a language as a toddler is more complicated than you might think.
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POSITIVE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES COULD LEAD TO HEALTHIER ADULTS
Researchers have long known that ACEs - or Adverse Childhood Experiences - can have lifelong negative effects
on physical and mental health. However, some individuals with multiple ACEs thrive while others do not.
But a recent study has shown
that
positive
childhood experiences could be a significant health factor later in life, perhaps even trumping the deleterious effects of ACEs.
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BREASTFEEDING COULD HELP PREVENT CHILDHOOD OBESITY... AND THEN SUGAR RUINS IT
A cohort of mostly Hispanic children exposed to gestational diabetes in utero who were exclusively breastfed
were 44% less likely to develop obesity when compared with similar children who were not exclusively breastfed,
according to a study in Healio
.
The article explains, however, that even children who were breastfed exclusively appear to have had those benefits thwarted by later consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in their early years.
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ADDITIONAL STORIES FROM THIS WEEK...
Walter is 5-years old. He is a shy child, getting ready to start kindergarten. Is there a right way
for his parents to let him struggle and fail occasionally so that he learns how to handle stress and become resilient?
Slate has an interesting podcast on how
Walter's parents can address this, while also talking the concerns that parents have raising kids today. It's guaranteed to strike a chord with any parent.
The Orange-Osceola County Juvenile Court has employed a unique method of putting children at ease
when they have to take the stand.
The organization offers therapy animals
to children testifying in civil and criminal court proceedings, and the therapy dogs will sit at the child's feet throughout their testimony.
Women use a range of techniques to try managing pain whil
e experiencing a drug-free childbirth
: w
ater, medication, music—but what about virtual reality? A recent study in Australia
tried it out and found positive results
. The study found that nine out of the ten women enjoyed the experience and would use it again or recommend it to a friend
.
If you are expecting, or have a newborn already, and will eventually need childcare, you can heed
this columnists advice. Her article,
"I should have listened to my pediatrician"
is a warning to plan ahead, while also giving young parents some surprising insight into the world of childcare facilities.
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First 5 Kern was established in 1998 when California voters passed Proposition 10, which levied a 50-cent tax on tobacco products. Revenues generated from the tobacco tax are used to fund local programs in the areas of health and wellness, early childcare and education, and parent education and support services that promote early childhood development for children ages zero to five.
For more information on First 5 Kern and the agencies we support, please visit
www.First5Kern.org
and follow us on social media.
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Special thanks to
Vecteezy
for assistance on graphics
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