As if the idea of teen cyberbullying isn’t harrowing enough, a new study warns of a strange twist in which kids anonymously post hurtful messages — to themselves. The worry is that this digital self-harm — like traditional self-harm — may be a harbinger for suicide down the road, the study authors said. In the… read on >
Caring for a child with cancer can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. The Children’s Oncology Group says the best thing such a parent can do is to accept help from friends and family. The group mentions these benefits of doing so: You will have more energy to take care of your child, spend time with… read on >
The last place you should fear getting sick is in a doctor’s waiting room. The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its guidelines for pediatricians to prevent the spread of germs. The group says all pediatric medical offices should: Equip waiting rooms with alcohol-based hand sanitizers and masks. Put up visual reminders for kids and… read on >
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, texting: Sometimes it seems today’s young adults are online more often than not. But new research suggests that the amount of time young adults spend on social media doesn’t seem to affect their risk for mental health problems. The finding came from a study of 467 young adults who were asked about… read on >
Sibling rivalry — the jealousy and competition between your children — can start even before baby number two is born, according to experts at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital of Michigan Medicine. How siblings relate to each other and to parents can change as they go through the stages of childhood. Toddlers starting to assert… read on >
The American dream of success is a lot harder to attain for teenagers who use pot and alcohol, especially if they become substance abusers, a new study reports. Teen pot smokers and drinkers struggle to achieve some of the hallmarks of adult success, including obtaining a college degree, getting married, holding down a full-time job… read on >
Today’s American teens are smoking less than ever, and the trend may be keeping many from smoking pot, too. That’s the finding of a new study that tracked more than 1 million teens from 1991 to 2016. But the news wasn’t all good, the researchers said. Kids who think marijuana is “safe” are more likely… read on >
Fun, decorative drinking glasses may contain potentially harmful levels of lead and cadmium, a new British study says. University of Plymouth researchers analyzed 72 new and second-hand decorated drinking glasses, including tumblers, beer and wine glasses, and jars. Around 7 out of 10 tested positive for lead or cadmium, both toxic metals. Lead was found… read on >
The number of food ads targeting American children has declined, but most of the ads they do see are for unhealthy foods, a new study finds. Under a voluntary initiative launched in 2007, major food and beverage companies agreed to reduce unhealthy product advertising to children younger than 12. The study found, though, that children… read on >
Can caffeine help people with chronic kidney disease live longer? That’s the suggestion of a new study that found that among more than 2,300 Americans with chronic kidney disease, those who drank the most caffeinated drinks reduced their risk of premature death by 24 percent. “Our study showed a dose-dependent protective effect of caffeine consumption… read on >
