# data[].attributes.headline
Alternative bias, Extreme ports debates of debatable topics- Lucian J. Scouler B)

# data[].attributes.subject
Alternative bias, Extreme ports debates of debatable topics- Lucian J. Scouler B)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
national center for biotechnology information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
PubMed® comprises more than 36 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

# data[].attributes.headline
Extreme sports are not too dangerous (Bias to other side of argument)- Lucian J. Scouler B)

# data[].attributes.subject
Extreme sports are not too dangerous (Bias to other side of argument)- Lucian J. Scouler B)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Do you love to play sports? For many kids, there's nothing quite like the exercise and camaraderie you get from being part of a . Whether it's baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, or volleyball, there is fun to be had on a or a court near you.

Some athletes take things to the next , though. Rather than playing traditional sports as part of a , they strike out on their own to in sports that provide a satisfying of adrenaline . No, we're not talking about bowling or jogging. We're talking about extreme sports!

There's no set definition of what makes a sport extreme. For the most part, though, extreme sports are individual athletic activities that are inherently dangerous in some way. Most extreme sports also provide athletes with what drives many of them to take the of participation: a of adrenaline that makes them feel more alive than they've ever been.

Although not a comprehensive list, here are several examples of the types of activities most people consider to be extreme sports: skateboarding, surfing, bungee jumping, snowboarding, whitewater kayaking, mountain climbing, ice climbing, BASE jumping, heli-skiing, BMX biking, bull riding, cliff diving, mountain biking, cave diving, ski jumping, speed skiing, and street luging.

Just thinking about many of those activities is enough to give most people goose bumps. That very feeling of and is what drives many extreme sports athletes to test themselves in all sorts of death-defying pursuits.

risks and are what make these sports extreme. Watching extreme sports is fascinating, and their popularity has soared in recent years due to frequent on television and social media.

Many extreme sports and their best athletes have become so popular that they have received lucrative sponsorships from a wide variety of companies that want to associate their brands with these cutting-edge thrill seekers. Some sponsorships allow extreme sports athletes to compete in these sports professionally, rather than as merely a hobby.

The best extreme sports athletes can have long and profitable careers, as long as they are true masters of their sport. Unfortunately, when it comes to extreme sports, even the smallest mistakes can have catastrophic - even - effects.

For example, between 2000 and 2011, experts estimate that over four million injuries were caused by extreme sports. In the most extreme sports, minor errors can lead to serious injuries and even death.

Many of these injuries can be prevented. Unfortunately, the young people who are most likely to in extreme sports often lack the good judgment of older adults. The lure of Internet fame leads many inexperienced athletes to attempt things that they're unprepared for.

Given their dangers, someone interested in extreme sports should think carefully before engaging in activities they haven't sufficiently prepared for. If you think you would like to try an extreme sport, get advice from friends and family members, as well as experts in the sport. If you proceed, start small and only progress to riskier activities as your increases.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Do you love to play sports? For many kids, there's nothing quite like the exercise and camaraderie you get from being part of a . Whether it's baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, or volleyball, there is fun to be had on a or a court near you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
tell reasons why video games are good for you

# data[].attributes.body
are video games good for you?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
John Branch, Mark Boyer, Larry Buchanan, Emily Rhyne, Bedel Saget, Umi Syam, Rumsey Taylor, Joe Ward, Jeremy White

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Scares the World’s Most Daring Olympians

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Injury is a constant threat in their death-defying feats. The Times sat down with three dozen athletes who opened up about their fears.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Some of the most widely used AZA statistics, updated annually.

Annual Survey Results

AZA members (Individual Professional category members and Primary Contacts of Conservation Partner, Commercial, Related Facility and Institution Members) may log in and download the results of the most recent AZA Annual Survey of Members.

Accreditation

237 accredited zoos and aquariums in 13 countries (Updated September 2023)

USA: 213 in 46 states and the District of Columbia

Canada: 7

Mexico: 4

Bahamas: 1

Bermuda: 1

Dominican Republic: 1

Argentina: 1

Colombia: 1

Spain: 1

Hong Kong: 1

Singapore: 2

South Korea: 2

United Arab Emirates: 2

15 accredited related facilities
Accreditation occurs every 5 years
Approximately 25 facilities undergo the accreditation process every 6 months

Types of Accredited Facilities

134 zoos

59 aquariums

9 both zoo and aquariums

16 safari and theme parks

15 science and nature centers

2 aviaries

2 butterfly houses

54% non-profit

35% public

11% for-profit

Animals in AZA-Accredited Facilities

Over 780,000 animals in the care of AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium professionals

Over 8,600 species

Over 800 Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, and Extinct In The Wild species as categorized by the IUCN Red List

Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Programs

42 Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs)

Nearly 500 Species Survival Plan Programs

AZA Reproductive Management Center

Supports SSP ® programs by monitoring the safety and efficacy of contraceptives used for all mammalian species and helping bring new contraceptive methods to the zoo, aquarium, and wildlife community

AZA Population Management Center

Population planning for 500 species for the next 100 years

Conservation

$252.2 million was spent on field conservation in 119 countries in 2022

232 species and subspecies that benefited are listed as Endangered or Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

$29 million was spent on AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction species programs in 2022

AZA's Conservation Grants Fund

Over $8.7 million supporting over 470 conservation projects since 1991

Economy

In the most recent survey in 2018, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums:

Contributed more than $22.5 billion to U.S. economy

Supported more than 198,000 full-time jobs in the U.S.

Served more than 200 million annual visitors worldwide (183 million in the U.S.)

Informal Science Education

Based on the Education Programs survey data from 2019,

AZA members provided teacher professional development, curriculum resources and free planning visits that reached more than 96,000 teachers

5.5 million individuals were reached through field trips, outreach programs and education resources targeted to K-12 students

124 facilities reported more than 1,200 education programs that include content about connecting to nature, reaching more than 33 million.

(Updated April 2023)

Over 785 zoo and aquarium professionals have completed in-person AZA courses from 2020-present

Almost 250 zoo and aquarium professionals participated in virtual AZA courses from 2021-2022

AZA offers 18 in-person courses that are team-taught by professionals in the field, designed to develop a variety of animal management, education, and leadership skills

AZA's Executive Leadership Development Program prepares the next generation of executive leaders to successfully advance the zoo and aquarium movement in the future. More than 80 leaders have completed the program since 2014, with 27 having been promoted to the role of Executive Director or CEO.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn more about the Association for Zoos and Aquariums' members, educational programs, and conservation efforts, as well as the kinds of facilities we support.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever went to a zoo and saw a polar bear in a small cage, a small swimming pool to where it can't even go fully underwater, and the fur of the creature wasn't even white anymore? If you think this is okay, then you are not realizing that these animals that they hold in zoos are becoming depressed because they don't have enough space to live a life they deserve. Many people think zoos are a learning opportunity, I agree in a way but there are many different opportunities that you can take instead of viewing animals through a small cage because these animals aren't even acting like themselves. They are being forced to live in such a small environment, some backgrounds are different from others, most are taken from their mothers as babies and others were injured and have to be looked after for the rest of their life because they can't live fully on their own. I agree to the extent that zoos are good assistance to injured animals but they shouldn't be forced into such a small cage, they should be put in sanctuaries that has millions and millions of acres of land where they can roam free as they are being looked after at the same time. Many people do not see this different for what is right or wrong, they look past all of the depressed animals behind bars, because they are too excited to think from the animal's point of view because they have never seen such a mysterious creature and they are blindsided. Zoos are prisons for animals. Do we go to a prison just to view the inmates or would that be weird? Exactly. That is the same concept I am making at this point. You wouldn't view your own species behind bars, then why should you force other species into cages just so that you can see them behind bars for your own use. Its not benefitting all of the animals, some in a way but there are better options than putting animals in zoos.

There are many reasons why animals shouldn't be placed in zoos, according to the article 5 Reasons You Should Boycott the Zoo by Abigail Geer, makes great points on why people should help boycott zoos. The first reason is that zoos cannot provide enough space for each animal. In the wild, these animals have a tremendous amount of space that is never ending. In zoos they are placed on an acre or two per animal. That isn't enough for a wild animal to live on. Second, animals suffer from abnormal behaviors. People come to zoos hoping to experience the whole package of what it feels like being in a different country as if watching these animals in their natural habitat. In reality, most of the animals you see behind the fences are depressed because they are kept in captivity. Zoos do provide the animals with anti-depressants, but is this what people think is right? If this hasn't convinced you then this next reason that Geer states will. Surplus animals are killed. Most zoos state that they are helping animals that are becoming extinct in the wild so they are trying to help reproduce species. Truth is that all the extra animals that are unwanted because zoos were overbreeding, they are killed because they don't have enough space to take care of these animals. Another reason why zoos should be banned is because most animals that are presented at the zoo were once taken from their mother at a small age. They never lived in the wild, so they are not even a good representation of how that animal should act because they didn't grow up in a free environment because they were forced to be in a zoo. So technically the animals that take up the cages at zoos they don't serve an educational purpose because that is not how the animal acts when they are in their actual environment. The fifth reason that will convince you to boycott zoos is that zoos don't serve conservation. Zoos try o hard to make the public believe that when a baby is born that when it grows old it will be released into the wild, but should we really believe them? The answer is no. The baby never knows how to live on its own so they could never just let the baby go on its own even when it does get older. It would know how to take care of itself because zoos do all of it for them, they bring them food and water. In the wild they would have to go hunt for their own food which they would end up starving and dying because they don't know how to do so.

Most people who are pro zoos are blindsided by the excitement of zoos. They never seen a wild creature like this before so they looked passed the sadness in the animal's eyes. An article on the PETA website The reality of Zoos written by Michelle Carr, is an article that supports the reason why zoos are bad for all animals. Carr states that, "I thought being able to see them in person would be neat. But once I saw them "up close and personal," I realized that the animals were miserable. It instantly became very clear to me that the animals imprisoned in zoos are sad and don't want to be kept in artificial environments, have people gawk at them, listen to children who bang on the windows of their enclosures, or have cameras flashing in their faces. To put it simply, zoos are imprisoning animals who want to be free." In this statement, it instantly made me feel guilty from going to zoos when I was little. People need to face up to reality because I know for a fact that everyone has had an experience like Michelle Carr and they need to live up to it and help close zoos down because they are just torturing these animals for their own beneficial use. If everyone became aware of these conditions, then they would proudly help shut them down. Haven't you realized that when you go to zoos you stand there for ten to fifteen minute but they don't move a bit? It's because they don't want to be there. They will never be with their blood family which the animals depend on for their whole life in the wild. They will never know the true meaning of life as if they were in the wild, they will be forced to live in the zoo for the rest of their life with sadness and boredom.

The world needs to come to realize that zoos are bad for animals, PETA explains to us that the animals are on anti-depressants, once an animal outlives their usefulness they are killed, animals are instantly killed if they escape their cages, they transport animals from other countries to satisfy the human eye, surplus animals are mistreated and killed, they will sell animals to circuses or to livestock auctions, they don't have the appropriate veterinarian service they need, and some animals are starved to death. If any one thinks that this is okay in anyway they definitely need to see the difference of zoos and animals in their natural habitat. We need to take action and educate the public before its too late and before they bring in any other animals into their exhibits where they will never be able to step free into the wild ever again. Last Chance for Animals explains to us, "Animals in zoos are forced to live in artificial, stressful, and downright boring conditions. Removed from their natural habitats and social structures, they are confined to small, restrictive environments that deprive them of mental and physical stimulation. While zoos claim to provide conservation, education, and entertainment, their primary goal is to sustain public support in order to increase profits." This is inhumane, there is nothing right about this situation.

There are many problems with zoos because once an animal gets brought in, it can never go out into the wild on their own ever again. Zoos claim they are saving the lives of these animals but they're not, they are torturing them because they don't have a big enough cage to run around and live in a natural way. Zoos take in animals to make money. If we shut down zoos there will be nowhere for these animals to go, unless sanctuaries take them in. Sanctuaries are a good resource when and if zoos go out of business because they are non profit and they promise to take care of the animals till the end of their life. They rescue these animals from abuse and rehabilitate these animals so that they can live a long happy life. Sanctuaries are inspected and they have to meet the guidelines of a true sanctuary according to Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. So this proves that if zoos are forced to shut down they will have somewhere to go, they will have an enormous area to roam free and be taken care because zoos took them from their natural habitat before and can no longer be let back into the wild on their own so they need a back up environment where they wont be in small cages and will not be displayed to the public for others entertainment. A National Geographic article Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals? Written by Rachel Shea states that sanctuaries don't have a sign saying to come in to view our tigers, they don't want to make money, they are just trying to protect these animals so they can have an enjoyable life. Zoo do not try at all to protect these animals, all they want to do is make money off of these animals. We need to find a way to convince the public that there are other ways to view these animals whether it is in person or on television. We do not need to keep these animals hostage so we can satisfy our own entertainment.

Yes, some animals are truly saved by joining zoos because they are in bad shape but they don't deserve to be in a small cage getting viewed by the public as they are making their way to recovery. They deserve to be in sanctuary so that they are protected by the ones who actually want to help and not make money off of them, instead they are protect their rights as animals and doing anything in their power to make sure they are living a life they deserve.

Here are some ways that you could learn about exotic animals without going to zoos, you watch documentaries or travel around the world volunteering at animal sanctuaries. You are not invading their space, you are helping them but not to the point to where they are depressed. They have a lot of open space, they are able to run freely, but they still receive the help they need. If you watch a documentary you are watching them from a screen in their natural habitat without taking them from their home, you see how they truly act and you'll get a more valuable experience from watching them from a TV because they are happy and energize instead of in a corner suffering because they are not with their family living the life they truly deserve.

Animals deserve to live free. They do not deserve to live in a small cage their whole life. No one on earth could stand being in a cage everyday of their life, being viewed by others to satisfy others. They don't get to roam free anymore. Their freedom is taken away from them at such a young age, so young they never experienced the true life as a regular wild animal. So lets put a stop to this and boycott Zoos.

Work Cited

Geer, Abigail. "5 Reasons You Should Boycott the Zoo." 5 Reasons You Should Boycott The Zoo | Care2 Causes. Care 2, 14 Jan. 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

Carr, Michelle. "The Reality of Zoos." PETA. PETA, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

Editors of the Site. "Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals?" National Geographic. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

Shea, Rachel. "Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals?" National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 20 Mar. 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

User, Super. "Last Chance for Animals - Zoos." Last Chance for Animals - Zoos. LCA, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

@peta. "13 Times Zoos Were Bad for Animals." PETA. PETA, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

Healy, Patrick. "Giraffes, Towering and Otherworldly, Are 'Vulnerable' to Extinction." The New York Times. The New York Times, 08 Dec. 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

"Zoos." Animal Cruelty - Zoos. Vegan Peace, 2015. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Have you ever went to a zoo and saw a polar bear in a small cage, a small swimming pool to where it can't even go fully underwater, and the fur of the creature wasn't even white anymore? If you think...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
X Games too extreme? New questions after snowmobile accident | CNN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Serious injury to snowmobiler brings increased scrutiny to the safety of X Games.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Is your kid obsessed with becoming the next X Games star, Olympic medalist, or YouTube stuntman? Young kids often have no fear when it comes to taking risks, but are extreme sports like dirt bike riding and bungee jumping dangerous for kids?
Related: Sports Safety Tips for Your Child
Though traditional sports like football, basketball, and hockey aren't exactly going out of style, the world of extreme sports is growing in popularity. Kids and adults alike are participating in increasing numbers in these risky-if not sometimes downright dangerous-sports. But why?

From skateboarding and snowboarding to BMX biking and rock climbing, pop culture and social media have collided to amp up physical activity and make super-sized stunts seem like the norm. Long gone are the days when peer pressure from classmates, neighbors or older sibs drove younger children to drop into a half-pipe or launch their bike off a crazy incline.

Today's kiddos are also influenced by...well, influencers. YouTube stars, TikTok creators, and even Olympic athletes have turned extreme sports from something that only the wildest child would attempt to everyday activities.

If your littles are begging to do extreme sports and you're totally new to these types of activities, read on for more info on the risks, benefits, times to encourage your kiddo, and when to flat out say a big 'ol, " NO."

Extreme Sports Growing More Popular with Kids

Some kids are happier riding their skateboards than dealing with the structure of soccer practice. Others like cruising around on their BMX bikes until their legs just quit, surfing themselves silly, or spending the entire weekend learning new tricks on their inline skates.

Of course, young kids are also attracted to extreme sports because they're cool. And who doesn't like being on the cutting edge? Snowboarding, the bad-boy little brother of skiing, was legitimized by sports traditionalists when it became an official Olympic event at the 1998 Nagano Games.

Fast-forward to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which were actually held in 2021 thanks to the pandemic) and skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing became legit gold, silver, and bronze events!

Studies Show Fewer Kids Are Joining School Sports Teams

Have the days of dribbling a ball down a court or passing a puck gone the way of the dinosaurs? According to stats from Project Play, in 2021 the most popular youth sports for children ages six through 12 were bicycling, basketball, and baseball. Even though more than 5.2 million children biked in 2021, this was a significant change from way back in 2008.

The Project Play statistics show that only 18 percent of children reported bicycling in 2021, while a whopping 27.7 percent got active on two wheels in 2008.

Basketball team play dropped from 16.6 percent to 14.5 percent participation and baseball from 16.5 percent to 12.6 percent between 2008 and 2021. The number of children playing other popular team sports, such as soccer, tackle football, and flag football, also dropped during the same time frame.

Basketball is Less Popular But Bicycling is Big with Teens

The same downward trends didn't happen for teen participation in all traditional sports. Bicycling participation grew from 16.8 percent to 21 percent between 2008 and 2021 and baseball play rose from 8.2 percent to 9.5 percent.

What could account for the overall downward trend in team and individual youth sports play? There isn't one reason. But some of the possible explanations include an increasingly competitive climate, the high cost of intensive travel sports (such as hockey), or interest in other activities -such as extreme sports.

Dangerous Sports: Kids in BMX, Climbing, and Bungee Jumping?!

We spoke to Paul Vail, 29, a BMX freestyle bike rider for more than 14 years to learn more about the kinds of extreme sports kids are trying.

Vail says that when it comes to extreme sports, "Today's kids who've been riding skateboards or BMX bikes since they were 12-year-olds will become the parents who say, 'Yes, skateboarding, bike riding -- perfectly acceptable sports for my kid to do. And don't tell me they have to play football or be on the basketball team to be accepted, because that's no longer true.'"

Vail balks at the term "extreme sports." "People have been skydiving, skiing, riding bikes, doing tricks, and taking jumps forever. I think the extreme sports label is a gimmick. I like the term 'alternative sports'."

Extreme or not, it's important to encourage kids to express themselves physically, whether their athletic tastes are trendy or traditional. Both solo and team-oriented sports can build self-confidence, relieve stress, and promote physical fitness -- all of which are vital to growing kids and adults alike.

Kids in "alternative" sports are expressive, highly skilled athletes. And sports like rock climbing, snowboarding, inline skating, surfing, skateboarding, extreme skiing, and mountain biking (to name just a few), require significant technical ability as well as strength and endurance. Plus, alternative sports can help your kids develop positive qualities like discipline, persistence, and determination.

Kids in Ski Jumping or Snowboarding

BMX, skateboarding, and bungee jumping aren't the only extreme sports kids flock to. Even though ski jumping might seem like a new adventurous activity, it made its Olympic debut way back in 1924.

Of course, this doesn't mean kiddos were climbing up mountains, whooshing down slopes, and flying into the air on two skis a century ago. While this soaring sport isn't exactly new, its youth appeal has spiked in recent years. According to Women's Ski Jumping USA, five to eight years old is the age average for ski jumpers to start the sport!

Like ski jumping, snowboarding is a winter-time extreme sport that has skyrocketed in popularity. Again, snowboarding became Olympic-official in 1998. Almost a decade later, in 2006, then-19-year-old Shaun White made his first bid for the gold. But White certainly wasn't the last teen to take this extreme sport up a level and put it center stage.

Seventeen-year-old Chloe Kim became the youngest women's Olympic halfpipe competitor to nab the gold in 2018 at the PyeongChang games. With role models like White and Kim to follow, a whole new generation is getting into the halfpipe!

Not only do today's kiddos follow these, and other top athletes, but during the Olympics, they can watch the extreme antics of snowboarders on YouTube, TikTok, and just about every other social media site.

Kids and Sport Injuries

How dangerous are extreme sports? As a parent, your child's safety is priority number one. And that's why you're not so sure about your kiddo's extreme activities. Even though extreme sports do often come with, as the name implies, extreme risks, these aren't the only athletics that can result in serious injuries.

According to Stanford Medicine Children's Health, each year over 3.5 million children (14 and under) are injured during sports play. This includes more than 775,000 kiddos who require ER treatment. The majority of the injuries requiring hospital-level care are the result of collisions, falls, overexertion (during informal recreational activities) or object-related impacts.

When it comes to the most injuries per sport, football takes the top spot-with nearly 215,000 five- to 14-year-olds treated in hospitals in one year. This number is higher than what you find with some extreme sports. But in general, more children play this type of traditional team sport than engage in extreme activity.

A 2015 study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine looked at the prevalence of head and neck injuries in extreme sports. The researchers found that between 2000 and 2011 there were more than four million total injuries from these types of activities (this includes adult injuries).

Over 11 percent of these were head and neck injuries. Of these head and neck injuries, the extreme sports with the highest number of incidents included skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, and motocross.

Fear is probably the number-one reason many of us avoid taking risks. For athletes in extreme sports, conquering fear is part of the adventure of sport. When a skateboarder is practicing tricks on a 15-foot ramp (commonly called a half-pipe), or a mountain biker is flying down a rock-strewn single-track trail, and he makes a mistake and falls -- well, it's going to hurt a little. Okay, maybe a lot.

But the athletes we spoke to didn't complain about injuries. In fact, most have enjoyed relatively injury-free experiences in their sports. Brian Krause, a competitive skydiver for the U.S. Army's Golden Knights, has taken thousands of jumps out of airplanes without so much as a sprained ankle.

But Matt Donovan, a pro downhill mountain bike racer from Massachusetts, said that when he first got serious about racing, his season was "very injury-laden. I had two concussions, a separated shoulder, a broken hand, multiple cuts, and lacerations. And I cracked a rib."

There are two kinds of sports injuries:

1. Chronic Repetitive or Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries can cause stress fractures, muscle tears, or progressive bone deformities.

2. Acute Injuries

Acute sports injuries occur as a result of trauma from contact with a major force. Acute sports injuries include fractures, broken bones, dislocations, and more serious spinal and brain injuries.

Is It Wrong to Let Children Do Extreme Sports?

Should safety concerns stop your child from trying an extreme sport? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If your adventure-loving kiddo is all about skateboarding, snowboarding, parkour, BMX biking, or any other high-octane activity, you will need to think about:

Your Child's Age and Developmental Level

Is your child developmentally ready to handle the challenge? What is their skill level when it comes to basic coordination and athletic tasks like running, jumping, and balancing? Can you trust them to act responsibly, follow an instructor's directions, and wear safety equipment correctly?

Your Child's Motivation

Does your child want to become the next Tik Tok star? If your tween has dreams of easily twisting a BMX bike around in mid-air like their fave influencer or thinks videos of teens crashing their skateboards into just about anything and everything is hilarious, they may struggle to stay safe while engaging in an extreme sport.

The Instructor or Coach

Who will teach your child about the sport? A YouTube video or IG video are not a substitute for the real deal. Only a qualified instructor or professional should instruct your child.

The Safety Equipment

Do you know what safety equipment your child will need? Will they wear it? You may need to learn more about the equipment standards before you allow your child to participate in extreme activities.

What types of equipment do children need? The specific items depend on the sport. These could include a helmet, shoulder pads, shin pads, elbow pads, or wrist guards.

According to Seattle Children's Hospital, skiers and snowboarders should wear a helmet that meets ASTM, CEN, or Snell standards. Skateboarders should wear one that conforms to the ASTM F1492 standard. Children who ride bikes or scooters should wear a helmet that meets CPSC or Snell standards, knee pads, and elbow pads.

When is an extreme sport too extreme? If you don't feel comfortable with your child engaging in the activity or don't feel that they can follow safety directions, it's okay to just say no. Some sports are not age-appropriate for younger kids, and you should wait until they're a bit older to try them out.

It's also okay to talk to ask questions, talk to a pro, or take your time gathering facts, stats, and any other info about the adventurous activity! Learn more about extreme sports by taking our quiz here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids and Extreme Sports: Should They Be Allowed?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Should kids do extreme sports? BMX riders, snowboarders and X Game stars weigh in on the benefits and risks of kids doing extreme sports.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In order for us to understand why people enjoy extreme sports, it is vital for you to understand what extreme sports are; the background, why they are called extreme and why they are categorize on the basis of enjoyment styles.

In recent years, the term extreme sports has evolved on grand scale. It can be categorized into three main types: Air, Land and Water. Now you'll start unleashing, how they work and why do people enjoy them.
These extreme sports are often subject of debates based of the fact that how a sport is called extreme. Often popular in younger-than-average crowd (though not mandatory), these sports are not inducted or sanctioned by schools. These sports are practiced mostly on individual level, while in many cases professional coaching can also be acquired.

Now we tell you the secret recipe of their buzz:

Control and physics: The reason why people enjoy these sports are that they are normally played, exercised or practiced in free or uncontrolled environment like base jumping and sky diving. It means while traditional athletes play in controlled environment like fields and gyms. Extreme athletes have to operate and display their skills in free-flowing natural environment. For this reason the aspects and understanding of laws of physics and how to apply and use them are really crucial for success.

Thrill: This is the single most attractive factor in people's interest for extreme sports. The adrenaline rush is what differentiates it from any other type of sports. The thrill that is derived in extreme sports is highest. The athletes are fully exposed and at the mercy of direct danger. The catch is how to maintain composure and apply skills when it is in extreme scenario. Extreme sports are also widely condemned for the same reason. As many don't think it is a game to put one's self in harm's way with full throttle, without understanding the intensity of consequences.

Pushing The Limits: Extreme sports as the name goes is about pushing the limits. The balance and control of regular instincts application is tried in the highest pressure scenario. The response, nerves and the grip over the un-controllable is the main zeal why people who play or watch, enjoy it.

Man against Nature: As we mentioned earlier that they are about natural elements- Air, Water and Land. These games are loved because the natural elements react to human extreme or instincts. The passion of man to overcome the natural barriers is an addiction for these athletes and spectators. Many a time these overtures have dire impacts, but the fear of danger is the prime motivator to excel in its skill.

Some of the mainstream extreme sports are base jumping, bungy jumping, sky diving, gliding, extreme skiing, mountain biking, cliff-diving, scuba diving, wind surfing. No matter what extreme sport you may enjoy know your limits, or you'll be pushed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In order for us to understand why people enjoy extreme sports, it is vital for you to understand what extreme sports are; the background, why they are called extreme ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The World's First Wingsuit Champion Is Crowned

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The World's First Wingsuit Champion Is Crowned has 322 reviews and 0 ratings. Reviewer hsess wrote: "nice article"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Who Its The Toughest Action Sports Athlete?

Who's the UGIEST of them all? Action Sport athletes are some of the most fearless, some might say crazy, humans on earth. They are driven by pure adrenaline, and the fact that they're risking life and limb on a daily basis only seems to fuel their fire. The unrelenting pursuit of progression leads these athletes to push the boundaries and test the limits of whať's possible, sometimes resulting in serious or fatal accidents. But you can only have ONE TRUE badass of the bunch and Krush set out to find who that is. WHAT'S THE PERCEPTION OUT THERE? WHICH ACTION SPORT HAS THE TOUGHEST ATHLETES? A recent 2012 survey of action sports athletes revealed that motocross athletes were perceived to be the toughest. *Respondents were asked to choose among the six sports listed below 32% 26.1% 18% MOTOCROSS SKATEBOARDING 11.8% SNOWBOARDING 7.7% BMX 4.4% SURFING FREESKIING #1 # 2 # 3 # 4 # 5 #6 WHERE'S THE RISK? NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN EACH SPORT THAT GET INJURED PREDICTION (Per 1,000 participants) *Per 1,000 surfing hours for surfing New school freestyle skiing, or "freeskiing", has only come onto the scene since the late 1990's. Being such a young sport, data is scarce when it comes to tracking injuries and risk and includes both freeskiing and alpine skiing. We predict that the injuries per thousand will be significantly higher in the coming years. 100 94.5 63 60 40 20 8.9 6.97 6.6 2.63 Freestyle Motocross BMX Skateboarder Snowboarder Surfer Freeskier MOST COMMON INJURY IN EACH SPORT SHOULDER INJURIES LACERATIONS AND ABRASIONS BLUNT CHEST AND ABDOMINAL TRAUMA WRIST INJURIES TORN LIGAMENTS ANKLE INJURIES THE BEST OF THE WORST INJURIES NOTABLE ATHLETES FROM EACH SPORT RATED ON THEIR INJURY LEVEL *The rating system is a cross reference between seriousness & frequency of injuries FREQUENCY OF INJURIES KEVIN PEARCE TRAVIS PASTRANA MIKE METZGER MAT HOFFMAN JACOB TRETTE DAVE MIRRA O BRIAN DEEGAN JAKE BROWN DANNY WAY TRAVIS RICE TANNER HALL less often FREQUENCY OF INJURIES more often ATHLETES TRAVIS PASTRANA: Has one of the most extensive injury rap sheets in the action sports industry, including a rare dislocated spinal injury. MAT HOFFMAN: Fell after clearing 23 feet in the air, rupturing his spleen. He was given 20 minutes to live. MIKE METZGER: Broken vertebrae in his back and neck, injured both collarbones, and lacerated his kidney training for X17. KEVIN PEARCE: Sustained a traumatic brain injury after hitting his head on the hard icy side of the halfpipe training for the Olympics. DAVE MIRRA: He is called the "Miracle Boy" because he survives so many serious accidents. BRIAN DEEGAN: Broke his hip, snapped his humerus in half, broke his wrists five times, compressed a vertebra in his back and blew up his kidney doing a backflip. JAKE BROWN: Brown spent three days in a hospital recovering from a broken wrist, a bleeding liver, a bruised lung and cracked vertebrae. JACOB TRETTE: Almost drowned after being trapped underwater by two 25-foot waves. Spent three days in an induced coma in the ICU. DANNY WAY: Has had 13 surgeries, including eight on his knee, along with four ACL reconstructions in the same knee. TANNER HALL: Broke both ankles in 2005, then suffered fractures to both tibial plateaus, and ACL tears in each knee in 2010. TRAVIS RICE: Travis ruptured his spleen and spent six days in intensive care. TAKEN TOO SOON HEROIC ATHLETES, WE HONOR AND REMEMBER ALWAYS KARGOLA (1983-2011) JIM (1978-2011) JEREMY LUSK JEFF (1982-2012) CR JOHNSON MCCONKEY CRAIG AARON ROBINSON MCNEIL SHANE KELLY (1966-2003) (1984-2009) SARAH BURKE Freestyle Motocross JOYEUX (1980-2005) (1983-2010) (1969-2009) Freestyle Motocross MILOSKY Freestyle Motocross (1983-2011) SION (1975-2011) MALIK Freeskier Freeskier Freeskier Snowboarder Snowboarder Surfer Surfer BY DRIN With all action sports comes a certain degree of risk and fear that isn't found in other sports. This risk, along with the reward, is what motivates these athletes day in and day out, and even though we give props to every single one of them... WE CAN ONLY HAVE ONE WINNER: MOTOCROSS frousHEST SOURCES http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/press/facts-ski-snbd-safety.asp http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15133584 http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0515/p2007.html#afp20010515p2007-b13 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070102092203.htm http://www.sandersclinic.net/common_motoxinj.html http://www.orthonurse.org/portals/0/sports%20med%203.pdf https://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-042612-120758/unrestricted/final.pdf http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/40/4/770.abstract http://vuir.vu.edu.au/712/ KRUSH K http://travispastrana.net/extra/injuries/ ptavispastre http://magazine.stack.com/Thelssue/Article/7775/OneonOne_With_Brian_Deegan. aspx http://sports.espn.go.com/action http://www.grindtv.com/athlete/jeremy-lusk/ http://www.kidzworld.com/article/2703-xtreme-sports-injuries# http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/17/news_pf/Sports/Extremely_painful.shtml http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000077290/news/danny-way-hospitalized-at-mega-ramp-contest/ http://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/4892-jacob-trette-released-from-hospital-after-induced-coma http://www.surfermag.com/features/malikrip/ "Survey Results: 300+ respondents surveyed nationwide through Krush media outlets less serious SERIOUSNESS OF THE INJURY more serious

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Who Its The Toughest Action Sports Athlete?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The toughest action sports athletes based on public opinion and injury reports. What do you think? Do you agree?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Overconfidence and a lack of training and a habit of not wearing safety gear, especially helmets, help cause more than 40,000 head and neck injuries nationally a year in sports like skateboarding.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Is your kid obsessed with becoming the next X Games star, Olympic medalist, or YouTube stuntman? Young kids often have no fear when it comes to taking risks, but are extreme sports like dirt bike riding and bungee jumping dangerous for kids?
Related: Sports Safety Tips for Your Child
Though traditional sports like football, basketball, and hockey aren't exactly going out of style, the world of extreme sports is growing in popularity. Kids and adults alike are participating in increasing numbers in these risky-if not sometimes downright dangerous-sports. But why?

From skateboarding and snowboarding to BMX biking and rock climbing, pop culture and social media have collided to amp up physical activity and make super-sized stunts seem like the norm. Long gone are the days when peer pressure from classmates, neighbors or older sibs drove younger children to drop into a half-pipe or launch their bike off a crazy incline.

Today's kiddos are also influenced by...well, influencers. YouTube stars, TikTok creators, and even Olympic athletes have turned extreme sports from something that only the wildest child would attempt to everyday activities.

If your littles are begging to do extreme sports and you're totally new to these types of activities, read on for more info on the risks, benefits, times to encourage your kiddo, and when to flat out say a big 'ol, " NO."

Extreme Sports Growing More Popular with Kids

Some kids are happier riding their skateboards than dealing with the structure of soccer practice. Others like cruising around on their BMX bikes until their legs just quit, surfing themselves silly, or spending the entire weekend learning new tricks on their inline skates.

Of course, young kids are also attracted to extreme sports because they're cool. And who doesn't like being on the cutting edge? Snowboarding, the bad-boy little brother of skiing, was legitimized by sports traditionalists when it became an official Olympic event at the 1998 Nagano Games.

Fast-forward to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which were actually held in 2021 thanks to the pandemic) and skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing became legit gold, silver, and bronze events!

Studies Show Fewer Kids Are Joining School Sports Teams

Have the days of dribbling a ball down a court or passing a puck gone the way of the dinosaurs? According to stats from Project Play, in 2021 the most popular youth sports for children ages six through 12 were bicycling, basketball, and baseball. Even though more than 5.2 million children biked in 2021, this was a significant change from way back in 2008.

The Project Play statistics show that only 18 percent of children reported bicycling in 2021, while a whopping 27.7 percent got active on two wheels in 2008.

Basketball team play dropped from 16.6 percent to 14.5 percent participation and baseball from 16.5 percent to 12.6 percent between 2008 and 2021. The number of children playing other popular team sports, such as soccer, tackle football, and flag football, also dropped during the same time frame.

Basketball is Less Popular But Bicycling is Big with Teens

The same downward trends didn't happen for teen participation in all traditional sports. Bicycling participation grew from 16.8 percent to 21 percent between 2008 and 2021 and baseball play rose from 8.2 percent to 9.5 percent.

What could account for the overall downward trend in team and individual youth sports play? There isn't one reason. But some of the possible explanations include an increasingly competitive climate, the high cost of intensive travel sports (such as hockey), or interest in other activities -such as extreme sports.

Dangerous Sports: Kids in BMX, Climbing, and Bungee Jumping?!

We spoke to Paul Vail, 29, a BMX freestyle bike rider for more than 14 years to learn more about the kinds of extreme sports kids are trying.

Vail says that when it comes to extreme sports, "Today's kids who've been riding skateboards or BMX bikes since they were 12-year-olds will become the parents who say, 'Yes, skateboarding, bike riding -- perfectly acceptable sports for my kid to do. And don't tell me they have to play football or be on the basketball team to be accepted, because that's no longer true.'"

Vail balks at the term "extreme sports." "People have been skydiving, skiing, riding bikes, doing tricks, and taking jumps forever. I think the extreme sports label is a gimmick. I like the term 'alternative sports'."

Extreme or not, it's important to encourage kids to express themselves physically, whether their athletic tastes are trendy or traditional. Both solo and team-oriented sports can build self-confidence, relieve stress, and promote physical fitness -- all of which are vital to growing kids and adults alike.

Kids in "alternative" sports are expressive, highly skilled athletes. And sports like rock climbing, snowboarding, inline skating, surfing, skateboarding, extreme skiing, and mountain biking (to name just a few), require significant technical ability as well as strength and endurance. Plus, alternative sports can help your kids develop positive qualities like discipline, persistence, and determination.

Kids in Ski Jumping or Snowboarding

BMX, skateboarding, and bungee jumping aren't the only extreme sports kids flock to. Even though ski jumping might seem like a new adventurous activity, it made its Olympic debut way back in 1924.

Of course, this doesn't mean kiddos were climbing up mountains, whooshing down slopes, and flying into the air on two skis a century ago. While this soaring sport isn't exactly new, its youth appeal has spiked in recent years. According to Women's Ski Jumping USA, five to eight years old is the age average for ski jumpers to start the sport!

Like ski jumping, snowboarding is a winter-time extreme sport that has skyrocketed in popularity. Again, snowboarding became Olympic-official in 1998. Almost a decade later, in 2006, then-19-year-old Shaun White made his first bid for the gold. But White certainly wasn't the last teen to take this extreme sport up a level and put it center stage.

Seventeen-year-old Chloe Kim became the youngest women's Olympic halfpipe competitor to nab the gold in 2018 at the PyeongChang games. With role models like White and Kim to follow, a whole new generation is getting into the halfpipe!

Not only do today's kiddos follow these, and other top athletes, but during the Olympics, they can watch the extreme antics of snowboarders on YouTube, TikTok, and just about every other social media site.

Kids and Sport Injuries

How dangerous are extreme sports? As a parent, your child's safety is priority number one. And that's why you're not so sure about your kiddo's extreme activities. Even though extreme sports do often come with, as the name implies, extreme risks, these aren't the only athletics that can result in serious injuries.

According to Stanford Medicine Children's Health, each year over 3.5 million children (14 and under) are injured during sports play. This includes more than 775,000 kiddos who require ER treatment. The majority of the injuries requiring hospital-level care are the result of collisions, falls, overexertion (during informal recreational activities) or object-related impacts.

When it comes to the most injuries per sport, football takes the top spot-with nearly 215,000 five- to 14-year-olds treated in hospitals in one year. This number is higher than what you find with some extreme sports. But in general, more children play this type of traditional team sport than engage in extreme activity.

A 2015 study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine looked at the prevalence of head and neck injuries in extreme sports. The researchers found that between 2000 and 2011 there were more than four million total injuries from these types of activities (this includes adult injuries).

Over 11 percent of these were head and neck injuries. Of these head and neck injuries, the extreme sports with the highest number of incidents included skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, and motocross.

Fear is probably the number-one reason many of us avoid taking risks. For athletes in extreme sports, conquering fear is part of the adventure of sport. When a skateboarder is practicing tricks on a 15-foot ramp (commonly called a half-pipe), or a mountain biker is flying down a rock-strewn single-track trail, and he makes a mistake and falls -- well, it's going to hurt a little. Okay, maybe a lot.

But the athletes we spoke to didn't complain about injuries. In fact, most have enjoyed relatively injury-free experiences in their sports. Brian Krause, a competitive skydiver for the U.S. Army's Golden Knights, has taken thousands of jumps out of airplanes without so much as a sprained ankle.

But Matt Donovan, a pro downhill mountain bike racer from Massachusetts, said that when he first got serious about racing, his season was "very injury-laden. I had two concussions, a separated shoulder, a broken hand, multiple cuts, and lacerations. And I cracked a rib."

There are two kinds of sports injuries:

1. Chronic Repetitive or Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries can cause stress fractures, muscle tears, or progressive bone deformities.

2. Acute Injuries

Acute sports injuries occur as a result of trauma from contact with a major force. Acute sports injuries include fractures, broken bones, dislocations, and more serious spinal and brain injuries.

Is It Wrong to Let Children Do Extreme Sports?

Should safety concerns stop your child from trying an extreme sport? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If your adventure-loving kiddo is all about skateboarding, snowboarding, parkour, BMX biking, or any other high-octane activity, you will need to think about:

Your Child's Age and Developmental Level

Is your child developmentally ready to handle the challenge? What is their skill level when it comes to basic coordination and athletic tasks like running, jumping, and balancing? Can you trust them to act responsibly, follow an instructor's directions, and wear safety equipment correctly?

Your Child's Motivation

Does your child want to become the next Tik Tok star? If your tween has dreams of easily twisting a BMX bike around in mid-air like their fave influencer or thinks videos of teens crashing their skateboards into just about anything and everything is hilarious, they may struggle to stay safe while engaging in an extreme sport.

The Instructor or Coach

Who will teach your child about the sport? A YouTube video or IG video are not a substitute for the real deal. Only a qualified instructor or professional should instruct your child.

The Safety Equipment

Do you know what safety equipment your child will need? Will they wear it? You may need to learn more about the equipment standards before you allow your child to participate in extreme activities.

What types of equipment do children need? The specific items depend on the sport. These could include a helmet, shoulder pads, shin pads, elbow pads, or wrist guards.

According to Seattle Children's Hospital, skiers and snowboarders should wear a helmet that meets ASTM, CEN, or Snell standards. Skateboarders should wear one that conforms to the ASTM F1492 standard. Children who ride bikes or scooters should wear a helmet that meets CPSC or Snell standards, knee pads, and elbow pads.

When is an extreme sport too extreme? If you don't feel comfortable with your child engaging in the activity or don't feel that they can follow safety directions, it's okay to just say no. Some sports are not age-appropriate for younger kids, and you should wait until they're a bit older to try them out.

It's also okay to talk to ask questions, talk to a pro, or take your time gathering facts, stats, and any other info about the adventurous activity! Learn more about extreme sports by taking our quiz here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids and Extreme Sports: Should They Be Allowed?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Should kids do extreme sports? BMX riders, snowboarders and X Game stars weigh in on the benefits and risks of kids doing extreme sports.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
UAGC | University of Arizona Global Campus

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's no secret that social media is in the middle of most people's lives. Social media influences how we live, how we work, and now more than ever, how we learn. According to a recent study, more and more teachers and professors are incorporating social media into their classrooms to engage students and support their educational development, whether online or in person. In short - social media is shaping and influencing how students learn and interact today.

The Role of Social Media as a Learning Tool

The rise of social media in the classroom isn't about how many people "like" your posts. The collaborative environment and open forum that social media encourages, along with the rapid-pace of information sharing that it facilitates, means that students can accelerate the development of their creative, critical thinking, and communication processes in certain ways when they use it.

Social media promotes self-directed learning, which prepares students to search for answers and make decisions independently. When reinforced in a classroom setting, these social media skills can be guided and refined to produce better learning outcomes and critical awareness. Social media also allows students more freedom to connect and collaborate beyond the physical classroom, which means students anywhere can start to experience the globally connected world long before they enter the workforce.

Technology for Engaged Learning

Social learning is active learning, which means that students participate directly in their own learning rather than passively absorbing information they will most likely forget once the exam is over. Social media shapes and presents information in a way that makes sense to and excites students more than traditional tools do, whether it's through a shared article with comment functionality, a livestream of an important event, a survey related to course materials, or a question posed to the broader community.

Furthermore, sharing posts and information with other students, rather than simply submitting assignments to the teacher, promotes deeper engagement and better performance from all students. If students know from the start that they and their peers will interact with course materials and each other on various social media platforms, they may put in more effort to both their work and online presence.

Types of Social Media Tools

Professors may use any of the following social media platforms as learning tools:

* Blogs with comment functionality to share and discuss information;
* Twitter and course hashtags to encourage open forum and debate;
* Skype to engage more deeply with the material and each other;
* Pinterest for sharing clever ideas, inspiration, and valuable resources amongst students:
* Google Docs, Wikis and other collaborative document tools to store and refine data;
* Project Management Apps to foster and streamline collaboration;
* LinkedIn and other social networks to build connection;
* YouTube to create both course and student presentations;
* And more!

Education Experts and Twitter

Along with encouraging an open forum in the classroom, Twitter can be utilized as access to professionals in each field and the conversations they're having. As education and technology continue to meld together, many forward-thinking subject matter experts weigh in with their insights and experiences. Their blogs and social media feeds are plenty and ever-growing. Here are just a handful of top education experts:

1. The Chronicle of Higher Education is a top source of news and information for faculty members in higher education but is also of interest to students and anyone else with an interest in issues affecting colleges and universities today.

2. The Guardian Higher Education Network is produced by the UK news source The Guardian and is full of advice and insight related to higher education. Despite coming from across the pond, it's for anyone working anywhere in or with higher education.

3. Steven W. Anderson, the Director of Instructional Technology for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in Winston-Salem, NC, is "blogging about the web 2.0 connected classroom."

4. Andrew Campbell is an opinionated and funny educator who blogs about technology in the classroom, amongst other topics.

5. Tom Vander Ark is the founder of GettingSmart.com, a site that encourages readers to think, learn, and innovate. Tom is the author of Getting Smart: How Digital Learning is Changing the World.

Pinterest for Student Collaboration

Pinterest is a great opportunity for students to create studying and ideation resource boards. These can be used to further their studies, careers, or even their peer relationships! Here are just a few ways Pinterest can be used as a resource for learning.

Inspiration - A board full of quotes, compelling photos, or anything that keeps students feeling inspired. They can check this board for a good motivational boost.

Writing Resources - Being able to write and communicate effectively is essential to students. They can never have too much writing advice. This board can be used to save pins that are helpful for writing papers, researching, or just a quick brush up on grammar.

Technology - For those pursuing an online bachelor's degree, it should help to keep up with the latest tech news and helpful tips. Tips, news updates, software tricks, and new apps can be pinned to keep students up with the latest and greatest.

Career Tips - Interview outfits, resume tips, job statistics - by creating a board full of career resources, students will feel even more ready to tackle the job hunt after graduation.

LinkedIn for Building Networks

When it comes to networking, LinkedIn is an indispensable resource. Schools typically maintain a presence on LinkedIn, and there are numerous official LinkedIn groups geared toward smaller niches within the larger community. You'll see LinkedIn groups devoted to alumni, veterans, colleges, departments, degree programs, and extracurricular interests. You're certain to find one or two groups that align with your personal interests.

Students don't need to wait until after graduation to start networking. If you start participating in pertinent LinkedIn groups while you're still a student, you'll already have built a solid network by the time you graduate.

Even after graduation, you'll probably want to stay connected to your school's community. They'll find out about benefits like alumni events and have access to a network of other students, graduates, faculty, and staff all over the country. Leverage your school's connection to build a formidable, professional network. You never know when a fellow alumnus or a former professor might be able to help you out in your life or career. They may have leads on the perfect job for you, or maybe just some good advice.

Creating a Social-Savvy Workforce

Not only can social media in the classroom create more collaborative and creative work from students, it can also help students identify real-world applications for the social media tools they already use. Today more than ever, students, working professionals, and even businesses need to be savvy on social media to succeed. Especially when carefully developed and directed during school, social media skills can, therefore, help students find jobs in a marketplace that increasingly relies on digital tools for networking and information sharing.

If used with intention, social media can positively influence the way each individual learns and absorbs information in the classroom. Incorporating social media into a more traditional learning environment can expand students' creative freedom and encourage them to work harder and engage more. Of course, as the social media landscape changes, classrooms will also need to adapt - but with social media already impacting the way we learn and interact outside of the classroom, applications within the classroom will likely only increase.
Written by the University S taff

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Using Social Media for Learning | UAGC | University of Arizona Global Campus

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's no secret that social media is in the middle of most people's lives. Social media influences how we live, how we work, and now more than ever, how we learn. According to a recent study, more and more teachers and professors are incorporating social media into their classrooms to engage students and support their educational development, whether online or in person.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
65 percent of U.S. respondents think it is important that they are able to access their entertainment on a number of different devices

59 percent of U.K. respondents think it is important that they are able to access their entertainment on a number of different devices

58 percent (U.S.) and 53 percent (U.K.) of consumers state they would be willing to pay for content if they were able to move it across devices

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Social Media Now a Leading Entertainment Source

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
65 percent of U.S. respondents think it is important that they are able to access their entertainment on a number of different devices 59 percent of U.K. respondents think it is important that they are able to access their entertainment on a number of different devices 58 percent (U.S.)

# data[].attributes.headline
The surprising benefits of video games for kids

# data[].attributes.subject
The surprising benefits of video games for kids

# data[].attributes.body
if it doesn't work press open window - Claudia ; )

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Last school year, nine-year-old Elijah did something his family would never have expected: he got up in front of the whole school and danced in the talent show. Never mind that the moves were inspired by victory dances that take place in the video game . "If it wasn't for his friend putting this together, Elijah never would have been in a talent show," says his mom, Narie Ju-Hong, who adds that all his male classmates, even the very shy ones, voluntarily agreed to participate in the dance.

Video games have influenced Ju-Hong's family, including six-year-old Claire, in other positive ways. For example, they play the dance competition game Just Dance multiple times a week, and compete for who has the best dance moves. "You actually work up a sweat," adds Ju-Hong.

While console-based games, like Nintendo and PlayStation, have been popular with kids for decades, tablets, smart phones and computers have made screen-based electronic games more accessible and affordable than ever. Exact numbers for Canadian kids aren't available, but research in the United States from 2011 found 91 per cent of American kids play video games-and that was before tablets were popular.

If video games aren't already part of your family's life, it's likely only a matter of time before your kid asks about Minecraft, a game in which you use blocks to create worlds and beat challenges. Fortnite, a third-person, multi-player shooter game, is also popular, though more controversial (and one that Ju-Hong's son isn't actually allowed to play yet, despite being familiar with the dance moves).

But between articles circulating about the potential for addiction and the common worry that video games will bring out violent behaviour, it can be tempting to issue a house-wide ban on this form of entertainment. In reality, that's probably not needed. You'll likely want to hold off on certain games due to violence until your kids are older, but not all video games need to be locked away until your kid's eighteenth birthday. It turns out that with moderation and supervision, video games could actually be a positive influence in your kid's life.

The positives of video games

While video games have the potential to offer kids a range of benefits, one of the strongest is around helping them develop their sense of self. "They can give kids a sense of competence, connection and autonomy that really boosts their self-esteem," says Michelle Ponti, a London, ON-based paediatrician and chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society's digital health task force. "What might just look like a fun waste of time to parents can actually be teaching kids valuable life skills including problem solving, how to make and take ownership of choices and how to control their own behaviours and goals." Some games, generally those that are multi-player, even have the potential to teach kids empathy, due to the shared experienced of completing the game together, explains Ponti.

Jennifer Turliuk, CEO of MakerKids, a Toronto-based company that offers STEM-oriented camps, classes and parties, says she likes to use video games to teach skills like conflict resolution. For example, in Minecraft, players can sometimes-accidentally or otherwise -build on each other's land or even destroy each other's creations. While this has the potential for meltdowns when you're dealing with grade schoolers, with the right guidance from adults, these incidents can be teachable moments on how to talk (or type) through conflict. Turliuk has then watched these skills be applied away from the screen, for example, when a summer camp group is taken to the park.

The interactive aspect of some games can also be beneficial for kids who struggle with face-to-face social interactions. "Online communication can sometimes be a lot easier for socially anxious kids," notes Ponti. She adds that while real-life world interactions are crucial in this instance, online gaming can be a great space for these kids to practice social skills.

Video games and STEM skills

Video games can also benefit a kid academically. Executive functioning skills like paying attention, planning and organizing, can also be nurtured by certain games. "Some games are quite intricate and really require you to plan ahead," says Ponti.

Research out of Europe that surveyed the parents and teachers of over 3,000 kids age six to 11 (and also included a self-assessment by the kids) found that children who played video games for five or more hours a week were likely to have better intellectual functioning and academic achievement and fewer problems with their peers. (It also failed to find a negative connection between playing video games and mental health concerns.)

"Games can also help kids build skills in coding, math, logic, design," says Turliuk. She notes that besides the obvious route of a career in gaming (the eSports market is estimated to surpass $1 billion in worldwide revenue this year while in Canada, the video game industry contributed $3.7 billion to our economy in 2017), video games can be the "first-point of contact towards careers in computer programming, engineering, design." And considering that STEM careers are among the most in-demand, and highest paid around, playing video games could literally pay off big time for your kid.

While video games have the potential to be a positive influence in your kid's life, Ponti is quick to note that children don't need to play them. This is particularly true for kids under five. Canadian screen time recommendations say kids ages two to four should have less than an hour of screen time a day, and that it should be avoided altogether for kids under two.

The biggest problem with any form of screen time is that it can displace other activities kids need to grow up strong and healthy. Ponti notes that after your kid has attended school, met their personal needs including bathing and eating, and gotten the recommended amount of sleep and physical activity, they may only have an hour or less of free time available.

"Video gaming and screen time are a privilege that is to be earned after those other healthy activities have been completed," says Ponti.

It's also important to be involved in your kids' digital lives-including knowing what they are playing and when-and to familiarize yourself with the parental and privacy controls associated with the systems and games your child uses. The tech that allows for social benefits of multi-player games can also put your children at risk of exposure to hateful language, inappropriate images and even online predators. "Don't allow kids to play with anonymous users," says Turliuk. Thankfully, most online, multi-player games allow you to set up private profiles and restrict interactions to only playing with other known, approved accounts. (YouTube has tutorials for setting those up.)

Signs that your kid might need less (or even no) video game time include having trouble turning the game off, acting out following the end of a gaming session, complaining about being bored or unhappy when not gaming or if you find that gaming interferes with your child's ability to sleep, eat or-super-importantly-socialize in real life.

Best types of video games for kids

Ready to allow video games into your child's life but feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options out there? Ponti recommends starting with what your kid is interested in (Sports? Fantasy? Puzzles?), then talking to other parents to learn what they allow in their household and what pitfalls they've encountered. While Ponti doesn't recommend one specific technology over another, note that for younger children, transitioning away from a device can be particularly problematic, meaning any device that you can't easily monitor, such as a tablet, might lead to more clashes than a TV-based gaming system, where you can more easily spot a potential transition point.

She encourages games that involve multiple players and that encourage movement as part of their game play, or that might inspire kids to get outside and play a sport. "What we don't want are kids sitting alone in a basement, by themselves."

You can check out Common Sense Media, for an updated look at some of the best games out there for kids as well as in-depth reviews on games for all ages. Ponti says Media Smarts is a great Canadian resource for all digital and media literacy and notes the Canadian Paediatric Society also has online resources.

Before purchasing or downloading any game, review the product's rating. Almost all console and computer game are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board and for kids under 10, you'll want to look for an "E for Everyone." Tablet and smart phone games are also often rated however these can be heavily influenced by the game's developer, so it's best for you to actually play those games before you let your kids have access.

Turliuk is a big fan of Minecraft, which she notes is even used in classrooms around the world. In addition to potentially inspiring kids' interest in STEM topics, the game is great at teaching essential computer skills. While we tend to think of modern kids as tech-savvy, Turliuk says, "A lot of kids these days don't know how to type or use a mouse." With Minecraft, kids are forced to do such basic tasks as typing and using folders, skills that are crucial for post-secondary and white-collar careers. For this same reason, you may want to consider giving your kids access to games that are played on a laptop or desktop.

In Ju-Hong's household, her kids have access to tablets, but her son's favourite system is by far his Nintendo Switch, due to its ability to connect him to his friends. The Switch also links to the TV, allowing for the family's Just Dance sessions and making it a device that Ju-Hong recommends for others. The gaming system is also Common Sense Media's top pick for families with pre-tween kids, because of its social nature and strong parental controls.

As for her son's video game-inspired dance, it received the biggest cheers of all of the performances at the talent show. It also gave Ju-Hong another reason to cheer on video games and their surprisingly beneficial impacts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The surprising benefits of video games for kids - Today's Parent

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Last school year, nine-year-old Elijah did something his family would never have expected: he got up in front of the whole school and danced in the talent show. Never mind that the moves were inspired by victory dances that take place in the video game .

# data[].attributes.headline
Yes, Video Games are Good...for Your Mind and Body - luca :)

# data[].attributes.subject
Yes, Video Games are Good...for Your Mind and Body - luca :)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Believe it not, scientific research confirms video games are good for you ( video games are sports, after all).

In fact, while several studies support the findings, one from the University of Oxford has countered fears that gaming could be harmful to mental health; concluding that "Time spent playing video games doesn't affect people's well-being.

I know, it's hard to wrap your head around such a statement after years of listening to "don't sit too close to the TV, you'll ruin your eyes," or "stop wasting your time playing video games-go outside!"

But yes, real research from credible sources has shown that a lot of what makes video games fun, is also good for your health-both for the brain and the body.

Why video games are good for you

1. They exercise the brain

Let's face it; playing video games is often thought of as an activity that promotes a sedentary lifestyle, not one that exercises the brain.

But there have been studies that suggest that video games can be beneficial for improving cognitive functions, such as memory, problem-solving, and multitasking.

Thus, video games can help you stay mentally sharp, increase your creativity, and even reduce stress.

Think of them as brain-gym workouts that are fun, engaging, and offer various cognitive benefits.

Research titled " Association of Video Gaming With Cognitive Performance Among Children" involving over 2,200 children discovered that "...Compared with NVGs, VGs were found to exhibit better cognitive performance involving response inhibition and working memory as well as altered BOLD signal in key regions of the cortex responsible for visual, attention, and memory processing." (NVGs here stands for "non-video gamers" and "VG" for "video gamers.")

And according to Dr. Michael Manos, "Like stimulants, video gaming can increase gray matter in the brain...Gray matter provides interconnectivity and allows parts of your brain to communicate with other parts of your brain and advance your self-perception."

Another main study, conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus in Berlin, Germany, found that playing video increases gray matter and helps refine learned and hardwired skills.

In layman's terms, playing video games directly affects and impacts regions of the brain responsible for memory, spatial orientation, information organizations, and fine motor skills.

The study also reinforces the claim that, like exercise, playing games for as little as 30 minutes a day, can improve your life. (Read here for other video game trivia and gaming facts.)

Diving into this particular study, to determine how video games affect the brain, scientists selected two groups of adults. The first group would play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day, for two months. The second group did not play any video games at all. Scientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the size of the brain of the groups before the start of the study, then again after the two-month period.

The results confirmed previous findings-that there were differences in the brain structure of video gamers, and that by playing video games, there was a "direct link between video gaming and a volumetric brain increase."

Simone Kühn, the senior scientist at the Center for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, led the study. She claims, "While previous studies have shown differences in brain structure of video gamers, the present study proves that specific brain regions can be trained by means of video games."

By the same token, scientists believe those with mental disabilities (or whose brains had been reduced in size by an accident or medical condition) or others affected by brain disease like Alzheimer's, could benefit from playing video games as well.

With their subjects, scientists saw increases in three major areas of the brain: the prefrontal cortex, the right hippocampus, and the cerebellum.

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for decision making, social behavior, personality, and cognitive planning. It makes sense, then, that this area of the brain is affected by playing Super Mario 6 4, a game which requires gamers to plan ahead and contemplate how to use and interact with objects in a virtual world.

The right hippocampus plays an important role in how we process and consolidate information, including short-term and long-term memory. Scientists saw growth here too, caused by players using this part of the brain to navigate Mario's world.

Finally, the cerebellum was also affected-it's the part of the brain that controls fine motor skills or muscular activity. Again, no surprise that it grew as well, since this part of the brain helps you quickly assess and respond to things happening around you-in this case, using a gamepad to move Mario at a moment's notice, or to press the "jump" button at just the right time.

As you might imagine, the results were more pronounced in those gamers who truly invested themselves in the gaming, and had a strong desire to beat the game or figure out the difficulties of a certain level.

And, it's not just Super Mario 64-Scientists suggest fast-paced action games and simulations (like sports games and first-person shooters) help improve hand-eye coordination, and could also be used to help disabled patients as a type of digital therapy. (Read more for a list of video game genres.)

Before moving on, think about this-if an action game like Super Mario 64 signals positive benefits for players, games built specifically to train, test, and challenge the brain must be beneficial too, right?

Well, since their introduction in the early 2000's, logic games or brain games have had a love/hate relationship with the scientific community, mainly because of the claims video game publishers have made about these titles.
Top Video Game Skills Gained from Playing
For instance, such claims tout that, for just a few minutes a day, you can train your brain using video games-and in some cases, that these games will make you smarter.

While that second point of the statement has been debated, what's not being questioned is that brain games aren't a complete waste of time. Because really, anything that engages your brain and makes you think is good practice. There are a ton of brain games online and more available for your gaming platform of choice.

Other brain game benefits include helping players get better with repeated tasks, and they also provide mental stimulation-something that doctors highly recommend, especially for older adults and the elderly.

2. They help with real world problem-solving

Video games can also be helpful when it comes to problem-solving in the real world. With their engaging and interactive stories, challenging puzzles, and immersive virtual worlds, games can provide players with the skills and confidence needed to tackle the toughest of problems.

By teaching players how to think strategically and creatively, games help develop the necessary skills to solve real-world problems. Whether it's a difficult math challenge or a complex business decision, games can provide the perfect training ground.

In lighter terms, a game that challenges you to navigate strange jungles or winding mazes may help enhance your ability to navigate everyday surroundings!

"When you're watching a video game, you've got to pay attention to every little thing that comes into your visual field and react to it...Being able to visually contrast and tell the difference between one thing and another is also a skill that can be developed by playing video games," said Dr. Manos in the same article referenced above.

What's more, an older study by Iowa State University supports the problem-solving benefit of video games. In a survey involving a group of surgeons, university researchers discovered that those who played video games were quicker with advanced procedures and made 37% fewer mistakes than people who didn't.

This overview of commercial video games in 2020 also suggests that different video games enhance different cognitive functions. Similarly, a study published in 2013 showed that children who played strategy-based games displayed an improvement in problem-solving and tended to get better grades in school.

And yes, there is more!

Games can also teach problem-solving and strategy, making them valuable tools for kids and teens.

For instance, Minecraft offers a number of educational benefits, like teaching kids how to use objects to explore environments and solve problems, while games like Civilization and SimCity teach problem-solving on a more "global" level.

In SimCity, players lay out and plan a city, and must think ahead to consider how something like the tax rate may help or hurt the growth of their city, or how street planning and certain zones may impact growth.

The game also teaches resource management and planning on a basic level, and it does a nice job of explaining these concepts to younger gamers. Learning and developing these types of strategies can be directly applicable to life as well.

Last, an indirect benefit is the fact that several video games are based on real historical events, and can encourage kids to find out more about the world that came before them through research and reading.

3. They exercise the body

How else are video games good for you? While they can "make your brain bigger," they can also help you shrink the waistline, for starters.

Exergames like Ring Fit Adventure (which Gamespot says "...is undoubtedly the best fitness game on the market today") have experienced a huge resurgence in the last ten years thanks to companies like Nintendo and Konami. Not to mention those not specifically focused on fitness (load up a session of Dance Dance Revolution and stomp out a dance routine to see what I mean).

Exergames and fitness video games have revolutionized exercising in surprisingly positive ways.

Really, it's the convenience that makes such games so appealing, as they offer an easy way to "get to the gym" without physically going to the gym. And for kids and parents with busy schedules, such games provide a quick way to get in 30 minutes of activity and exercise.

These types of games get players up and moving, helping with circulation, joint flexibility, coordination, and balance (as we will dive into next). And thanks to technology, many of these same games track your progress - through your number of repetitions - and even help you set goals to keep you motivated-all without the commitment of a gym membership.

4. They offer other physical benefits

Beyond exercise, video games can also help in the areas of hand-eye coordination, balance, and coordination, or even improved visual acuity,

For example, video games can improve your eyesight. A study by the University of Rochester proved video games improve vision by making gamers more responsive to different shades of color. The same study, funded by the National Eye Institute and the Office of Naval Research, found that players of action games - like first-person shooters - had better perception of color contrast.

Additionally, video games have been proven to improve fine-motor skills in preschoolers, and a study published in the medical journal PLOS One found that surgeons who played video games - more specifically, the Nintendo Wii - became better surgeons! By playing games, they improved their hand-eye coordination and precise muscle movement-both essential skills for their practice.

5. They help you destress

To round things out, video games can also be great for destressing.

That is, when we're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, playing a video game can be a great way to take our minds off our worries and focus on something more enjoyable. They provide a great distraction from the stressors of everyday life and help us relax and feel better. From fighting evil forces in an epic battle to exploring new virtual worlds, video games can be a rewarding experience!

Great, so play as much as possible?

So yes, video games are actually good for you on many levels. Of course, we must add, like anything, to maintain such benefits, games should be consumed in moderation. Staying up all night, every single night, to fight off zombies? Maybe not the best thing for your health.

Want one more beneficial aspect of video games?

Learning the skills needed to create your own game can give kids and teens a leg up when it comes to securing dream internships and lucrative jobs down the road.

With a program like iD Tech, students enter their sessions as pure video game players, and end their week with the knowledge and skills required to become video game creators.

Learn more about iD Tech summer video game summer camps and online learning for kids and teens.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Are Video Games Good For You? Why Games are Beneficial for Brain & Body

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Yes, real research from credible sources has shown that playing video games actually does have health benefits-both for the brain and the body. Learn how.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Given the thorough integration of social media into the lives of the majority of American teens, it is no surprise that these sites play an important role in the establishment of friendships and the everyday back and forth of peer relationships. This chapter takes an in-depth look at the role of social media in teens' friendships, looking at teen friendships more broadly defined.

Social media is an important venue for interaction and conversation among America's youth. Fully 76% of all teens use social media. Facebook is the dominant platform, with 71% of all teens using it. Instagram and Snapchat also have become increasingly important, with 52% of teens using Instagram and 41% using Snapchat. One-third of American teens use Twitter and another third use Google Plus. Fewer teens use Vine or Tumblr.

Social media plays a critical role in connecting teens to new friends, allowing teens to learn more about new friends and get to know them better. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of teens who have made a new friend online say they have met new friends on a social media platform. Two-thirds (62%) of teens say they've shared their social media username with a brand new friend as a way to stay in touch.

Beyond making new friends, social media is major way that teens interact with their existing friends. More than nine-in-ten teens (94%) say they spend time with friends on social media. Fully 30% say they spend time with friends on social media every day, and another third (37%) say they do so every few days. When asked to rank the ways they communicate with friends, social media sites like Facebook or Twitter are one of the top ways of communicating with friends for two-thirds (66%) of teens.

As discussed earlier in the report, social media is a critical platform for making and staying in touch with friends. Given this, and the frequency with which many teens use social media, it is not surprising that teen social media users report that social media makes them feel better connected to their friends' feelings and to information about what is going on in their friends' lives. More than eight-in-ten (83%) social media-using teens say social media makes them more connected to information about what is happening in their friends' lives and 70% say these social platforms better connect them to their friends' feelings.

Girls who use social media are more likely than boys to say they are "a lot" better connected to information about their friends' lives (40% vs. 26% boys) and their friends' feelings (24% vs. 16% of boys) thanks to social media.

While teens of all races and ethnicities are equally likely to feel more connected to information about what's going on in their friends' lives through social media, black youth are more likely to say they feel "a lot" more connected. Hispanic teens are more likely than whites to say they feel more connected to friends' feelings through social media, with 78% of Hispanic youth saying this compared with 65% of white youth.

Smartphones offer near constant access to friends and for social media users, their friends' online postings. Not surprisingly, teens who have access to smartphones and use social media are more likely to report that they feel "a lot" more connected to what's happening in their friends lives than teens without a smartphone. While both groups are equally likely to say they feel more connected to friends through their social media use, 36% of smartphone owners say they feel "a lot" better connected to friends while a quarter (25%) of teens without smartphone access report the same degree of connectedness.

Teens from our focus groups told us that they appreciate the way social media keeps them in the loop with friends. One high school boy explained, "One good thing to come out it is you can find out what your friends do and check on them if you're not there. So like find out who they hooked up with and what they did..."

Teens also enjoy the way social media better connects them to more people. As one high school boy said, "And you can talk to people a lot more often 'cause you don't need to see them in person."

Nearly nine-in-ten social media-using teens believe people overshare on these platforms

Even as teens often feel better connected to friends' feelings and information about their lives through social media, they also report that they are sometimes too connected to their friends' lives. Fully 88% of social media-using teens agree that people share too much information about themselves on social media, with 35% agreeing strongly. These data hold true regardless of which social media platforms teens use.

Teens from rural areas are more likely to agree strongly that people share too much information about themselves on social media than their urban or suburban counterparts, with 46% of rural teens strongly agreeing, compared with 31% of suburban teens and 39% of urban youth.

Social media not only connects teens to information and friends, but also connects them to opportunities for social support from their friends, peers and broader social networks. Among teens, 68% have received support on social media during challenges or tough times.

Following adult gender patterns around asking for and receiving social support on social media, girls are more likely to report receiving such support on social media, with nearly three-quarters (73%) of girls garnering support, compared with 63% of social media-using boys.

When examining overall support on social media during tough times, white social media-using teens are more likely than Hispanic teens to report receiving support on the platforms. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of white teens who use social media receive support for tough times on these platforms, while 59% of Hispanics receive similar encouragement. Digging down into the data, black teens who use social media are just as likely overall as white and Hispanic teens to garner support on social media in these situations. Still, they are more likely than white youth who use social media to say they receive that support frequently - with 28% of black teens reporting frequent support, while 15% of white teens report similar boosting from their online network during tough times.

Social media-using teens from households with more modest incomes are more likely than teens from the wealthiest families to say people frequently support them through challenges on social media. While 23% of teens from families earning less than $50,000 annually say they frequently have people supporting them on social media, 14% of teens from families earning more than $75,000 per year report frequent support.

Smartphone users are more likely than teens without access to smartphones to say people support them through challenges or tough times through social media. Fully 71% of smartphone-using teens who use social media say people support them through tough times on those platforms, while 58% of teens without a smartphone say the same.

Even as social media connects teens to friends' feelings and experiences in ways both positive and excessive, that same sharing can reveal events and activities to which teens weren't invited, and can lead to negative comparisons between their own lives and the lives of those they are connected to on social media.

53% of social media-using teens have seen people posting to social media about events to which they were not invited

A bit more than half (53%) of social media-using teens have witnessed others posting to social media about gatherings, events or parties that they weren't invited to. Most teens don't experience this very often, with the bulk of teens (42%) saying it happens occasionally and just 11% saying it happens frequently.

Teens from households with more highly educated parents are more likely to say they haven't been invited to events they later saw posted on social media. Two-thirds (65%) of teen social media users with parents with a college education or more say they've seen postings for events they weren't invited to, as have half (50%) of teens whose parents have completed some college and 47% of teens whose parents have a high school diploma or less.

Most teens don't feel worse about their lives based on what they see from others on social media

Social media exposes teens and adults to information about the lives of their friends. Given what we know about how teens curate and manage information posted to their social media platforms, some profiles post a highlight reel of individual lives, rather than a fuller picture of ups and downs. And while some youth feel worse about their own lives because of what they see on friends' social media postings, the majority of teen social media users say they generally do not feel bad about their lives based on what they see on these platforms.

More than three-quarters (78%) of teens say they do not feel worse about their own lives based on what others post to social media, while 21% of teens say they do. Among those who do feel worse about their lives based on what they see on social media, most do not feel this particularly acutely; 17% say they feel "a little" worse and 4% say they feel "a lot" worse.

Hispanic youth are somewhat more likely to report that they feel worse about their own lives because of social media

More than a quarter (28%) of Hispanic teens report feeling worse about their lives because of social media postings, significantly more than the 12% of black youth who feel this way. The difference between these two groups and the 21% of white teens who say they feel worse is not statistically significant.

Teens as well as adults spend time curating and planning how to present themselves in online social spaces. Adults have often admonished teens to think carefully about what they post and share online, and in many cases, teens have taken this to heart. Online profiles and presence are constructed things for youth. With this need to be careful comes a need to present themselves to multiple audiences - to be authentic and compelling to peers and to simultaneously present a potentially sanitized and appropriate digital persona to adults like parents, teachers, future employers and college admissions officers.

Teens struggle to balance the needs of their different audiences and it shows in the pressures they experience and the attitudes they express about how their peers present themselves.

A large majority of teen social media users agree that people get to show different sides of themselves on social media that they cannot show offline

Some 85% of teen social media users agree that people get to show different sides of themselves on social media that they cannot show offline. This sentiment is consistent across most major demographic groups.

Teens with access to smartphones are also more likely to say people show different sides of themselves on social media, with 88% of smartphone owners agreeing with that statement, compared with 76% of teens without a smartphone.

In one of our focus groups, a high school girl explains what she considers a positive side of social media: "It allows you to show, like, a different side of yourself. ... I mean, you can talk about different things. If you're in person with them, you can joke around. But then like if you're texting with them or talking about something serious, you can talk about serious things and politics and stuff, and it shows a different side of yourself that you might not talk about with them in person."

Roughly three-quarters of teens think people are less authentic and real on social media than they are offline

Even as teens have the opportunity to share parts of themselves on social media that they can't share in person, those same self-presentations don't always feel authentic to their peers. Roughly three-quarters (77%) of social media-using teens agree people are less authentic and real on social media than they are offline.

Again, there are few major differences among different groups of teens in their agreement with this statement.

Many teens feel pressure to curate positive and well-liked content

While a majority of teens do not feel pressure to post content that makes them look good to others (such as parents or peers), 40% of teens do report feeling pressure to post positive and attractive content about themselves. The bulk of teens (30%) report feeling "a little" pressure, while just 10% say they feel "a lot" of pressure.

Teens with more highly educated parents are substantially more likely than teens who have parents with less education to report pressure to only post content that makes them look good. More than half (54%) of social media-using teens whose parents have a college degree or more report such pressure, while about of third of teens whose parents have some college experience or a high school diploma or less say the same. The bulk of teens whose parents have a college degree (42%) report feeling the pressure "a little" - just 12% feel "a lot" of pressure to post only positive content about themselves to social media. There are no significant differences between boys and girls, different ages or races and ethnicities in feeling this pressure.

Teens who are generally more interactive with others in a digital space - using it to make friends or play games with people they have never met - are all more likely to feel pressure to only post content that makes them look good to others.

Many teens want to be liked by friends and peers and that extends to digital "likes" as well.

In addition to the pressure some teens feel to post content that makes them look good, teens also feel pressure to post content that others like and comment on. Similar to the percentage of teens who feel pressure to post content that makes them look good, 39% of teens on social media say they feel pressure to post content that will be popular and get lots of comments or likes.

One middle school girl in our focus groups explained the pressure to post cool content to Instagram and how that led to the end of a friendship: "So it's on Instagram. In my school, it's like so you post quality pictures, I guess, and that makes you cool. I don't know. It's like a lot of girls have ... they buy cameras just to do this - expensive cameras. So anyway, I guess K was accusing C of like being too much like her, and one of the reasons was because C was posting pictures. So she would edit her pictures like in such a way that it would look cool. ... I don't know how to describe it. It's just a quality cool thing, I guess. So like they lost their friendship, and part of the reason was because of her social media account."

Teens with more highly educated parents are more likely to report feeling pressure to post content that will garner likes or comments on social media. Nearly half (47%) of teens with parents with a college degree or more report feeling such pressure, while just 36% of teens whose parents have some college experience and 35% of teens whose parents have a high school diploma or less report feeling pressure to post well-liked content.

However, there are no differences between boys and girls, younger and older teens, or those of different racial or ethnic backgrounds when it comes to feeling pressure around posting content that others will like or comment on.

Teens who feel pressure to post content that garners likes or comments frequently feel that they must post only content that makes them look good. Fully 59% of teens who feel "a lot" of pressure to post popular content feel similarly pressured to post content that makes them look good to others.

42% of teens have had someone post things about them that they cannot change or control; older teens and white teens are especially likely to report this

The pressure to post content that others like and find appealing may be, in part, to counteract another challenge that teens and adults face on social media platforms: People posting content about them that they cannot control. Some 42% of teen social media users experience people posting things about them that they can't change or control, with 9% indicating that this happens to them "frequently."

Older teen social media users are more likely to say they've experienced this: 46% of teens ages 15 to 17 say they've had people posting things about them that they can't change, compared with just over a third (35%) of teens ages 13 to 14. Broadly, there are no differences between boys and girls in their likelihood of having people posting things about them that they can't change or control.

White teen social media users are more likely than Hispanic teens to report that people have posted things about them that they can't control: 45% of white teens have experienced this, as have 32% of Hispanic teens. The 38% of black youth who have experienced this is not significantly different than white or Hispanic teens. All groups, but especially white teens, are likely to say this happens occasionally rather than frequently.

Among social media-using teens, those with more highly educated parents are more likely than teens with parents with lower levels of educational attainment to experience people posting things about them that they can't change or control. Nearly half (48%) of social media-using teens whose parents have a college degree or more say content has been posted about them on social media that they can't control, while 38% of teens whose parents have a high school diploma or less report similar experiences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Given the thorough integration of social media into the lives of the majority of American teens, it is no surprise that these sites play an important role

# data[].attributes.body
CLICK ON LINK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
video games help children improve literacy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Video games help children improve literacy, communication and mental well-being, survey finds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Parents have long debated the impact of video games on children's minds. Now, a new survey suggests that playing may actually improve their literacy, communication skills and overall mental well-being.

# data[].attributes.headline
Social Media Helps Educate Teens on Disability

# data[].attributes.subject
Social Media Helps Educate Teens on Disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
YouTube users create visibility for life with a disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out more about our views on keeping wild animals in captivity, including the environments where we believe wild animals shouldn't be kept.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This piece is a response to "The Modern Zoo" from the May 2008 issue of Teen Ink. I volunteer at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and have gotten to know its keepers, veterinary staff, and other workers. According to the writer of "The Modern Zoo," staff torture animals, do not provide adequate living space, and keep the animals merely to entertain. In my three years of volunteering, I have never seen, nor had any reason to suspect, any foul play at my zoo. The allegations in "The Modern Zoo" that all zoos are inhumane and cruel is false, I believe.

According to the article in Teen Ink, "Zoos claim to educate visitors. Yet we've all seen the one-sentence signs that describe monkeys. What can be learned from this? Certainly not enough to justify inhumane captivity." One-sentence signs are not the end of zoos' efforts to educate. At my zoo an entire department is devoted to educating the public about conservation of animals and our planet. If zoos didn't care about education, why would they have this? While exhibits may display signs with brief information, staff work daily at the zoo to educate visitors about conservation and other critical topics.

Some zoo employees visit schools and businesses to educate the public about how to be more responsible with our environment. This department even organizes conservation projects around Ohio, such as the community effort to remove waste from Big Creek. Volunteers spent a day restoring the creek to a more healthy ecosystem. The zoo is also part of a national conservation campaign called Year of the Frog, dedicated to saving amphibian species from extinction. Zoos put forth tremendous effort to educate people, and to say that they do not is just not true in my experience.

"Zoo animals endure inadequate living conditions with no space," claims the article. It's not fair to make this generalization. My own zoo, for example, is planning a one-of-a-kind, spacious exhibit for its elephants. The exhibit encompasses many acres, and will be large enough to support a breeding population. If zoos didn't care about adequate space for their animals, why would they waste time raising millions of dollars to build this type of exhibit? Also, my zoo cares a lot for its animals; it houses the second oldest hippo in North America and its polar bears are twice the age of those in the wild.

I witnessed a life-saving surgery on a 13-year-old wolf. Veterinarians worked for two hours to save his life. Thirteen is very old for a wolf. Zoos do care for their animals, and do what they can to keep them strong and healthy.

"These animals are simply meant to entertain," claims "The Modern Zoo." That too is false. At the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, animals are never forced to do anything for the sake of visitors' entertainment. We believe in positive animal/ human interaction. Zoo staff never force or coerce an animal due to this policy.

The author of "The Modern Zoo" is obviously very passionate in his opinion about zoos. I am also very passionate. I have not written this to personally attack him. Rather, I am simply stating facts. "The Modern Zoo" paints zoos as cruel, inhumane facilities, but it is both unfair and untrue to claim this about all of them. Many have state-of-the-art veterinary facilities and work hard to save endangered species.

I hope that readers will see that zoos seek to protect and save endangered species, as well as educate and encourage the public to do the same.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This piece is a response to "The Modern Zoo" from the May 2008 issue of Teen Ink. I volunteer at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and have gotten to know its keepers, veterinary staff, and other workers. According to the writer of "The Modern Zoo," staff torture animals, do not provide adequate living space, and keep the animals merely to entertain.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
n a few days, a pair of two-year-old cheetahs, Saba and Nairo, will depart from the UK on a remarkable journey. The brothers will be taken from Howletts Wild Animal Park, in Kent, and flown to South Africa to begin a new life - in the wild.

It will be the first time that cheetahs born in captivity have left the UK for rewilding in Africa, says Damian Aspinall, who runs Howletts. "There are only about 7,000 cheetahs left on the planet and they are listed as vulnerable," he says. "This reintroduction - to a reserve in Mount Camdeboo, in south of the country - is important because it will help to support the small population of cheetahs we have left in the wild."

And the process of releasing animals from his wildlife parks is likely to continue unabated, adds Aspinall. He now campaigns vigorously for a sharp acceleration in the return of all captive animals to the wild and, ultimately, the closure of all zoos and wildlife parks in the UK - including his own.

"We have no moral right as a species to let animals suffer just because we are curious about them," he says.

The day of the zoo is over, he claims - and his views are reflected by other critics who view wildlife parks andanimalcollections as anachronisms that should be phased out of existence over the coming 25 years.

Yet zoos are a major part of British culture. About 30 million visits are made to animal collections every year, according to the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Some of these outfits are small and isolated - and occasionally fall foul of local authorities for their mistreatment of animals. On the other hand, some larger institutions, such as London or Chester zoos - are well-run and, according to supporters, justify their existence for three clear reasons: education, research and conservation.

According to this argument, revealing the wonders of our planet's wildlife to the public, and investigating the biology of these animals in order to help them return to nature provide zoos with valid reason to exist. In a world beset by climate change, habitat loss and soaring human numbers, zoos provide protection for the world's endangered species.

David Attenborough argues that aquariums, such as this one in Dubai, are more successful than zoos at conserving species in captivity. Photograph: John Kellerman/Alamy Stock Photo

So who is right? Is there any justification, today, for keeping wild animals in captivity? Are zoos good for the planet's threatened creatures - or are they relics of past cruel attitudes to wildlife?

One argument is that zoos educate visitors, particularly younger ones, about the wonders of the planet's wildlife. But Chris Draper of Born Free, the international charity that campaigns against keeping wild animals in captivity, disagrees. "Today, people get more from a TV nature documentary than they will ever get from seeing animals in zoos. In captivity, an elephant or a giraffe is out of its natural environment and probably in an unnatural social grouping. Television or the internet are much better resources for understanding animals than a zoo."

Aspinall agrees. "David Attenborough's programmes are far more educational than a day trip to a zoo," he says. And you can see their point. Attenborough's last series, Seven Worlds, One Planet, was made up of typically stunning material - dramatic close-ups of gentoo penguins fleeing leopard seals, pumas in pursuit of guanacos, and Barbary macaques in high-level chases after infant kidnappers. It was exhilarating, informative - and surely ideal for getting people hooked on animals.

But Attenborough flatly disagrees and is emphatic that his documentaries cannot compare to seeing the real thing. Only the sight of a creature in the flesh can give us a true understanding of its nature, he says.

"There is no way you can appreciate the quiddity of an elephant except by seeing one at close quarters," he told the Observer. "People ought to be able to see what an animal looks like. And smells like. And sounds like. I think that is quite important. Actually, very important."

Education certainly justifies a well-run zoo's existence, he insists. On the other hand, Attenborough acknowledges that some animals fare better than others in zoos. "Modern aquariums are particularly successful, with their vast ceiling-high tanks in which you can see whole communities of different species of fish living together. They are absolutely fabulous."

By contrast, polar bears, big raptors and large hunting mammals like lions are not suitable for being kept in zoos, says Attenborough. "I certainly agree with Mr Aspinall in saying you should not have lions in zoos - unless they were becoming endangered in the wild, which, of course is now becoming a real risk."

Damian Aspinall, chairman of the Aspinall Foundation, plans to close the charity's zoos. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

And the same goes for conservation, he adds. "Breeding programmes for animals that are on the verge of extinction are of incredible importance. If it was not for zoos, there would be no Arabian oryx left in the world, for example."

The Arabian oryx was hunted to extinction in the wild by 1972 but was later reintroduced - originally with animals from San Diego safari park - to Oman. Further reintroductions have since taken place in Saudi Arabia and Israel and iIt is estimated that there are now more than 1,000 Arabian oryx in the wild.

Other species reintroduced to the wild using zoo-bred animals include the European bison and Przewalski's horse. But that is about it, argues Aspinall. "Only a very small number of animals held by European zoos have been the subject of release projects, and third of those species were not rated as threatened," he says. Instead, zoos are cluttered with unthreatened species put there purely to entertain the public: otters and meerkats are common examples.

However, zoo officials reject the idea that their rewilding successes are limited and point to other examples of successfully returning zoo-bred animals to the wild - for example, the Mauritius kestrel. In 1974 only four of these beautiful raptors were known to exist in the wild. It had become the world's rarest bird thanks to habitat loss, introduction of non-native predators, and widespread use of DDT and other pesticides on the island.

A rescue plan was launched by a number of organisations, including the Durrell wildlife park and London Zoo, in a bid to save the Mauritius kestrel from extinction in the wild. "The invasive crab-eating macaque was a particular problem," says Gary Ward, curator of birds at London Zoo. "It had arrived in Mauritius from Asia and was stealing eggs from kestrel nests. So we designed nesting boxes that were longer than a macaque's arm, so they couldn't reach in to snatch eggs. The birds then had a safe place to bring up their young."

Gentoo penguin and Mauritius kestrel

Nesting boxes, in combination with other conservation measures, allowed numbers of Mauritius kestrels to rise to about 800 - although these have dipped slightly in recent years.

Other zoo-led rewilding successes have ranged from the spectacular, such as the Californian condor which was restored to the skies above the western US last century, thanks to the release of young birds bred in San Diego - to the minuscule, such as the return of the tiny partula snail, native to Huahine and Moorea in the Society Islands, French Polynesia, from populations bred in London, Edinburgh, Chester and Amsterdam zoos.

However, zoo opponents argue that these reintroductions remain infrequent and do not justify the keeping of other, unthreatened wild animals, a point taken up by Sam Threadgill of Freedom for Animals, which has campaigned for the abolition of zoos for several decades.

Together with Born Free, Freedom for Animals has studied zoos in England and Wales and concluded that only a small percentage of their animals are endangered species, and only about 15% are threatened.

"It is a simple fact that the vast majority of animals kept in zoos are not endangered or threatened and are there simply to provide public entertainment," he says.

Aspinall goes further. He maintains that many large mammals kept in zoos - lions, elephants, and rhinos, for example - are inbred or diseased or have the wrong genetic profiles to reintroduce to the wild, where they could further weaken wild populations already struggling to survive. "So why are they being 'arked' in the first place?" he asks.

The infrequency of releases of zoo-bred animals into the wild is acknowledged by Dominic Jermey, director general of the Zoological Society of London, but interpreted in a different way: "The truth is that many 'wild' areas are no longer viable habitats for animals - and reintroduction is much more complicated than people might realise. Many of the world's most threatened species are living in habitats degraded by agriculture, threatened by disease or hemmed into tiny areas with no way of reaching potential mates without coming into conflict with humans."

For his part, Aspinall points to conservation successes that he believes can be achieved with key endangered species without any input from zoos. First, he plans to gradually empty his two zoos - at Howletts and at Port Lympne, near Folkestone - and use these to help set up large groups of animals - gorillas, rhinos, lions and others - in protected reserves in Africa. "A particular animal would be given homes at several reserves so that if one got into trouble for some reason - civil war, for example - there would be other sources that could resupply the reserve once those troubles had been sorted."

The majority of animals in zoos are not endangered or threatened and are there simply to provide public entertainment.

Sam Threadgill, Freedom for Animals

Aspinall points to the example of the mountain gorilla. Their numbers had fallen to under 250 by the early 1980s. Today the population stands at 1,000. "This is in the country of Gabon, surrounded by aggressive habitat destruction, civil war and poaching - and all done without any captive breeding."

The crucial point of this plan is that animals would not be kept behind bars but left to roam in their homeland. And instead of money being spent on zoos, funds would go directly to conservation.

But the idea of closing zoos to boost funds for conservation is challenged by Mark Pilgrim, chief executive of Chester Zoo. His organisation has a total annual budget of £47m.

"That money is raised virtually entirely from people paying at our doors to get in," he says. "After you deduct our running costs and cash for new development, we have around £1.5m and that goes on conservation in the field - work that includes studies of chimpanzees in Nigeria and sun bears in Asia and a programme to reintroduce eastern black rhinos to Uganda. If we simply closed our doors, as some people have suggested, our funding of these conservation projects would come to an immediate halt."

He quotes as an example Nigeria's Gashaka Gumti national park, which houses the last reserve of the highly endangered Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee. "Chimpanzees here live in forests that are less dense and drier than where other members of the species live in other parts of Africa," says Andrew Moss, a lead conservation scientist at Chester. "Their diets are rich in insects, and we have found they are amazingly adept at making tools that are just right for getting a different type of insect.

"The crucial point is that if we had closed our gates at Chester, the research camp we support at Gashaka Gumti would have been badly hit and this crucial field work threatened."

Nor is it merely money for conservation work that makes zoos important, say supporters. Expertise built up in zoos is also crucial. Over the past few years, wild vulture populations in India and Nepal have crashed from about 40 million to a few thousand because of the use of diclofenac, a livestock anti-inflammatory drug that is highly poisonous to vultures who eat their carcasses.

"We have been closely involved in conservation work, and our expertise in building aviaries on site to protect the last few vultures - and in treating sick animals - has been tremendously useful," says Nic Masters, assistant director of wildlife health at London Zoo.

In the end, these efforts and other attempts at conservation may prove futile in a world challenged by climate change, habitat loss and swelling numbers of humans, as Draper argues. "Keeping alive a handful of the last of a sub-species starts to look like fool's errand because this tiny population is destined either to a life in captivity in perpetuity or to extinction. Neither of those two options is particularly attractive in anyone's book, I would say. The damage has been done."

This view is contested by scientists who still believe there is time to save species and who argue, strenuously, that zoos have a role to play as arks for threatened wildlife. This idea is backed by primatologist Jane Goodall, whose pioneering studies of chimpanzees in the wild have revealed the complex lives led by humanity's closest biological relatives.

"Groups who believe all zoos should be closed have not spent the time I have out in the wild," she once said. "They haven't seen the threats destroying chimpanzee habitat; they don't understand what it's like to watch a chimp struggle, wounded and lame from a wire snare. But I do."

The first zoo

Until the early 19th century, collections of exotic animals were usually owned by kings and queens and were symbols of royal power. This changed with the establishment of the Zoological Society of London in Regent's Park in 1828. This was the world's first scientific zoo and was intended to be a collection of unusual beasts for scientific study.

The camel enclosure at Regent's Park Zoological Gardens in 1835. Photograph: Heritage Images/Getty Images

The collection was eventually opened to the public in 1847. A couple of decades later, the music hall song Walking in the Zoo was made popular by Alfred Vance and is notable for first popularising, in Britain, the word "zoo" as a short form of "zoological gardens" in addition to the Americanism "O.K." in the song's chorus: "Walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo/The O.K. thing on Sunday is walking in the Zoo."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Cruel or kind? Education and conservation are cited as reasons for keeping wild animals in captivity, but many critics say zoos are outdated relics of a less enlightened era. We hear what both sides say

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scientists are known for making dramatic predictions about the future - and sinister robots are once again in the spotlight now that artificial intelligence has become a marketing tool for all sorts of different brands.

At the end of World War Two, it was stated that flying cars were just around the corner and that all energy problems would be solved by fusion energy by the end of the 20th century. But decades on, we don't seem much closer to either of those predictions coming true.

So what's with all this talk - fuelled by the likes of space baron, Elon Musk - about robots taking over the world?

Pessimists predict that robots will jeopardise jobs across the globe, and not only in industrial production. They claim robot journalists, robot doctors and robot lawyers will replace human experts. And, as a consequence of a melting down middle class, there will be mass poverty and political instability.

Optimists predict a new paradise where all the tedious problems of human relationships can be overcome by having a perfect life with easily replaceable robot partners, which will fulfil our basic needs as well as our deepest longings. And "work" will become an ancient concept.

The pessimists, however, can relax and the optimists need to cool their boots. As experts in the field of robotics, we believe that robots will be much more visible in the future, but - at least over the next two decades - they will be clearly recognisable as machines.

This is because there is still a long way to go before robots will be able to match a number of fundamental human skills. Here are five reasons why robots aren't about to take over the world.

1. Human-like hands

Scientists are far from replicating the complexity of human hands. The hands of robots that are used today in real applications are clumsy. The more sophisticated hands developed in labs are not robust enough and lack the dexterity of human hands.

2. Tactile perception

There is no technical match for the magnificent human and animal skin that encompasses a variety of tactile sensors. This perception is required for complex manipulation. Also, the software that processes the input from the sensors in robots is nowhere near as sophisticated as the human brain when it comes to interpretation and reaction to the messages received from the tactile sensors.

3. Control of manipulation

Even if we had artificial hands comparable to human hands and sophisticated artificial skin, we would still need to be able to design a way to control them to manipulate objects in a human-like way. Human children take years to do this and the learning mechanisms are not understood.

4. Human and robot interaction

The interaction between humans is built on well-functioning speech and object recognition systems, as well as other sensors such as smell and taste and tactile sensing. While there has been significant progress in speech and object recognition, today's systems can still only be used in rather controlled environments when a high degree of performance is required.

5. Human reason

Not all of what is technically possible needs to be built. Human reason could decide not to fully develop such robots, because of their potential harm to society. If, in many decades from now, the technical problems mentioned above are overcome so that complex human-like robots could be built, regulations could still prevent misuse.

Smooth out the edges

In our research project, SMOOTH, we design robots that we hope will operate in elderly care institutions by 2022. These robots will be used to solve repetitive tasks involving human and robot interaction, such as transporting laundry and waste, offering water to people or guiding them to the breakfast table.

Read more: Robot cities: three urban prototypes for future living

It was necessary to simplify the robots as well as to carefully select the tasks they perform to ensure that they can be commercially viable products within four years.

Our approach wasn't to solve the first three problems of human-like hands, tactile perception and control of manipulation, but to avoid those robotic roadblocks.

To address the fourth problem of human and robot interaction, we chose repetitive tasks to reduce complexity, since the expected interactions are - to a certain degree - predictable.

Robots are a reality today in industry and they will appear in public spaces in more complex shapes than robot vacuum cleaners. But in the next two decades, robots will not be human-like, even if they might look like humans. Instead they will remain sophisticated machines.

So you can stand down from any fear of a robot uprising in the near future.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Five reasons why robots won't take over the world

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Scientists are known for making dramatic predictions about the future - and sinister robots are once again in the spotlight now that artificial intelligence has become a marketing tool for all sorts of different brands.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Robots began replacing humans yesterday as Google showed off several new innovations* to take over everyday jobs, including making phone calls and driving cars.

In an amazing technology demonstration, the company showed how its digital assistant could pretend to be a human and talk over the phone so well that the person on the other phone had no idea they were talking to a machine.

Google unveiled* the technology at its annual conference, Google I/O. They also showed other artificial intelligence (AI) products that could write emails and drive cars.

But it was the phone calls made by machines pretending to be human that won gasps from the audience of 7000 people.

In two phone calls, the Google Assistant booked a haircut and tried to book a table at a restaurant, with the machine even mumbling "umm" and "mm-hmm" to appear more human. It could also adapt its answers when told the restaurant did not take bookings for fewer than five people.

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said the technology, called Duplex, was designed so humans no longer had to talk to other people on the phone.

"Our vision for our Assistant is to help you get things done. It turns out a big part of getting things done is making a phone call," he said.

"The amazing thing is that our system can actually understand the nuances* of conversation. We've been working on this technology for many years. It brings together all our investments over the years in natural language understanding, deep learning*, text-to-speech."

The technology was made more realistic thanks to the addition of six new voices in the Google Assistant that use new technology to sound "closer to how humans speak - the pitch*, the pace*, even all the pauses that convey meaning," Mr Pichai said.

One of those voices will include that of All of Me singer John Legend.

The technology doesn't warn recipients they are talking to a machine, but Google's Yaniv Leviathan said the company would "be experimenting with the right approach" before launch.
ANOTHER STORY YOU MAY LIKE: iPhone helps the deaf hear music
Mr Pichai also unveiled a new AI tool to automatically write emails for people, while Waymo's John Krafcik revealed plans to replace humans behind the steering wheel.

Waymo, a part of Google that uses self-driving car technology, will launch a fully autonomous* car service in Phoenix, in the US later this year that riders will be able to order as they would an Uber ride.

"Soon, everyone will be able to call Waymo using our app and a fully self-driving car will pull up with no one in the driver's seat to whisk them away to their destination," Mr Krafcik said. "And that's just the beginning."

The future of self-driving technology is uncertain after recent crashes, however, with technology from both Tesla and Uber under investigation.

Google also revealed its Google Assistant would soon ask users to add "pretty please" to their requests to encourage manners in "bossy and demanding" kids.
GLOSSARY
innovations: improvements

unveiled: revealed

nuances: fine details

deep learning: a type of artificial intelligence, or machine learning

pitch: highness or lowness of sound

pace: speed

autonomous: without human help

LISTEN TO TODAY'S STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. An innovation is something that is new or improved. List all of the new innovations that Google has created. For each innovation, write what is new or improved about it.

Time: Allow 20 minutes
Curriculum Links: Digital Technologies, English
Extension: In the story you have read about language and the things that make up human speech. Think about the ways that you can communicate without using words.

Create a script to tell a story. When you "tell" this story you can use anything except words.

Time: Allow 30 minutes
Curriculum Links: Drama
2. List all of the benefits (things that are good or helpful) of technology like the Google assistant that you can think of.

Then, list the disadvantages or problems that this technology could create.

Time: Allow 15 minutes
Curriculum Links: Digital Technologies
Extension: Do you think people should be warned when they are talking to technology, not a person? Give as many reasons as you can for your answer.

Time: Allow 20 minutes
Curriculum Links: Ethical capability VCOP ACTIVITY
With a partner see if you can you identify all the doing words/verbs in this text.

Highlight them in yellow and then make a list of them all down your page.

Now see if you and your partner can come up with a synonym for the chosen verb. Make sure it still makes the context it was taken from.

Try to replace some of the original verbs with your synonyms and discuss if any are better and why.
Curriculum Links: English, Big Write and VCOP IN ONE SENTENCE, TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS STORY
Please do not use one-word answers. Explain what you enjoyed or found interesting about the article. Use lots of adjectives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids News: Google's new AI replaces humans

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Robots began replacing humans yesterday as Google showed off several new innovations* to take over everyday jobs, including making phone calls and driving cars. In an amazing technology demonstration, the company showed how its digital assistant could pretend to be a human and talk over the phone so well that the person on the other phone had no idea they were talking to a machine.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Will Robots Take Our Children’s Jobs? (Published 2017)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Artificial intelligence may make half of today’s jobs obsolete in 20 years. What careers will be left when our children grow up?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Times have changed. As the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft, Ben Simmons will earn an annual salary of approximately $6 million - double that earned by David Robinson, the first player drafted in 1987, the year I was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While times have indeed changed, they also remain the same.

At last look, an estimated 60 percent of former NBA players go broke within five years of departing the league. And by no means are these financial problems confined to the NBA. A reported 78 percent of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or under financial stress just two years after retirement.

As the salaries of professional athletes across all sports grow larger, so, too, does the number of individuals seeking to prey on their successes and wealth. The reality is, athletes are targets the day they sign those contracts.

During my 16-year NBA career, I saw newly retired teammates lose everything to financial schemes and scams, dishonest or unqualified advisors, and reckless spending only a few years after leaving the league. Since starting a second career as a financial advisor more than a decade ago, I've seen this storyline repeat itself again and again - with high-net worth individual investors, as well.

Not a month goes by without seeing a headline describing the latest riches-to-rags story in professional sport.

For most athletes, there is no easy fix for a significant financial setback. Unlike virtually every other profession out there, an athlete's career earnings are compressed into just a handful of years. Time is not on the side of those who are undisciplined, unrealistic or too trusting. Careers are short, and savings must last for the rest of your life. Beating the odds requires a lot of work and discipline.

More from Investor Toolkit:
Too smart to get scammed? Think again
The world's 10 best-paid political leaders
Human advisors beat robo-advisors in these 4 ways

As we are in the midst of various draft seasons, here are some guidelines to offer new athletes and high-net-worth individuals that may help improve their journeys:

It's your money - own it. Athletes in their prime earning years can develop a detachment from their own money. Since so much is coming in so quickly, suddenly few purchases require more than a moment's consideration, so money stops being a real concern and becomes just a bunch of numbers on paper - until it's gone.

It's essential that high-net-worth individuals realize the tenuousness of their situations and just how vulnerable they are, even if they have advisors in place. Taking ownership of their money and keeping constant track of what their advisors are doing with it is the first step toward security.

Preserving capital can be as hard as obtaining it. Though we've become accustomed to the likes of Michael Jordan and Michael Strahan settling into second careers as endorsers, TV personalities and even team owners, most athletes won't be so lucky.

The simple truth is they won't have the opportunity to make money like this again. That's difficult for a young person to recognize when in the midst of living a dream. There are so many ways it can disappear: friends, family, lifestyle and constant pitches for can't-miss opportunities.

Athletes, as well as other high-net-worth individuals, must not only save - but also invest wisely - all while navigating the minefield of people looking to take advantage of them, because there likely won't be more coming in.

Risk and return are forever linked. High-profile clients are bombarded by constant pitches for potential business "opportunities" - often by trusted sources (I probably got pitched a "once in a lifetime" opportunity every month). It's important to realize that if a proposal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Anything offering a great return likely does so for a reason - usually, drastically increased risk.

Fees matter. As an individual investor, take the time to speak with your financial advisor to ensure that you are being kept abreast of everything that happens with your money. Small, unnecessary fees can easily be ignored in the moment but can make a big difference over time. Take the time to understand all the fees involved with a product or service.

For the overall portfolio, the fee conversation can be broader, but it's nonetheless important to break down exactly what your advisor is charging and why. This builds trust and reinforces the importance of keeping track of such matters.

Don't worry about what your teammates are invested in or how they live. I like to call this one "the MTV Cribs rule." Others may prefer "keeping up with the Joneses." We all feel that pressure to keep up with our neighbors. However, for professional athletes it's even more acute. Their salaries are public information, so there's an expectation that they maintain a certain lifestyle. And they're often surrounded by conspicuous spending.

However, clients must understand that they aren't living off one year's salary for just a year, like most people do. That one year of big pay often has to last for 60 years. Establishing sustainable long-term spending practices and settling into a manageable lifestyle is of the utmost importance.

The likelihood of an NCAA basketball player getting drafted by an NBA team hovers around 1 percent, which underscores the tremendous amount of skill, sacrifice, talent and determination it takes to make it. Even after overcoming these incredible odds, life after the NBA arrives much sooner than expected - the average career spans less than five years (and is even shorter in other major sports).

Despite these startling statistics, the hard work doesn't end when the ball stops bouncing. Financially, it's only just begun.
- By Chris Dudley, senior wealth advisor/director of sports and entertainment at Boston Private Wealth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Chris Dudley, senior wealth advisor and director of sports and entertainment at Boston Private Wealth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Money lessons learned from pro athletes' financial fouls

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Times have changed. As the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft, Ben Simmons will earn an annual salary of approximately $6 million - double that earned by David Robinson, the first player drafted in 1987, the year I was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
[What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.]
ALBANY - New York State lawmakers have agreed to impose a statewide ban on most types of single-use plastic bags from retail sales.

The ban, which is expected to be part of the state's budget bills that are slated to be passed by Monday, would forbid stores to provide customers with single-use plastic bags, which are nonbiodegradable and have been blamed for everything from causing gruesome wildlife deaths to thwarting recycling efforts.

The plan, proposed a year ago by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, would be the second statewide ban, after California, which banned bags in 2016. Hawaii also effectively has a ban in place, since all the state's counties bar such single-use bags.

New York's ban, which would begin next March, would have a number of carveouts, including food takeout bags used by restaurants, bags used to wrap deli or meat counter products and bags for bulk items. Newspaper bags would also be exempted as would garment bags.

The plan would have an additional element allowing counties to opt in to a 5-cent fee on paper bags, revenue that would then be used for the state's Environmental Protection Fund as well as a separate fund to buy reusable bags for consumers.

Supporters said that such a two-pronged approach - paper and plastic - was necessary not only to limit the flow of litter into the state's streets, streams and oceanfront, but also to minimize the greenhouse emissions caused by their production.

"There was a real understanding that there should be a ban on plastic," said Todd Kaminsky, a Democratic state senator from Nassau County, who is the chairman of the environmental conservation committee. "And that if people go to paper rather than reusables, we are not that better off."

A collection of cities and other localities have imposed fees on single-use carryout plastic bags, including Suffolk County, where such a plan led to a sharp reduction in their use.

Such a disincentive is also the goal of the state plan, said Mr. Kaminsky, whose hometown, Long Beach, N.Y., has such a program.

"I think we'll look back in a few years," he said. "And people will wonder why we didn't do this sooner."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Plastic Bags to Be Banned in New York State

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox .] ALBANY - New York State lawmakers have agreed to impose a statewide ban on most types of single-use plastic bags from retail sales.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's an inescapable fact of high-tech parenthood: Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+ now enjoy near-ubiquity amongst kids, teens and tweens. But is access to these forms of social media necessarily a negative? It all depends on how you look at it.

First, let's provide a brief definition: Social networks are dedicated online spaces where users share personalized content (photos, videos, text updates, etc.), and are designed specifically to facilitate direct or indirect interaction amongst members. Some require approvals from each party to be connected; others allow you to follow and observe others' activities and/or personal information without prior consent. All are immensely public areas of cyberspace.

Used properly, social networks can be a positive force, helping children meet, communicate and form lasting relationships with people from all nations, cultures and backgrounds. But they also amplify the speed at which information is shared, making it essential that kids comport themselves properly, and be cognizant of both the image and information that they're presenting to the world at large. A 2011 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics actually states that kids can enjoy many benefits from using these services, including better engagement and connectivity, and improved learning opportunities. However, what we reap from social networks is directly proportional to what we sow, making it essential to treat others with respect, engage in healthy online behaviors, and carry ourselves with a respectful image.

Worth noting: Facebook's terms of service require that children be at least 13 before signing up for an account, for purposes of safety and privacy. However, studies show that millions of kids are utilizing these services, and that many parents actively lie to help them register. That's not to say that 10, 11 and 12 year-olds, or even younger children, couldn't theoretically use the service responsibly, if only to share photos with friends and family. Rather, that the decision when, whether and how to let them use the service often rests directly in caregivers' hands - and is one that shouldn't be undertaken lightly.

Once over 13 though, it's unrealistic to assume you can micromanage or control access to such sites. But it is realistic to recognize the importance of educating children about safe computing habits, online dangers and safe social networking practices, and take steps to actively prepare them for the experience. According to surveys, many teens still accept requests from strangers, and have witnessed acts of meanness of cruelty on social networks. However, others show that kids are largely handling themselves well on these services. From a practical standpoint, perhaps the best solution is simply to prepare them as best you can for taking the plunge, and actively monitor their behavior once made, without being overbearing or intrusive.

Ultimately, it bears remembering: Parents shouldn't be concerned that their children are utilizing social networks. More important to note is when, how and with whom they're using these services. Of course, once kids login, there's little chance of going back, and their participation may expose them to content, individuals, and influences you find negative or controversial. But then again, it's a wide virtual world out there, and one you can't keep them safe from forever - as always, the proactive approach is recommended. Teach yourself and your children how to safely use social networks, keep running tabs on their usage, and you'll have less to worry about than by pretending that these services don't exist, potentially leaving kids to greet their challenges unprepared.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's an inescapable fact of high-tech parenthood: Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+ now enjoy near-ubiquity amongst kids, teens and tweens. But is access to these forms of social media necessarily a negative? It all depends on how you look at it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Remember when we all got Facebook back in the day, and the most provocative posts were photos or descriptions of your lunch? There was no news in the newsfeed, no ads trying to sell you anything, and probably the most essential aspect of early social media: there was little FOMO. Once users started adding filters to photos and creating unrealistic versions of a person's experience that encouraged likes, shares, and comments from anyone, FOMO rose sharply, and with it, anxiety and depression across the age spectrum rose too.

We've seen a parade of experts on news shows saying that social media is driving a mental health crisis in the U.S. and for many parents, we can see how kids comparing themselves to friends-and total strangers -online can negatively impact their mental and emotional health. In one study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, researchers followed 143 college students and limited their social media to less than 30 minutes a day. Astonishingly, researchers noted that when users decreased their time on social media apps, their loneliness and depression also decreased.

But in a world where sometimes social media can feel like the only way to connect with others, how do we balance being able to keep our apps without harming mental and emotional health? That seems to be the question that a new app called BeReal is asking.

The BeReal app is a new social media app that tries to create a set of boundaries that force users to be as authentic as possible. The app launched in 2019, but in 2022 the BeReal app has seen a 315 percent growth uptick thanks to a clever marketing tactic whereby the BeReal creators formed a college ambassador program to get other young folks signed up-and it's working. But what exactly does BeReal do, and is the BeReal app safe for kids?

Here is everything parents need to know.

The BeReal app is a photo-sharing app that aims to be the polar opposite of an influencer-type social media lifestyle. It was created in 2019 and founded in 2020 by a French app designer, Alexis Barreyat. And while the app does not appear to use new, flashy technology, it does do something refreshing: it takes away a ton of the features we've come to expect from social media photo-sharing apps like filters and editing. Where Instagram and Facebook are built on the idea of branding an individual to help build a massive following, BeReal does the exact opposite; it keeps social media as authentic as possible by preventing branding and audience building.

How Does the BeReal App Work?

The app has some genius rules that may help create a new social media experience whereby curated hyper-edited realities are a thing of the past. Here are the BeReal app boundaries that every user must operate within:

There are no filters.

Users get a two-minute window to snap on photo.

The two-minute window is constantly changing times, creating a sense of spontaneity and preventing users from being able to stage photos.

All users from the same geographical region get the same two-minute window.

The app uses the phone camera to take a photo that is both forward and selfie facing so that other users can see a real-time authentic view of what the creator is experiencing.

If a user doesn't like their photo, they can retake it one time and post it up to two hours later. However, the BeReal app will label that photo as delayed so that other users will know that it was a do-over. And to prevent lurking, the only people who can view uploaded photos are people in a user's friend list who also posted a photo.

Is BeReal Safe?

As a parent of a tween who is dying to have his own social media, I love the concept behind the BeReal app. Authenticity is something that has become precious and rare online these days, and an opportunity to contrast the depressing worldview that offered by other apps like Instagram and Facebook make BeReal feel like a safer option. But is it?

From a mental health perspective, the BeReal app may be a healthier choice as it does not allow users to incentivize popularity through likes, shares, and comments. There are no number counts or ways to objectively compare one account to another.

In a statement to CNN, BeReal said that they were aiming to create "an alternative to addictive social networks" by giving users the chance to show friends who they really are in an authentic way. "BeReal won't make you famous; if you want to become an influencer, you can stay on TikTok and Instagram."

How Old Should Kids Be To Use the BeReal App?

According to the Apple App Store, BeReal is intended for kids ages 12 and up. Meanwhile, the Google app store lists the BeReal app as T for Teen. So, what's the difference?

According to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRT), apps get rated against several categories. They are:

E for Everyone

E10+ Everyone 10years-old and up

T for Teen or 13 years old and up

M for Mature

A for Adult

E10+ is generally considered suitable for kids ages 10 and up, and may include "cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes," according to ESRT.

T for Teen, on the other hand, is a little more grown-up and may contain "violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language," according to ESRT.

What Should Parents Know About the Bereal Privacy Settings?

The BeReal app privacy setting state that they processing personal data in accordance with French law because the app was designed in France. Since France is part of the EU, citizens who use EU-based technology enjoy the world's strictest personal data rules. In short, BeReal must be transparent about what information it collects, how that information is used, and how long the app retains that information, all of which can easily be found on a simple chart in their privacy policy.

Parents can rest easy that the BeReal app is not another social media platform that will cater to fantasies of popularity in the manner that Instagram and Facebook do. There does not appear to be a built-in drive to encourage users to stay on the app for extended periods of time or compete for likes and shares. Authenticity is the game and connecting with real-life friends in the goal.

That said, as safe as the BeReal app appears to be, it is always a wise idea for parents to download and tinker with any new app to be sure they see and understand what their kids see and understand. And, of course, it is strongly recommended that parents continuously talk about online safety and goals with social media. Because as much as we love the idea BeReal wants users to enjoy an authentic experience that won't lead to FOMO, the real way we can keep kids mentally and emotionally healthy with regard to social media is by making sure it is a good fit and limiting its influence over our lives.

We reached out to BeReal for comment on this story, but have not heard back at the time of publication. BeReal has not yet been reviewed by Common Sense Media, a trusted go-to site many parents use to best determine appropriateness for all forms of media for their kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BeReal Is a New 'Unfiltered' Social App-Is It Safe for Kids?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
BeReal is a new social media app that offers users a chance to escape the over-curated world of influencer lifestyles we associate with Instagram and Facebook.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.getepic.com/app/search

Login: akahn@schools.nyc.gov
Password: class403

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.getepic.com/app/search

Login: akahn@schools.nyc.gov
Password: class403

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About Gale In Context: Elementary

Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content.

Don't know how to login?

Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password. If you don't know how to log in, please contact your library or school directly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
About Gale In Context: Elementary Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. Don't know how to login? Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About Gale In Context: Elementary

Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content.

Don't know how to login?

Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password. If you don't know how to log in, please contact your library or school directly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
About Gale In Context: Elementary Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. Don't know how to login? Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About Gale In Context: Elementary

Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content.

Don't know how to login?

Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password. If you don't know how to log in, please contact your library or school directly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
About Gale In Context: Elementary Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. Don't know how to login? Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About Gale In Context: Elementary

Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content.

Don't know how to login?

Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password. If you don't know how to log in, please contact your library or school directly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
About Gale In Context: Elementary Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. Don't know how to login? Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About Gale In Context: Elementary

Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content.

Don't know how to login?

Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password. If you don't know how to log in, please contact your library or school directly.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
About Gale In Context: Elementary Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. Don't know how to login? Depending on this location's preferences, the log-in process could include your library card number, a student or user ID, or another provided password.