FOR PARENTS…
Puberty starts earlier than it used to, and no one knows why
January 11, 2024
Some girls are starting to develop breasts as early as age 6 or 7. A similar pattern, though less extreme, has been observed in boys.
Girls who go through puberty early are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other psychological problems, compared with peers who hit puberty later. Girls who get their periods earlier may also be at a higher risk of developing breast or uterine cancer in adulthood.
No one know what risk factor—or more likely, what combination of factors—is driving the age decline or why there are stark race- and sex-based differences. Obesity seems to be playing a role, but it cannot fully explain the change. Researchers are also investigating other potential influences, including chemicals found in certain plastics, and stress. And for unclear reasons, doctors across the world have reported a rise in early puberty cases during the pandemic.
Obesity. Synthetic chemicals. Stress. This appears to be the trifecta for early puberty.
Source: The New York Times, “Puberty starts earlier than it used to,” Jan. 10, 2024
Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change
November, 2019
If you, like me, are growing increasingly despairing about climate change and the state of the world, imagine how children feel. Chances are they have a lot of questions, and a lot of fear. Perhaps it’s time you sat down and had a good heart-to-heart with your kids.
It’s true that climate change and related natural disasters can take a toll on mental health, including depression and anxiety. Children may be one of the hardest hit groups. In order to lighten that anxiety, psychologists suggest parents talk to their children. Find a calm moment to ask your child what they’ve seen or heard about climate change and/or world affairs, and ask how that makes them feel. Then, gently correct any irrational fears but don’t downplay anxieties just to make kids feel better. That could just make them feel they can’t trust adults to be honest with them.
Talk about the problem, then pivot to the solution. Once you’ve discussed your child’s fears, talk about people and organizations that are already working on large-scale solutions. Then talk about solutions you and your family have already undertaken to reduce your carbon footprint and make the world a better place. Brainstorm new ideas.
Taking action can be a powerful antidote to fear. Encourage your child to take action at school or volunteer with a local organization. Finally, think about your own personal choices and lead by example. Your children are probably watching.
Source: “One Thing You Can Do: Talk to Children About Climate Change” by Jillian Mock. The New York Times Climate Forward, October 9, 2019.
Take Kids Outdoors
By Katherine Martinko for Treehugger.com
January 5, 2021
Kids don't spend nearly enough time outdoors these days, and they’re suffering as a result. Perhaps 2021 could be the year you sign up for the 1,000 Hour Challenge, when your child spends a total of a thousand hours outdoors over the course of the year. This works out to roughly 2.7 hours daily – seemingly a lot, but likely a fraction of the time spent on screens.
Outdoor time has been linked to better academic performance and emotional wellbeing. It counteracts the physical inactivity that accompanies hours spent online. And it familiarizes children with a natural world in desperate need of defenders. Unless children learn to love the outdoors, they won't understand why it needs to be protected.
Keep Electronics Away from Children
By Linda Mason Hunter
March, 2017
For quite some time I've been worried about the safety of cell phones, iPads, and other electronic devices, especially in the hands of children. Scientific research proves that, though we may not fully understand exactly how and why radio frequency waves affect human bodies and health, we know that they do. The real issue is the long-term cellular damage that apparently affects every person who is exposed, for as long as they remain exposed. The developing brains of children are more sensitive to these effects than adults, so you can't say the effects would be equal for a small adult as for a child.
Conflicting evidence provides conflicting advice on the subject of cell phone safety. Though the National Cancer Institute affirms cell phones emit such low levels of radio frequency waves it’s not a problem, the World Health Organization disagrees. In May 2011 the WHO classified cell phones (and other wireless devices) as a category 28 risk (meaning they are a possible carcinogen) based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer associated with wireless phone use. In 2013 scientists working for IARC (the International Agency for Research on Cancer) recommended that, based on new research, radio frequency exposure should be reclassified as a 2A (probable carcinogen), not a 28 (possible carcinogen). Since then a number of additional studies have been reported. One of the most important was a large case-control study in France which found a doubling of risk of glioma, the most malignant form of brain cancer, after two years of exposure to cell phones. After five years exposure the risk was five-fold. For those living in urban environments the risk was even higher.
Glioma is the brain cancer that killed Ted Kennedy and is killing John McCain.That’s reason enough for me. Keep cell phones out of the hands of children. Follow the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics, which state that infants aged 0-2 years should not have any exposure to technology, children 3 to 5 years old should be restricted to one hour per day, and ages 6 to 18 years restricted to 2 hours per day.
As for yourself, use caution. Reserve the use of cell phones for shorter conversations or for times when a landline is not available. Use a hands-free device, which reduces the amount of radio frequency energy exposure to the head. Switch ears from time to time.
Sources:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones-fact-sheet
http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf
https://www.quora.com/Do-wireless-Bluetooth-headphones-cause-cancer
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/cellphone-call-limits-suggested-by-health-canada-1.1100812
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/132/5/958.full
