I found this press release from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to be very interesting reading this morning. It seems our teens are one-upping us again. Those little aliens are actually spending time online learning, who would have thought?

Seriously, this is an excellent study, read it though and let me know if you agree in our comments area:

Results from the most extensive U.S. study on teens and their use of digital media show that America’s youth are developing important social and technical skills online – often in ways adults do not understand or value.

“It might surprise parents to learn that it is not a waste of time for their teens to hang out online,” said Mizuko Ito, University of California, Irvine researcher and the report’s lead author. “There are myths about kids spending time online – that it is dangerous or making them lazy. But we found that spending time online is essential for young people to pick up the social and technical skills they need to be competent citizens in the digital age.”

Read more...

CNN Health has reported that teenagers don’t have the resources adults have when it comes to quitting smoking. ‘Smoking cessation drugs, patches, gum and lozenges are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for anyone under 18.’ Couple that with the fact that underage teens aren’t lawfully allow to have cigarettes so they aren’t signing up for support groups. This could be behind the reason why smoking rates among 9th- to 12th-graders have remained stable for the past five years.

Is your teen trying to quit smoking? How is he/she going about it? Share in our comments area.

Related Resources:

• 5 Truths About Teen Smoking
• Screening Quiz: Is your teen smoking?
• FAQ: Why Do Teens Start to Smoke?

Teens are losing their jobs to slowdowns in the economy, which is also forcing parents to give less for allowance. All in all spelling out a hard times for teen related stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and Old Navy. Job loss for teens are at their worse in the last decade, we blogged about that here. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, October’s statistics said 19.3 percent of 16- to 19-year-olds who wanted jobs couldn't find them. That's up from 14.7 percent last October and 12.4 percent in 2000.

College students coming home who work during the holidays for next semesters spending money may have to cut down on Friday night pizzas, but of course still need to buy the essentials like shampoo.

While a troubled economy is never good, it does offer parents an opportunity to teach our teens more about money and how to manage it in times where there is less. The difference between labels and generic products, how to bargain shop, how to deal with the marketing of things they just ‘have to have’ and how to save money.

My oldest waitresses at a local eatery and last night she went to work. She had one table the whole night. While we have been saying that money is tight all over for a month, she got to see it first hand on her own. “I need to be careful with my money” is now firmly implanted in her head.

What has been your teen’s experiences with his/her job recently? Your experiences with allowances? Share in our comments area.

Writing out your Christmas cards soon? Need to get your family or youth group in the spirit of giving? The American Red Cross has an effort currently to get one million holiday cards to the troops. I’m bringing it to my Girl Scout Troops, both the teen troop and the younger ones and might have my family do some too. Here is more information on the American Red Cross website. Be sure to start right away as the cards need to be postmarked by the 10 th of December.

Related Resources:

• Local Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
• How to Promote a Positive Volunteer Experience
• Teenagers Are Changing the World