Posted under Teens

Sonic Drugs a New Threat to Teens?

A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh and Dartmouth University suggests that music can influence teens’ decision to use drugs and alcohol. Teens listening to rap, R&B and hip hop can expect to hear three brand-name alcohol references per hour, potentially leading to teen alcohol abuse and other risky behaviors.

But can music itself get teens high? Some experts say yes. Known as sonic drugs, or i-dosing, some websites claim that listening to a specific type of sound can make someone feel high. Users choose from a menu of single drugs or “packs,” which range from a few dollars to almost $200. Sonic drug options include marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, hallucinogens and prescription drugs.

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Posted under Teens

The Power of an Informed Parent

"Oh, mom, not another talk about drugs!”

If that’s the response you get from your teenagers when you try to enlighten them about the dangers of drug abuse, congratulations, you’re on the right track! Continue Reading

Posted under Teens

Gummi Bears and Dragonfly: A New Wave of Teen Drug Abuse

Just when you thought the teen drug scene couldn’t get any stranger, news reports boggle parents’ minds with new ways teens are getting high.

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Hookah Use in High Schools

While several decades ago cigarette smoking was associated with being cool, modern kids know better. SAMHSA reports that cigarette use has declined in recent years, which is welcomed news given the risks associated with tobacco use, from lung cancer to emphysema. Continue Reading

Posted under Young Adults

University Students Using Cannabis also Self-Medicate

When older teens leave for college, they are confronted with a new level of freedom that allows them to make decisions not only about studying and social life, but also drugs and alcohol. Continue Reading

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Study Says Teens’ Sexual Behavior Impacted by Song Lyrics

What’s playing on a teen’s MP3 player or iPod can strongly impact their sexual choices and beliefs, says a new research study. For teen girls, sexually charged lyrics can also cause significant damage to their self-worth and body perception and possibly raise their risks for eating disorders.

Published in Sexuality & Culture, study authors from Utah’s Brigham Young University want parents and professional educators to know that their findings suggest a link between sexual lyrics and teen beliefs and behaviors toward sex. The authors’ findings fall into alignment with previous studies stating there’s a strong connection between exposing teens to sexual content on TV, in movies and through music and their sexual behaviors.

Not only do certain types of sexual lyrics seem to impact teen behaviors, according to a recent Medical News Today article, they also impact the way teens think about their peers’ sexual activity. Researchers believe the lyrics may lead teens to believe their peers are more highly involved in sexual behaviors, contributing to the strong effect of peer pressure to also become more involved in sex.

For girls, sexually charged song lyrics can also contribute to low self-esteem, a decline in body acceptance and a potentially higher risk of eating disorders, as well as problems with drug and alcohol use. They may also be more likely to experiment sexually or view themselves as a sexual object. Males may respond to sexual lyrics with aggressive behaviors toward women.

The connection between sexually themed music and teen behaviors has also gained strength by the sheer quantity of music teens and grade-schoolers are listening to. Studies suggest their usage of personal music players has grown by 45 percent in recent years.

Posted under Young Adults

The Dangers of Texting While Driving

Added to your own empirical data from when you yourself have tried to manage the tiny phone and keyboard while driving are two recent driving tests seeking to put some hard numbers to the habit of texting and driving. One test was conducted in Great Britain and the other test was conducted in Michigan by Car and Driver. Both tests came up with the same result: Drivers who text are more likely to cause an accident. Continue Reading

Posted under Teens

Social Networking Associated with Alcohol and Marijuana Use

Facebook has provided a new unknown for parents. Just as parents in the 1980s and 1990s may have felt uneasy about the introduction of rental movies and cable television into their worlds, parents now are aware that there might be risks associated with social networking. Continue Reading

Posted under Teens

Cell Phones, Low Self-Esteem Cited as Reasons Teens Become Addicted to Online Porn

Today, sex addiction is topping the list when it comes to dangerous teen behaviors. One reason, say teens and experts alike, is that cell phones are making the material easier to access than ever. Continue Reading

Posted under Teens

‘Robo Tripping’ – the New High in Town

Beware parents; a new drug trend is in town. It’s relatively inexpensive, and your child doesn’t have to look any further than home to get it. ‘Robo Tripping,’ or getting high on cough syrups such as Robitussin are becoming more popular amongst teens. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that data from a 2006 survey revealed that approximately 3 million adolescents aged 12 to 25 admitted to abusing cough syrup to get high. Continue Reading