Facebook Depression?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42298789/ns/health-mental_health/There is a new term in the medical profession called, "Facebook Depression" and it's becoming a term frequently used by those in the psychological profession. This new phenomena is associated with those involved on social media networking sites and affecting troubled teens who obsess with the online social sites. Studies are not conclusive as to weather it's an extension of depression or low self esteem that kids already have or if the depression is brought on by the navigation and browsing through the social media links searching and viewing activities which peers are involved. Many of the up close photos show happy smiling having a good time faces leaving the viewer feeling left-out and isolated with low self-worth. These isolated feelings can be similar to a person sitting alone in a crowded cafeteria or other real-life situations which can make kids feel bad. People need to understand that Facebook, as well as other social networking sites-are virtual worlds that don't display the real, true emotions. Basically the things you view are one dimensional and can distort the truth.

Just A Sign on the Side of the Road

There is a company that has a sign on the side of the road and each week they have different postings. This company has offended many people in our community due to the language and content of these posts( including discrimination against women, race and the disabled). This company falls into the free speech aspect of our constitution and the only action one can take is to boycott this particular company. Unfortunately it happens to be near a High school and Sports complex with heavy traffic passing it daily. On the way to my son's baseball game yesterday, it read- " Women who seek to be equal to men lack- Ambition". If you know of anyone that is looking into purchasing a fence for their yard or business in the Marion County area, don't refer Hercules Fencing company.

The Smut List

http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/03/21/6312827-smut-list-the-latest-in-cyber-bullying Authorities are investigating a crime of Cyber Bullying from a list that was posted recently on Facebook. This list consisted of approximately 100 names of girls along with comments referring to their alleged sexual activities. This list is believed to have began as text on BBM ( aka blackberry messenger), evolving into a facebook page, which has now been removed. School officials are taking this very serious and authorities are investigating saying that there are trails and it is not if they find who all is involved in these postings but when. The potential charges range from harassment, criminal impersonation, and defamation as well as the parents could be held accountable. These charges could also result in a law suit.

Program gets Women in Touch with Outdoors

Becoming an outdoors woman workshop took place in the Ocala National Forest on March 11-13 , making it the 56th time offered. This program is hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission beginning in 1995, usually offering it several times a year all around the state.

The workshops are primarily for women age 18 or older who want basic information and instruction in the areas of hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, and more. They even teach them to identify deer prints and raccoon droppings as well as gun shooting and safety.


This program allows women to become familiar with these subjects empowering them to become independent in these areas with the opportunity to excel.

Information on the dates offered in Florida call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

"A Girls Life Online"

Our assignment this week was to read the book by Katherine Tarbox titled, A Girl's Life Online. It is a young woman's autobiography of an encounter that she had as a adolescent with pedophile online posing as a young man in his twenties( He was actually 41). This encounter ended up with the two of them meeting face to face in his motel room. As a result this was the first case of a pedophile interacting on the computer and meeting up with a minor to be prosecuted.
Tarbox goes in detail about her feelings of being along and feeling guilty with no real support from her family friends and even the professionals that worked the case. It is because of this case that we have many of the laws today.
This book should be read by all adolescent girls due to it's content and the lessons that are taught from a girl with first hand experience.

Obama speaks on Bullied Students

Obama spoke to parents, students and teachers at a White House conference on Bullying. He told them that he was made fun of as a child because of his large ears and his funny name, stating that this type of behavior should not be tolerated. Some 13 million students are bullied placing them at greater risk for failing in school, drug/alcohol abuse and suffering from a variety of problems. Children who are seen as being different generally fall into this type of abuse such as; a different race, clothes, sexual orientation, and disabilities.
The subject has gained attention due to the popularity of technology allowing kids to partake through media such as texting, the use of IM and social network sites. This can have devastating results to the victims including suicide. Obama urged all to help to end this negative behavior by working to create an atmosphere at school where children feel safe and a sense of being accepted, noting that adults should set these examples by being compassionate and treating others with respect no matter the circumstances.

James Bond/Drag Queen

The Associated Press reported that actor Daniel Craig (plays James Bond)dressed up in drag for a short film to support International Women's Day. The 007 star wore a blond wig, dress, pearls and high heels to gain attention for the inequalites women face around the world. It was stated he pulled the look off fairly well.

Being informed about kids online

There was a segment this morning on the Today Show offering tips of how to keep your kids safe while on the computer. I thought it pretty interesting, you may want to check it out. Visit the Todayshow.com dated 5/7 and find the link under "How far should parents go to monitor their kids on line"-some of it may be over the top but it's good information.

Idenity and Lyrics

Music plays an important role in the development of a persons identity and the role that is expected within their particular culture. This is especially true with negative affects from the Hip-Hop community among young black girls. Many of these girls adopt sexual connotations from the lyrics used in this type of media. Thus they tend to modify their sexual identity to the perceived desires that this type of music portrays. Most often these girls are unaware that these lyrics are exposing them to the exploitations of their sexual self and unfortunately they are basically brainwashed into believing this is the way they are to be!