It's an ongoing debate with few answers and no definitive research: whether exposure to technology is good for the littlest tykes. The Associated Press recently did a good job of framing the debate. On the one hand, "some parents and scholars see no benefit, and a handful even warn of a hindrance to child development." On the other: "Developers of the kids site Googles.com - not to be confused … [Read more...] about Too young for tech?
SD gov yanks teen site
It's not that surprising that politics entered into what a public library has in its Web site, but we've not seen this before: South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, shut down the teen section of the state library's Web site, eSchoolNews reports. Though the State Library Board last spring rejected a request to remove a link to Planned Parenthood in the section, on July 9 the board … [Read more...] about SD gov yanks teen site
New online Amber Alert
Using the Web will only get the word about an abducted child out faster and to more people, "including ordinary citizens who can receive text messages on their cellphones," the New York Times reports. The new Net-based Amber Alert system is being tested in 13 states this summer. The Times cites figures from the National Center for Missing & Ecploited Children showing that 250-300 Amber Alerts are … [Read more...] about New online Amber Alert
Kids & politics, online/offline
Personal as well as national politics, judging from Children's PressLine's coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Boston (at Connect for Kids). Three CPL reporters received media credentials to report from the convention floor - Gabriel Decker-Lee, 10; Laurence James, 13; and Nily Rozic, 18 - but a lot of people's good thinking backed them up: "We know we won't be the only journalists … [Read more...] about Kids & politics, online/offline
Kids gambling online
A 16-year-old UK girl was able to register at 30 gambling Web sites after lying about her age, The Guardian reports. "Only seven sites requested verification of her age when she claimed to be 21." She used her youth debit card to register. The Guardian cited children's charity NCH as the source of this information. "NCH claims the findings show it is possible for children as young as 11 to … [Read more...] about Kids gambling online