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Teens

How can I protect my child when she’s learning to use email?
 How can I protect my child when she’s learning to use email? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: How can I keep my tween safe as she embarks on using email for the first time?
A: Choose an email provider that fits your ideal, help guide your child as she’s starting out, and learn more about what issues she might face online–and how you can help her navigate them.

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How do I ensure that my wired kids are being responsible citizens offline?
 How do I ensure that my wired kids are being responsible citizens offline? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My kids are attached to their cell phones and laptops, and it worries me that they’re not paying as much attention to the world happening around them. How can I prevent this?
A: Talk regularly about–and set a good example of–being a responsible citizen on- and offline. We’ve got tips to get you started.

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The Mediatrician’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2011
 The Mediatrician’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2011 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: What sort of media-related resolutions do you suggest for families?
A: Ones that are free, attainable, and fun to work toward! These 8 simple goals will help you tweak your family’s media use and enjoy the resulting time together.

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The Good News about Children and Media in 2010
 The Good News about Children and Media in 2010 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: It seems like all we ever hear about are the negative effects of media. What research has been done on using media in positive ways?
A: Indeed, studies in the past year indicate just how positive media can be for children and families when it is used in a controlled way, paying particular attention to its content and the context in which it is used.

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The Top Mediatrician Q&As of 2010
 The Top Mediatrician Q&As of 2010 150 150 Mediatrics

Each week this year, you asked our Mediatrician, Dr. Michael Rich, your most pressing questions about the effects of media on kids, and he answered! Here are the top 10 most-viewed Ask the Mediatrician Q&As of 2010.

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Should kids with central auditory processing disorder play video games?
 Should kids with central auditory processing disorder play video games? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: We believe that we need to have our child tested for central auditory processing disorder. Is there any correlation between this condition and video game playing?
A: Though extraneous noises are distracting for kids with APD, video games may actually help them focus. But it’s your job to set limits on the amount of game play.

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Is the Kindle OK for tweens?
 Is the Kindle OK for tweens? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Our soon-to-be 12 year old loves to read and dearly wants a Kindle. Should we get him one?
A: E-readers can be wonderful for tweens and any readers who do not need colorful images. Just as with ink and paper books, e-readers let the author’s words be transformed through the reader’s individual imaginations, life experiences, and aspirations into a shared vision.

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Video Games: How much time is too much?
 Video Games: How much time is too much? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Is 15-20 hours per week too much time spent on video games–even if my son gets all A’s, and is involved with lots of other activities? Is gaming a good use of his downtime?
A: There is no magic number of appropriate gaming hours: The key is to ensure that gaming doesn’t get in the way of the other important activities of life—like homework, family meals, and sleep.

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How can I tactfully ask our family not to give my kids character toys?
 How can I tactfully ask our family not to give my kids character toys? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I don’t want to seem ungrateful, and I know my children would probably like the Dora or Batman version of toys, but I just find that sort of commercialism unnecessary. How can I tell my family that we’d prefer they not get the character versions of toys when giving my kids gifts?
A: Let your family know how important it is to you that your child make up her own stories during plattime instead of having her playtime scripted by pre-digested plotlines.

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Do you have any tips on good gifts for kids?
 Do you have any tips on good gifts for kids? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Help! I’m shopping for kids of all ages this year for the holidays, and don’t know where to begin. What are your thoughts about the kinds of toys that are good for kids?
A: This year, focus on the CHILD–opt for Creative gifts you’ve decided upon after doing your Homework on the recipients’ interests, keeping in mind the importance of Imagination, Learning, and making Donations.

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