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Tweens

My 10-year-old son is miserable since I took away Call of Duty–what do I do?
 My 10-year-old son is miserable since I took away Call of Duty–what do I do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 10 year old used to be an avid skateboarder and baseball player—until Call of Duty on XBOX Live arrived. I didn’t in my wildest dreams think that he would become addicted to a video game. I have a 21 year old who played all of the games but was never ruled by them.…

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Could my 14-year-old son’s anxiety be related to playing video games?
 Could my 14-year-old son’s anxiety be related to playing video games? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Is there a connection between excessive video game playing and increased anxiety levels? My son is 14 and has some basic anxieties like walking the dog at night that I feel are made worse by the first-person shooter games he plays. I’d love to understand if you have seen any connections here. –Grappling with…

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When is it time for my daughter to get an email account?
 When is it time for my daughter to get an email account? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: At what age do you think it is appropriate for a child to have a personal e-mail address? I have a 10 year old who wants one, but I don’t feel she is old enough. I think she can be trusted and has proved to be responsible, but it’s the world out there I…

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Will sitting close to the TV hurt my kids’ eyes?
 Will sitting close to the TV hurt my kids’ eyes? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I have an son who’s 11 and a daughter who’s 9½, and for many years, they have sat close to the TV when watching. I have asked them to sit farther away, and they do move back maybe a foot…but they always go back to viewing the show close up, even if the screen…

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The Top 10 Mediatrician Q&A’s of 2011
 The Top 10 Mediatrician Q&A’s of 2011 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 from 2011: 1. When should I talk to my girls about media and body image? 2. Are 3D video games safe…

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How can I find educational video games for an 8-year-old boy who likes war stuff?
 How can I find educational video games for an 8-year-old boy who likes war stuff? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Do you have suggestions for how to find appropriate media, such as educational video games, for different ages, such as an 8-year-old boy who likes war stuff? I’d like to help direct him to more creative sites.  –Seeking solutions, in Burlington, VT A: Dear Seeking, It’s not always easy to know which video games…

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Do you have any last-minute tips for holiday shopping?
 Do you have any last-minute tips for holiday shopping? 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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My teen daughter’s addiction to technology is ruining our family life–what should I do?
 My teen daughter’s addiction to technology is ruining our family life–what should I do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I am the mother of three daughters (15, 13, and 11). Although I try to set limits, technology is ruining my family life. My oldest daughter in particular is addicted to Facebook, Skype, texting, etc.—whenever I try to reduce or eliminate her access, she finds a way to be in touch with her friends.…

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When should I talk to my girls about media and body image?
 When should I talk to my girls about media and body image? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: At what age should I teach my daughters about the ways media idealize thinness and display a narrow view of beauty? I want to reach my girls before their opinions are shaped by media influences, but I don’t want to alarm them about something that doesn’t seem to bother them yet. They’re in 4th…

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Video games seem bad for my son, but he doesn’t agree…what do I do?
 Video games seem bad for my son, but he doesn’t agree…what do I do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My older son has been haranguing me for months to allow him to get an Xbox 360. He currently has a Wii but has deemed the games “stupid,” which is exactly why I allowed him to get it (with misgivings). But the games for Xbox are generally so violent that I could come up…

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