Connecting
Youth destroy 'apathetic voter' reputation in 2008
Young people are notorious for being idealistic, yet lacking follow through; they consistently vote at a rate far lower than the national average. However, in the upcoming election, trends indicate that youth will kick the stereotype of civic irresponsibility.
According to recent Gallup Polls, two out of three youth voters suported Barack Obama. The last time youth participation spiked, the Democrat Bill Clinton won the White House in 1992.
Mariyah Khan, an 18-year old student at the University of Minnesota, said that she planned to vote because she is concerned about the present state of the economy and social security. “I don’t think we’re going to get (to retire) … In our nation, you’re supposed to work, and then they give us something back for it,” she said. “We talk about not being able to enjoy your life — you’ll just have to keep working, which really sucks.” ... Read more >>
Many teens grow more cautious about Facebook postings
Since school officials in Eden Prairie and Woodbury suspended students from extracurricular activities after finding on-line photos of them drinking alcohol, other teens have been taking action.
Some limit access to their Facebook pages; others have grown more cautious about what they post on popular social-networking sites.
... Read more >>
Losing touch -- a broken cell phone leaves teen out of the loop
On a standard Friday evening, I finish up dinner and get ready for a night out. As my curling iron heats up, my make-up palette awaits and my chosen outfit lies on the bed, Nelly Furtado’s ring tone alerts me to a text message. It’s from a close friend who texts everyone on weekends to alert us of plans.
Tonight it’s bowling and then a late-night movie. Sounds good. A minute later, Nelly’s tone rings again, alerting me that my friends are texting to make sure I’m coming and to figure out who’s driving. ... Read more >>
This New Life in India
Alarm clocks all across America are going off. Many teenagers groan, roll out of bed, throw on whatever they can find, grab a bite to eat, and rush out of the door to go to school. 
This not the case for 17-year-old Adia Singh. Each morning, Singh wakes up promptly at 8 a.m., sits down to eat her breakfast with her family, and goes off to school — not to learn but as a volunteer helping feed malnourished children.
She then goes back to her home and gets ready for school.... Read more >>
When cell phones come to school
Although school policy bans their use, student journalists at one junior high learned that their fellow students consider cell phones an essential way to connect with family and friends. Read more >>
Computing a New Direction
David Hiel and Sally Mahmoud collaborate on a story about Osiris, a computer training program founded by Bill Roddy and his wife. The couple gave up six-figure incomes to introduce at-risk ... Read more >>
Computing a New Direction
Computing a New Direction: David Hiel and Sally Mahmoud collaborate on a story about {{Osiris, a computer training program founded by Bill Roddy and his wife}}. The couple gave up six-figure incomes to introduce at-risk teenagers, many of whom were in juvenile jails, to the world of computers — and possibly a new lease on life.... Read more >>
