Jim Liebelt's Youth Culture Watch

U.S. Teens Use Pot in Many Ways

*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on HealthDay.

American teens are partaking of pot in any way they can, from smoking to vaping to eating marijuana edibles, new research shows.

The study, of Los Angeles-area high school students, found that about one-third had ever used marijuana. And most of them had used it in more than one way.

Smoking was most popular, but many kids also took the drug via "edibles" or "vaping" -- where cannabis aerosol is inhaled, smoke-free, with the help of electronic cigarettes.

There are a few reasons the findings are concerning, said senior researcher Adam Leventhal, a professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, in Los Angeles.

"Smoking has traditionally deterred some kids from trying marijuana," Leventhal said. "They don't like the way it tastes, or the way it burns their throat."

In contrast, he said, kids may be readily attracted to the "alternative" ways of using the drug -- like gummy bears spiked with cannabis extracts, or via vaping liquids that are flavored like bubblegum.

Leventhal pointed to another potential worry: If teens are using multiple forms of marijuana -- and having greater exposure to its active ingredient -- could that increase the odds of chronic, problem use?

Past studies have found that teenagers who use marijuana are at greater risk of marijuana use disorders in adulthood, Leventhal said. Some research has also suggested they may have somewhat lower IQ scores or poorer memory and attention.

It's not clear, though, whether using multiple types of marijuana might exacerbate any effects, according to Leventhal.

The findings were based on a survey of nearly 3,200 10th graders at 10 Los Angeles-area schools.

Overall, 34 percent said they'd ever used marijuana. Smoking was the most popular method, but almost 62 percent had taken the drug in at least two forms.

About 8 percent of all kids who'd used marijuana had tried all three methods the survey asked about: smoking, vaping and edibles.

The findings were published online in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Source: HealthDay
https://consumer.healthday.com/public-health-information-30/marijuana-news-759/smoked-vaped-eaten-u-s-teens-use-pot-in-many-ways-738120.html

What's Hot? 10/12/18

Trending Today on Twitter - 10/12/18
1. #FridayFeeling
2. #NationalFarmersDay
3. #FridayMotivation
4. Usher
5. Roberto Clemente
6. Andrew Brunson
7. Ella Mai
8. #RoyalWedding
9. #FlashbackFriday
10. Princess Eugenie
Source: Twitter

Trending Today on Google - 10/12/18
1. Princess Eugenie
2. Quavo
3. Roberto Clemente
4. Eagles vs Giants
5. Kanye West
6. Black Ops 4
7. Selena Gomez
8. First Man
9. Bad Times at the El Royale
10. National Coming Out Day
Source: Google

iTunes Top 10 Singles - 10/12/18
1. Shallow - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
2. MIA (feat. Drake) - Bad Bunny
3. Always Remember Us This Way - Lady Gaga
4. ZEZE (feat. Travis Scott & Offset) - Kodak Black
5. Woman Like Me (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Little Mix
6. I'll Never Love Again - Lady Gaga
7. Without Me - Halsey
8. Happier - Marshmello & Bastille
9. Is That Alright? - Lady Gaga
10. Eastside - benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid
Source: iTunes

Top 10 TV (Broadcast) Shows - Week Ending 10/7/18
1. Sunday Night Football
2. Thursday Night Football
3. This is Us
4. Saturday Night Foodball
5. Football Night in America Part 3
6. The Big Bang Theory
7. Thursday Night Football Pre-Kick
8. The Big Bang Theory
9. The Voice
10. Manifest
Source: Nielsen Co.

Trending Today on YouTube - Today - 10/12/18
1. Bad Bunny feat. Drake - Mia
2. Disney's Aladdin Teaser Trailer
3. Tenacious D Gets Rocked by Spicy Wings
4. $1000 Chicken Wing Taste Test
5. Whole Pork Loin Basics with Babish
Source: YouTube

Top 5 Movies - Last Weekend
1. Venom
2. A Star Is Born
3. Smallfoot
4. Night School
5. The House with a Clock in Its Walls
Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Parents Teach Firstborns About Sex, But Not Their Later Kids

*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on HealthDay.

Younger siblings are less likely than firstborns to hear about the birds and the bees from their parents, a new study suggests.

Instead, they may learn what's what from their older brothers and sisters, British researchers report.

"Although there has been much research into how the order in which children are born into a family may impact psychological or social outcomes, studies on the relationship between birth order and sexual health outcomes are limited," said Dr. Lotte Elton, who led the research.

The study also found that parents are less likely to teach their sons about sex than their daughters, according to Elton and colleagues at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

"Across all birth order categories, men consistently reported lower parental involvement in sex education than women," Elton said.

It's not known if learning the facts of life from Mom and Dad delays sex. But middle-born boys -- those less likely to have parental instruction -- had increased odds of sexual activity before 16, the researchers also found.

For the study, the researchers collected data on more than 45,000 people who took part in the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles in Britain.

The researchers focused on 5,000 individuals ages 17 to 29 who answered questions about the involvement of parents or siblings in sex education and early sexual experiences.

The study found that 48 percent of firstborn girls and 37 percent of firstborn boys had discussed sex with a parent at age 14. This compared with 40 percent of middle-born girls and 29 percent of middle-born boys.

Furthermore, middle-born and last-born boys were less likely than firstborns to say talking about sex with their parents was easy.

The report was published in the journal Sex Education.

Later-born children said siblings played a bigger role than their parents in teaching them about puberty and reproduction. This suggests brothers and sisters might be helpful in sex education programs, the researchers noted.

Source: HealthDay
https://consumer.healthday.com/pregnancy-information-29/love-sex-and-relationship-health-news-452/parents-teach-firstborns-about-sex-but-not-their-later-kids-738053.html

Gen Z and Morality: What Teens Believe (So Far)

*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on Barna.com.

We live in an increasingly “post-truth” political climate. But even before fake news and alternative facts, few Americans were in agreement about, well, almost anything. Over time, consensus on key moral principles has waned, and the younger generations are now inheriting this new moral landscape. In addition to a growing religious apathy and a singular focus on success, another prominent trait of Gen Z is a more relativistic worldview. Though still in a formative stage of life, the leading edge of Gen Z, along with Millennials, appear to hold notably different views about morality than other generations.

Morality Can Be a Grey Area to Gen Z
Looking at some basic principles, there is a curious generational shift in the moral compass of Americans. With some awareness that teens’ views may still be quite pliable, we’ll focus on the respondents who indicate the highest level of agreement with these statements in order to show those presently most committed to these beliefs. At this extreme end, one-quarter of Gen Z (24%) strongly agrees that what is morally right and wrong changes over time based on society. There is a wide generational divide on this point: Twice as many Gen Z than Boomers (12%) believe this. The centrality of the self as moral arbiter is also higher among the younger generations—21 percent of Gen Z and 23 percent of Millennials believe each individual is his or her own moral authority—though Gen X (18%) and Boomers (17%) aren’t too far behind on this one. As mentioned, these are only the proportions who stronglyagree, so this is perhaps just a hint of a broader public acceptance that morality can be fluid. Teens in Barna focus groups elaborated on their perspective. One participant said, “Society changes, and what’s good or bad changes as well. It is all relative to what’s happening in the world.”

Elders are a shrinking proportion of the overall population, but for perspective, fully three out of five among the eldest generation (61%) strongly agree that lying is immoral, while only one-third of Gen Z (34%) believes lying is wrong. There is a continuous slide by generation in conviction about this moral principle.

Where Gen Z Stands on Hotly Debated Issues
This study also asked teens about where they stand on some commonly debated ethical and legal issues. For example, though Gen Z are the most progressive on abortion, almost three in 10 believe it is wrong (29%), more than most other issues included in the survey.

About four in 10 Gen Z feel a strong conviction that marriage ought to be a lifelong commitment between a man and woman (38%, on par with Millennials at 37%). Despite having firm feelings about fidelity, Gen Z is more lenient than older adults on this topic, evidenced by the gap between them and Boomers (47%) and Elders (66%). There are similar divergences when it comes to issues of sexuality, on which Gen Z tends to be least conservative. For instance, only one-fifth (21%) believes sex before marriage is wrong—though they are mostly on par with other generations, with Gen X being the most conservative (26%). They are least likely to take issue with same-sex sexual activity; only one-fifth (20%) is strongly opposed to it. The opinions on this among all age groups are somewhat mixed, but disapproval of homosexuality generally increases by generation.

How Faith Impacts Gen Z’s Views of Morality
Engaged Christian teens are a stark contrast to their peers on moral issues. There are significant gaps between their beliefs and all others, including other churchgoing teens, suggesting that church attendance alone does not transmit more traditionally orthodox views. For instance, engaged Christians are more than twice as likely to say that lying is wrong (77%) compared to their churched counterparts (38%), and almost four times more likely than those who claim no faith (20%).

The belief that lying is morally wrong is the most commonly shared moral sentiment among the faith segments, alongside marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. The greatest differences surround sexuality. For instance, more than three-quarters of engaged Christians believe sex before marriage (76%) and homosexual behavior are morally wrong (77%), compared to only fractions of those with no faith (5% and 4% respectively) and one-quarter of churched Christians (25% and 24% respectively).

Read more of this report at the source link below.

Source: Barna.com
https://www.barna.com/research/gen-z-morality/

Study Suggests Weed Harms Teen Brains More Than Alcohol

*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on Medical Daily.

With the increasing legalization of marijuana use for adults, there also comes an increased risk of teenagers giving it a try. While research is still trying to narrow down the exact effects of the drug on the brain, many have indicated a risk of impaired cognition in younger individuals.

In their new findings, researchers at the University of Montreal, Canada, suggested these negative consequences may be long-lasting and even worse than those of alcohol consumption.

The study titled "A Population-Based Analysis of the Relationship Between Substance Use and Adolescent Cognitive Development" was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

The research team recruited nearly 4,000 teenagers from over thirty different Canadian schools to track them for a period of four years. At the start of the study, the teens were in seventh grade i.e. around 13 years old.

On an annual basis, each participant was asked to rate if and how often they used marijuana and drank alcohol. The team gave their word the details would not be shared with parents unless there was a risk of harm. Participants were also instructed to take computer-based cognitive tests which measured their recall memory, perceptual reasoning, inhibitory control, and short-term memory.

Overall, teens who used cannabis and drank alcohol were more likely to fare poorly on all domains of the cognitive test. It was noted an increase in marijuana use, unlike alcohol consumption, showed "additional concurrent and lagged effects" on functions like memory. Cognition did not show improvement even after students reported stopping the use of cannabis.

"This study focuses on the neuropsychological effects of cannabis. We think it’s important because it is linked to how someone functions in life," said lead author Patricia Conrad, a professor of psychiatry at Montreal.

"Cannabis causes cognitive impairment and delayed cognitive development in adolescents. Our study showed that early marijuana use has a lasting effect on cognitive ability," she added.

Diving into lasting effects, one association Conrad found particularly concerning was between cannabis use and inhibitory control. Lower performance in this domain is believed to be a risk factor for other addictive behaviors. Conrad said this might explain why cannabis use, in some cases, has the potential to become a gateway drug for other addictions.

Source: Medical Daily
https://www.medicaldaily.com/marijuana-or-alcohol-whats-worse-weed-harms-teen-brains-more-study-suggests-427866

What's Hot? 10/05/18

Trending Today on Twitter - 10/5/18
1. #WorldTeachersDay
2. #FridayFeeling
3. #WorldSmileDay
4. Nobel Peace Prize
5. #FridayMotivation
6. #JobsReport
7. Soros
8. JJ Redick
9. Interpol
10. Mattress Firm
Source: Twitter

Trending Today on Google - 10/5/18
1. Gisele Bundchen
2. Supermicro
3. Arsenal
4. Dodgers
5. National Taco Day 2018
6. Heidi Heitkamp
7. Van Dyke Trial
8. Amy Schumer
9. Chris Evans
10. John Paul Stevens
Source: Google

iTunes Top 10 Singles - 10/5/18
1. Shallow - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
2. Without Me - Halsey
3. Happier - Marshmello & Bastille
4. Is That Alright? - Lady Gaga
5. Natural - Imagine Dragons
6. Head Above Water - Avril Lavigne
7. Youngblood - 5 Seconds of Summer
8. STOOPID (feat. Bobby Shmurda) - 6ix9ine
9. With You - Mariah Carey
10. Always Remember Us This Way - Lady Gaga
Source: iTunes

Top 10 TV (Broadcast) Shows - Week Ending 9/30/18
1. Sunday Night Football
2. Thursday Night Football
3. 60 Minutes
4. The Big Bang Theory
5. NCIS
6. The Big Bang Theory
7. Young Sheldon
8. This Is Us
9. Manifest
10. Young Sheldon
Source: Nielsen Co.

Trending Today on YouTube - Today - 10/5/18
1. Chrissy Teigen Gets Drunk on Spicy Wings
2. Blind Burrito Taste Test
3. Halsey - Without Me
4. Ella Mai - Whatchamacallit ft. Chris Brown
5. Brad Makes Garlic Miso It's Alive
Source: YouTube

Top 5 Movies - Last Weekend
1. Night School
2. Smallfoot
3. The House with a Clock in Its Walls
4. A Simple Favor
5. The Nun
Source: Rotten Tomatoes

Sleepy Teens More Prone to Drug Use, Suicide Attempts

*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on HealthDay.

High school students who get too little sleep are more likely than others to use drugs, drink alcohol or attempt suicide, U.S. researchers warn.

And while teenagers need eight to 10 hours of sleep nightly, only 30 percent of students report getting that amount, according to survey data collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Those reporting fewer hours of sleep were significantly more likely to report each type of risk-taking behavior that was studied," said Matthew Weaver, lead researcher on the new report. He's an epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital's division of sleep and circadian disorders, in Boston.

Compared to eight-hour-a-night sleepers, those who averaged less than six hours a night were twice as likely to say they had smoked cigarettes, used alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, or had driven after drinking. They were also three times more likely to consider or attempt suicide, and almost twice as likely to carry a weapon or to fight, the researchers found.

"Many of these behaviors are common precursors to accidents and suicides, which are the leading causes of death for teens in the U.S.," added Weaver.

The findings are based on an analysis of 2007-2015 data from the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Nearly 68,000 high schoolers were involved in all. About 6 in 10 were white, and they attended public and private schools.

The researchers found that less than one-third of the students were getting eight or more hours of sleep on weeknights. Twenty-two percent said they logged about six hours daily, while about 18 percent reported less than six hours of sleep on average.

Weaver cautioned, however, that while the survey suggests "an association between sleep and these behaviors," it cannot prove cause and effect. It's possible that kids who engage in risky behavior may undermine the quantity and quality of their sleep, rather than the other way around, he said.

Also, because the information was self-reported, it might not be completely reliable.

Nevertheless, Weaver said it's critical to ensure that teens get enough sleep.

The study findings appear in a letter to the editor in the Oct. 1 issue of JAMA Pediatrics.

Source: HealthDay
https://consumer.healthday.com/kids-health-information-23/adolescents-and-teen-health-news-719/sleepy-teens-more-prone-to-drug-use-suicide-attempts-738163.html

A Majority of Teens Have Experienced Some Form of Cyberbullying

*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on Pew Research Center.

Name-calling and rumor-spreading have long been an unpleasant and challenging aspect of adolescent life. But the proliferation of smartphones and the rise of social media has transformed where, when and how bullying takes place. A new Pew Research Center survey finds that 59% of U.S. teens have personally experienced at least one of six types of abusive online behaviors.

The most common type of harassment youth encounter online is name-calling. Some 42% of teens say they have been called offensive names online or via their cellphone. Additionally, about a third (32%) of teens say someone has spread false rumors about them on the internet, while smaller shares have had someone other than a parent constantly ask where they are, who they’re with or what they’re doing (21%) or have been the target of physical threats online (16%).

While texting and digital messaging are a central way teens build and maintain relationships, this level of connectivity may lead to potentially troubling and nonconsensual exchanges. One-quarter of teens say they have been sent explicit images they didn’t ask for, while 7% say someone has shared explicit images of them without their consent. These experiences are particularly concerning to parents. Fully 57% of parents of teens say they worry about their teen receiving or sending explicit images, including about one-quarter who say this worries them a lot, according to a separate Center survey of parents.

The vast majority of teens (90% in this case) believe online harassment is a problem that affects people their age, and 63% say this is a major problem. But majorities of young people think key groups, such as teachers, social media companies and politicians are failing at tackling this issue. By contrast, teens have a more positive assessment of the way parents are addressing cyberbullying.

Read the full report on the Pew Research Centerwebsite.

Source: Pew Research Center
http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/09/27/a-majority-of-teens-have-experienced-some-form-of-cyberbullying/

One in Three College Freshmen Face Mental Health Woes

*The following is excerpted from an online article posted on HealthDay.

More than one in three first-year college students around the world struggle with a mental health disorder, new research suggests.

"The number of students who need treatment for these disorders far exceeds the resources of most counseling centers, resulting in a substantial unmet need," said study author Randy Auerbach, of Columbia University in New York City.

"Colleges must take a greater urgency in addressing this issue," he said in a news release from the American Psychological Association.

In the study, researchers analyzed data collected on nearly 14,000 students from 19 colleges in eight countries -- Australia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Spain and the United States.

The students answered questions designed to assess their mental health and identify common disorders, such as major depression, anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

The study, published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, showed that 35 percent of first-year college students experienced symptoms consistent with at least one mental health issue.

Major depressive disorder was the most common condition among the students, but many were also affected by generalized anxiety disorder.

"The finding that one-third of students from multiple countries screened positive for at least one of six mental health disorders represents a key global mental health issue," Auerbach said.

Auerbach's team said previous research has also found that only about 15 percent to 20 percent of college students seek help at their school's counseling center, which may already be struggling to meet rising demand for services. So the study authors suggest that students go online to look for help, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

"University systems are currently working at capacity and counseling centers tend to be cyclical, with students ramping up service use toward the middle of the semester, which often creates a bottleneck," Auerbach explained.

Source: HealthDay
https://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/depression-news-176/1-in-3-college-freshmen-faces-mental-health-woes-737653.html