#based on the fact that the three of them are teens of varying emotional intelligence

[razzle-zazzle]

Ramble about more Dion x Morris x Gisu plz

Okay okay so. In my other post I mentioned having a lot of thoughts on how they get together.

ahaha this got longer than i expected it to so under a cut it goes

So. We've got Dion and Gisu making googoo eyes at each other. They've kind of discussed what's going on between them, and they've kind of just mutually hooked up without really talking about it because they're both interested and soft romantics and dumb teenagers. Morris and Gisu are friends, and Morris is becoming friends with Raz and Queepie; this creates plenty of opportunities for Morris and Dion to interact.

It takes a while, for Dion and Morris' idiot rivalry to crystalize into a friendship. Takes a while for Dion's annoyance and Morris' dares to turn into camaraderie, for their challenges and arguments to become a way to let off steam and break away from their responsibilities. But once they do, they start hanging out in more casual settings, start interacting on more even ground.

It starts when Dion's going through a routine, and Morris decides to catcall him, knowing that it'll annoy Dion to no end. He's right. He's so right about how much it annoys Dion that he does it again the next day, whooping and hollering obnoxiously.

"Oh, you want a piece of this, Martinez? Not my fault if I'm making you swoon!"

...Dion responds in kind. It throws Morris off for a second—but only a second before he shoots back with a "Well why don't you come over here, and show me up close?"

Gisu finds the fake flirting hilarious. She's laughing. Dion and Morris are trying to one-up and fluster each other in the most obnoxious way possible and she's laughing. She lives for the chaos, lives for banter and bickering and fighting that isn't serious in the end. And it really isn't serious—it's two idiots reciting sappy poetry and posturing like peacocks in an effort to one-up each other. It's Gisu occasionally pitching in a comment of her own about something sweet Dion did for her just to needle Morris. It's amusing to everyone else to watch these two idiots be idiots.

But Morris and Dion are not good at deescalating. They're not good at really knowing how to stop, once they get going. Not yet. And this isn't the kind of contest with a conclusive ending.

The shenanigans continue, along with all of the other stupid dares that Dion and Morris get up to—they're not doing the fake flirting all the time, and are generally just spending more time together as friends. The fake flirting has got a definite "Oh you wanna kiss me so bad it makes you look stupid" feel to it. But ironically. Completely ironically, they swear. The other junior agents get annoyed after a while, but similarly write it off as a dumb little challenge that'll peter out eventually,,,,, hopefully,,,,

And then it isn't ironic. It hits Morris suddenly, the realization that Dion's voice makes him want to throw and kiss the acrobat in the same breath. It hits him suddenly, in the middle of an unrelated conversation, his brain making the connection.

It takes Dion a little longer to realize. A little longer to have his "oh god I want to punch him in the mouth,,, with my mouth" moment. When he does, it hits him like a truck.

This is the part where things get awkward. Oh, sure, it's hilarious that Dion & Morris essentially bamboozled themselves into Having Feelings For Each Other, but let's not forget Gisu! Morris doesn't want to ruin his friendship with her, Dion still has feelings for her and doesn't want to just break it off with her just because he went and fell for someone else at the same time. He may be a dumbass, but even he can recognize that that's a jerk move.

So. We hit the awkward awful drama part. The part where Dion and Morris both hit upon the conclusion to just. ignore the fact that there is a mutual romantic attraction between them. Except now their interactions have become stilted, awkward, edging into bitter, their bickering sliding into genuine arguments because they're angry with each other and themselves over the whole situation. Because they're teens who aren't sure how to interact with each other now—they're making a bigger deal out of this then it really is, but it still is a substantial shift in their dynamic that they're not sure how to handle.

As for Gisu? Oh, it was hilarious in the beginning. She was living for the chaos. But now it's just... awkward. The guy she likes to hang out with and impress and kiss and her best friend can't talk to each other without getting in a genuine argument or shutting down. It's no longer fun for the three of them to hang out together, and Gisu can't stand it.

She pulls Dion aside because if there was ever a time for a serious talk, this is it. He affirms that he still likes her, and Gisu's still interested in him, but—

She wonders if maybe they should just try to settle into being friends. Maybe it'd be better if the three of them all shelved romance for now. After all, she's pretty sure that her and Dion being all sappy and trying to impress each other is just going to be a summer fling in the end, right? The Aquatos will leave to travel again, and Dion will run into some other pretty guy or girl and try to impress them.

But Gisu's a romantic idealist at heart, so she just kisses Dion and tells him she'll talk to Morris. And then he and Morris will talk, and work out whatever is going on between them. And everything will work out, because Gisu would much rather everything work out.

Gisu talks to Morris. He doesn't want "whatever I've tricked myself into having for Dion" to get between them. He just wants to get back to his radio station and put all of the drama behind them.

And it looks like it'll work! The three of them hang out—it starts out awkward, but then Gisu brings up how much she wants to try skating atop the Motherlobe, and suddenly Dion and Morris are encouraging her and helping her plot her way up there and Morris mentions he'll bring the camera and it's almost exactly like how the three of them interacted before all of this drama. It's great, and Gisu's having a good time—

She doesn't quite catch the exact moment it all fell apart. In hindsight, she'll remember that something Dion said must have rubbed Morris the wrong way, and Morris snapped back a sly little insult, and it must have devolved from there. But in the moment, it felt like Gisu was on top of the world one second, and then Dion and Morris were at each other's throats the next.

Gisu intervenes. It devolves into a three-way shouting match; Morris and Dion are shouting at each other, Gisu's shouting at them both for being immature, they're yelling at her to get out of it. Dion ends up going back to his family's camp angry and bitter. Morris' shoulders are hunched, his thoughts a low, jarring static to Gisu's senses. Gisu huffs and leaves to go skate her frustration off.

But Gisu's an idealist, like I said. She's stubborn, and she doesn't want to just give up just because things got a little heated. So she goes to Otto for advice. And then Milla. And she takes the time to think, and plan, and comes to a conclusion two days of Dion and Morris outright avoiding each other later.

"Right." Gisu drags them both out to a quiet little spot in the Questionable Area. "I'm not dealing with your awkward bullshit any longer. None of us are leaving this spot until we've worked," She gestures vaguely at all three of them, "this out. So. Start talking."

And that's where it starts. The conversation meanders, at first, with Morris and Dion dancing around the real issue until Dion caves and outright says that he likes both of them. A lot.

"And shit, I'm sorry for screaming at you." Dion adds, his eyes locked on the ground as he cringes. "I don't want to be fighting with you all the time. Not like that."

And Morris returns the sentiment. He's happy so long as he's got K.L.O.B. running, so long as he's still got his friends.

"But enough of this sappy junk." Morris waves a hand dismissively. "K.L.O.B.'s not going to run itself." He shrugs, affecting as casual an attitude as he can manage. "I'm fine with losing out to Gisu on the romance front anyway—that ship has clearly sailed."

"But what if romance didn't have to be a two-player game?"

Ah, yes, Gisu's sappy little heart and it's sappy little idealism.

Dion makes a soft noise somewhere between an inhale and a squeak, looking at Gisu with a look she can't parse. Morris blinks, equally caught off guard.

Gisu wonders if maybe she should backtrack.

She doesn't.

"I mean, I like Dion, you like Dion, and—and romance is just love and communication, right?" She shrugs. "So maybe we could..." She's not sure where she's going with this, but her mouth is moving faster than her brain can keep up. "Maybe it doesn't have to be a two-player game."

Dion makes a soft noise. “So we just all date each other? The three of us?”

“Maybe not all three of us.” Morris offers. “Maybe me and Gisu both date you? We could probably work out a timetable.”

And that's how it starts :]

Obviously they're not perfectly aligned right then and there—they spend some more time talking, trying to figure out what they want. Dion and Morris go on a date atop the waterrise ("first one to the top wins!" "oh, you're on."), and then Gisu drags Dion off for a "skatedate." Morris and Gisu request permission to go out to town and then go watch a movie together, trying to figure out if they're even interested in each other. The three of them hang out like they normally do, any awkwardness lingering in the air disappearing as they settle into a comfortable dynamic.

They don't tell anyone what's going on, not right away. They're all still trying to figure everything out themselves, sort-of sort-of-not dating while trying to get their bearings. Gisu and Dion do research on polyamory at the local library together. Morris subtly (read: very unsubtly) broaches the topic to Milla, asking her what she thinks of it. Milla correctly intuits what's going on and reminds Morris that "communication and consent are the basis of a healthy relationship."

So everyone (except Milla) initially assumes that Dion & Gisu are still dating, and whatever was going on with Dion & Morris has been worked out. Everything's back to normal, no need to worry about the rest of the junior agents being dragged into the drama.

Morris and Gisu and Dion slowly settle into a relationship. They have a few small fights, early on, a few disagreements as they slowly work out their new dynamic. Every time, they return to the same spot in the Questionable Area to hash it out. They're not perfect. But they're willing to work for it, all three of them.

They're still working out how to go about announcing it—Dion does want to tell his parents, he's still looking for the words—still working out how to explain it, when Norma, looking for Gisu to get her help with an assignment, finds Gisu and Morris having a picnic together, unambiguously making out.

It goes about as well as you'd expect.

[shauriofabydos]

                                                        MEMBERS OF SG-14                                                                (Main Verse)

                                    See below the cut for biographical information

Name: Amelia Dunbar Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Position on Team: Leader/Tactical Expert Age: 42 Born: St. Louis, MO Significant Other(s): Dr. Joseph Dunbar (husband) Children: Elizabeth Dunbar (9), Michael Dunbar (7) Parents: Michael Yates (father), Antoinette Yates (mother) Siblings: Two younger sisters, Tanya and Jacqueline FC: Angela Bassett

Biographical Overview: Born in St. Louis, MO to two high school teachers. Her family was always tight-knit, loving, and supportive, but they struggled financially. As the oldest of three girls, Amelia took on the role of caregiver early in life. She not only took care of her younger sisters regularly, but also started working to earn more money for the family as soon as she was able. This occasionally interfered with her academic success, but Amelia was always far too stubborn and determined to let a hectic life stop her. Despite working two jobs and caring for her sisters, she managed to finish high school third in her class. Upon graduation, she decided to seek out new challenges in the Air Force. 

At both the Academy and in the early years of her career, Amelia distinguished herself as an exemplary officer with a keen strategic mind and strong, no-nonsense leadership skills. As she rose through the ranks, she was often feared by her subordinates, but always earned their utmost respect. When the Stargate Program began to pick up steam, her record and reputation made her one of the earliest recruits. For several years, she was a member of SG-6, before finally earning her own command as the leader of SG-14. 

Meanwhile, as her career was thriving, so was her personal life. On an early assignment before joining the SGC, she met a physicist named Dr. Joseph Dunbar who was contracted to work with the Air Force on an aerospace project. Despite her better judgement, the two fell in love and were soon married. He moved with her to Colorado when she was offered a position at the SGC. They have two young children, Elizabeth and Michael.

Psychological Profile: To most people, Amelia is stern, stoic, and hard to read. She doesn’t suffer fools lightly and can always be counted on for a plan and a cool head in tense moments. She is the very image of a leader. But it would be a mistake write her off as ‘cold.’ She deliberately keeps her emotions out of her work as best she can. Beneath the well-trained exterior, she is deeply maternal and is incredibly protective of anyone she sees as being her care. She will dole out lots of ‘tough love’, but serve as steady support all the same. Those who know her best - namely, her family and her teammates - know that she can be incredibly warm and funny. She has an enormous capacity for love, even if few people see it up close. She is deeply mission-oriented, but ultimately, her primary goal is to protect her own and the people who are counting on her. 

Name: Kendra Park Rank: Major Position on Team: Aerospace Engineer/Tech Expert Age: 33 Born: New York, NY Significant Other(s): Catarina Olivera (partner) Children: N/A Parents: Ki-tae Park (father), Margaret Flaherty (mother) Siblings: N/A FC: Moon Bloodgood

Biographical Overview: Born in New York City, the only child of two Air Force officers. Growing up, she moved around the world on a regular basis, going wherever her parents’ assignments took them. She excelled at school, especially in science and languages. Aside from English, she became fluent in Korean and German. The former was learned from her father, a first-generation South Korean, and her immigrant grandparents; the latter came from spending her formative teen years in Germany while her parents were stationed at Ramstein Air Base. Without siblings and with friendships that only lasted as long as she lived in a particular place, Kendra’s childhood was often fairly lonely. She found it easier to relate to older base personnel than people her own age, and quickly developed a tendency towards precocious disobedience.

It seemed only natural that Kendra would join the Air Force once she was old enough. Between her strong academic record and the respect garnered by her parents’ reputations, she was easily accepted into the Air Force Academy. There, she finally felt at home. She was able to pursue her burgeoning interest in aerospace engineering, as well as work on keeping her often fiery temper in check (to varying degrees of success). 

Her work at the academy, as well her early career upon graduation caught the attention of the Stargate Program. She was recruited and assigned to SG-7, a research/science team. She also was involved in the project to develop the F-302 fighters. After several years with SG-7, Kendra sought the opportunity to expand her field experience and go on more exploratory missions. She was eventually reassigned to SG-14 under the command of Lt. Col. Dunbar. 

Kendra lives with her partner, Catarina, who works as a nurse in Colorado Springs. 

Psychological Profile: Kendra is the most outgoing member of her team. Talkative and engaging, she is the sort of person who draws people in naturally when they meet her. Her military upbringing has instilled the importance of duty and honor, even if her own pride and quick temper often stand in the way of seamlessly living up to those ideals. She has a rather lengthy record of write-ups for insubordination, a tendency that has occasionally caused problems on missions. Still, Kendra is fiercely loyal and would not hesitate to sacrifice herself in order to protect her teammates. She has a biting, sarcastic sense of humor that she will unleash on just about anyone -- good-naturedly or not. Whether she loves or hates someone, they will feel it strongly.

Name: David Ramos Rank: 1st Lieutenant Position on Team: Medic Age: 28 Born: Santa Barbara, CA Significant Other(s): N/A Children: N/A Parents: Alberto Ramos (father -- deceased), Maria Ramos (mother) Siblings: James Ramos (older brother - deceased), Clara Ramos (younger sister) FC: Bob Morely

Biographical Overview: Growing up the middle child, David was always the ‘quiet one’ of his family. Shy and smart, he excelled in school -- even if his reserved nature made it hard for him to make many friends. His biggest passion, though, was for baseball. Ever since he began going to games with his father as a kid, he knew he wanted to play in the majors. And, as it turned out, he was good too. Eventually, he earned an athletic scholarship to attend UC Santa Barbara. David made the baseball team and, for the first year, it seemed like he was on track to achieve his dreams. 

Until tragedy struck: David’s father and older brother were tragically killed in a car accident his sophomore year of college, turning his world upside down. With the emotional and financial foundations of the family gone, David worried about how his mother and sister would get by. He ultimately decided that relying on a career in baseball would be too unpredictable - there was no guarantee that he would ever make it. So, he turned to an interest he’d developed through his classes: medicine. It was hard to give up his childhood goals, but for his family, he didn’t hesitate. Knowing he would never be able to afford medical school on his own, upon graduation, David decided to join the Air Force and train as a medic. 

After several years of distinctive service (all the while sending money home to his family), David was recruited to the Stargate Program. At first he was reluctant to join, given the distance from his mother and sister, but the opportunity was too good to ignore. Over the years, he’d come to love the Air Force and his role as a doctor. After spending time on the SGC medical staff, he was eventually assigned to SG-14 as the team’s medic.

Psychological Profile: Shy, quiet, not much of a talker. He is used to being responsible for others, and has a tendency to carry as much of his family/team’s weight on his shoulders as he can. A natural ‘fixer’ and peacemaker. The fact that he’s quiet, however, should not be taken to mean that he has no opinion. He is intelligent and perceptive, and has a keen sense of humor that sneaks out when he deems it appropriate. He is deeply loyal, dedicated, and passionate about the mission of the program. However, his reserved nature can sometimes be read as standoffishness, and those who don’t know him well often do not know what to make of him. He rarely - if ever - talks about his father and brother. David is a perfect example of the phrase ‘still waters run deep.’

Name: Sha’uri Rank: N/A Position on Team: Translator/Diplomat Age: 25 Born: Nagada, Abydos Significant Other(s): Dr. Daniel Jackson (husband) Children: Shifu (son - ascended) Parents: Kasuf (father), Mina (mother - deceased)  Siblings: Skaara (younger brother) FC: Mili Avital

Biographical Overview: Sha’uri was born into slavery on the planet Abydos, which was then controlled by the Goa’uld Supreme System Lord Ra. She was raised in Nagada, a naquadah mining outpost. Like the rest of her people, she was forbidden from learning to read or write. When she was 20, Tau’ri explorers came through the Stargate. Sha’uri was given in marriage to one, Dr. Daniel Jackson, and soon helped him learn to speak the language. After discovering that Ra was not a true god, she rallied the Abydonians together in rebellion. With the help of the Tau’ri, the rebellion was successful and Ra was killed. Meanwhile, Sha’uri and Daniel had developed genuine feelings for one another, and he decided to remain on Abydos after the Tau’ri returned to Earth.

A year later, the Goa’uld returned, this time led by the System Lord Apophis. Sha’uri was captured and chosen as a host for his queen, Amaunet. She spent several years as a host, in the process bearing Apophis’ child. For his own protection, the boy was eventually hidden away out of reach of the Goa’uld. Once freed from Amaunet’s control by the Tok’ra, Sha’uri joined SG-1 and the rest of the Stargate Program to help find the boy. Once it was discovered that he was in the care of Oma Desala, it was determined that that was the safest place for the child, and he eventually ascended. 

After the completion of the mission, Sha’uri’s skills were determined too valuable to the program to lose. Her ability to translate Goa’uld, as well as the knowledge of their culture and politics gleaned during her time as a host, made her an asset. Her background also made her relatable to those living on Goa’uld-controlled worlds and as such, she proved to be a useful negotiator, diplomat, and representative of the Tau’ri cause. She was eventually assigned to SG-14.

Psychological Profile: With a curious and fiercely intelligent nature, Sha’uri was always quietly at odds with the restrictive traditions of her homeworld. Her role in the rebellion was a turning point, opening her eyes to her own potential and inspiring her to become more outgoing and confident. She no longer hesitates to ask questions or to speak her mind. As if to make up for lost time, she reads voraciously, learning all that she can. Quick-witted, compassionate, and with a warm sense of humor, she is almost universally liked by her colleagues. However, she can sometimes prove stubborn, and even jealous under the wrong circumstances. It should also be noted that the trauma from her time as a host is still fresh. She has frequent nightmares and does not sleep soundly. She feels a deep anger about what happened to her, but resists indulging or even addressing those feelings. Instead, she throws herself into her work, focusing on others, rather than her own health. 

[battybat-boss]

Teens Increasingly Choosing Screens Over Books and Reading

By Dr. Mercola

I love to read and make it my practice to read 150 books a year. As a source of learning and entertainment, reading can be done nearly anytime, anywhere. When combined with exercise, reading becomes one of the healthiest recreational habits you can have. My favorite time to read is during walks on the beach, using my Kindle.

Sadly, research suggests teens are spending more time texting and using social media than reading books. The fact that many teens seldom pick up a book is becoming widely accepted as normal behavior. Here's what you need to know about this alarming trend and what you can do to instill a love of books and reading in children of all ages.

Screen Time for Teens Has Tripled in the Past 40 Years

A multiyear study1 published by the American Psychological Association reveals high school-aged teens spend more time texting and trolling social media than they do reading books and magazines. Researchers from San Diego State University analyzed data taken from an ongoing study called Monitoring the Future, which was launched at the University of Michigan in 1975.2

That study involves taking a national sample of about 50,000 eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students annually - asking them about their behaviors, attitudes and values.

The work is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The conclusions the San Diego State team has drawn on technology trends are supported by survey data collected from more than 1 million teenagers from 1976 to 2016. The study authors report:3,4

1 in 3 U.S. high school seniors did not read a single book (including e-books) for pleasure in 2016

82 percent of 12th-graders said they visited social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter “almost every day” in 2016, compared to just 52 percent in 2016; there were comparable increases for eighth- and 10th-graders

The percentage of 12th-graders who reported using social media less than once a week declined from 27 percent in 2008 to 8 percent in 2016

In the mid-2010s, the average American 12th-grader reported daily totals of approximately two hours texting, just over two hours on the internet (including video gaming) and just under two hours on social media - for a total of about six hours of non-TV screen time

During the same time period, 10th-graders reported spending five hours and eighth-graders four hours per day on texting, internet and social media

Although TV use has declined, it still accounts for about two hours a day, which means 12th-graders now spend just under eight hours a day on screens - excluding classroom, homework and on-the-job screen time.

Screen time (TV only) in the late 1970s, prior to the widespread availability of computers and cellphones, was reported as about 2.5 hours a day, which means the use of screens has tripled in the past 40 years.

“Compared with previous generations, teens in the 2010s spent more time online and less time with traditional media, such as books, magazines and television,” said lead study author and San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge, Ph.D., author of the book “iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood - and What That Means for the Rest of Us.”

“Time on digital media has displaced time once spent enjoying a book or watching TV,” she says.5  While the researchers noted little variance based on gender, race or socioeconomic status, they did observe girls spent more time on social media than boys, and boys reported spending more time playing video games than girls.6

Study Suggests Teens Have Little Time for, or Interest in, Traditional Media

Twenge's research suggests the long hours spent in the digital world seriously diminish the time teens spend consuming traditional media like books, magazines and TV. The decline in reading print media has been particularly steep. According to the study results:7

While about 60 percent of high school seniors reported reading a book, magazine or newspaper every single day during the 1970s, only 16 percent of 12th-graders reported doing so in 2016

In the early 1990s, 33 percent of 10th-graders said they read a newspaper almost every day; by 2016, that number fell to just 2 percent

In the late 1970s, 60 percent of 12th-graders said they read a book or magazine almost every day; by 2016, just 16 percent did

In 2016, high school seniors also reported reading two fewer books annually compared to their counterparts in 1976

In the 1990s, 22 percent of eighth-graders reported watching five or more hours of TV per day versus 13 percent in 2016

“There's no lack of intelligence among young people, but they do have less experience focusing for longer periods of time and reading long-form text,” said Twenge.8 She suggests being able to read long-form text is an important life skill and necessary to ensure young people are able to understand complex issues and develop critical thinking skills.

The skill set and attention it takes to digest concepts in long-form writing are notably different than those needed to glance at a text message or status update, says Twenge.9

Concerning Tech Trends Impact College, Mood and 'Text Neck'

Twenge, who is a mother of three children, suggests less time spent reading could translate to decreased interest in college or poorer performance in college.10 Beyond that, social media usage has been shown to contribute to mood issues and increased social isolation.

Teens who spend any time on Facebook or Instagram are sure to be inundated with photos and posts depicting other people's seemingly perfect lives. Even spending the average of 48 minutes a day on Facebook11 can stir up feelings of envy and covetousness, affect mood and well-being and even lead to depression, as noted in one study involving more than 700 college students.12

A 2015 Danish study13 involving 1,095 participants revealed causal evidence that Facebook negatively affects well-being. When comparing a group who took a one-week break from Facebook to a control group who continued using the social media site, researchers found taking a break from Facebook increased life satisfaction and induced positive emotions.

According to data provided by online measurement company SimilarWeb, U.S. users of social media spend, on average, the following amounts of time on social media daily:14

Facebook - 48 minutes

Instagram - 53 minutes

Snapchat - 49.5 minutes

To put the time spent on social media in context, consider the time spent daily on these other leisure activities:15

Watching TV and movies - 2.8 hours

Eating and drinking - 1.07 hours

Reading - 19 minutes

Participating in sports or exercise - 17 minutes

In terms of effects on your teen's physical health from too much screen time, consider the relatively new health complication called “text neck,” which results from the damage a consistently forward-tilted head posture can have on the cervical spine. In a 2014 study published in Surgical Technology International, New York spine surgeon Dr. Kenneth Hansraj said:16

"The weight seen by the spine dramatically increases when flexing the head forward at varying degrees. Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration and possibly surgeries.”

What Can You Do to Encourage Your Teen to Read More?

Below are some suggestions for encouraging your teen to read more:17

Provide a healthy example by making reading a priority in your own life

Research specific topics and titles so you can suggest interesting books to your teen

Encourage your teen toward book series, which may fuel their desire to read more than a single title

Make reading a family activity and read books aloud to younger children

Consider giving small rewards for every five or 10 books read

Prioritize regular trips to your local library and invite a librarian to help your teen find books suited to his/her interest

If your teen is not a fan of reading traditional books, encourage them to listen to audio books or download e-books on a Kindle or other device

For teens, graphic novels may help spark interest in reading due to the abundance of pictures and age-appropriate themes

Talk to your teen about the interesting books you are reading

UK Study Finds Parents Are Spending Less Time Reading to Their Kids

An annual study performed by Nielsen Book Research, involving interviews with nearly 1,600 parents of birth to 13-year-olds and more than 400 parents of 14- to 17-year-olds, suggests parents are spending less time reading to their children.

While 69 percent of preschool children were read to daily in 2013, the figure slipped to 51 percent in 2017.18 In terms of the primary reason for not reading to their children, the survey revealed:

19 percent of parents of 3- to 4-year-old children noted a lack of energy at the end of the day

16 percent suggested their child preferred “to do other things”

61 percent of parents were concerned about how much time their children spent in front of a screen

Regardless of the reasons for the decline in time spent reading to children, publisher Egmont, which contributed funding for the research, said the decline correlated with an increase in time spent by toddlers watching daily online video content.19

According to The Guardian, “Egmont warned that the 'steep decline' in reading to young children 'signaled a significant threat to child development, with potential long-term social impact'.”20 About the survey results, Alison David, Egmont's consumer insight director, said:21

“It's no surprise parents of toddlers are exhausted - the pressure on families is enormous, especially as parents struggle to balance returning to work and meaningful time at home.

However, at such a crucial time in a child's development, it's essential parents understand the enormous benefits reading for pleasure will bring them and their child, both in terms of attainment and enjoyment.”

Reading Aloud to Your Child Helps Prepare Them for School and Life

In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics began recommending parents read aloud to their children from birth.22

Crucial aspects of brain development occur during the first three years of life, and reading aloud to your child during this time may help build their vocabulary and communication skills, among other benefits. Reading aloud to your child can help them:23

Build curiosity, memory and motivation

Cope during times of stress or tragedy

Develop a positive association with books and reading

Encounter new words, ideas, people and places beyond what they may encounter in day-to-day conversation or during screen time

Practice listening

Understand the meaning of language and promote language development

The Health of Your Teen Is Impacted by the Amount of Time Spent on Screens

The technology trends for teens paint a clear and convincing picture about the importance of monitoring and reducing the amount of time spent in front of a screen. Particularly if your child is approaching or exceeds the daily average of eight hours, it's time to make a change.

Beyond the factors already mentioned, you will want to consider the potential negative health implications of continuous use of cellphones and Wi-Fi, which exposes your teen to untold doses of radiation that has been shown to cause:

An inability to focus on complex and long-term tasks

Decreased brain motor function

Diminished reaction time

Social and emotional problems

Computer screens and most light bulbs also emit blue light, to which your eyes are particularly sensitive because it's the type of light most common outdoors during daytime hours. Exposure to too much blue light during evening hours has been shown to disrupt melatonin production and increase alertness.24 According to the National Sleep Foundation, research shows:25

Children who use electronic media at night go to bed later, get fewer hours of sleep per week and report more daytime sleepiness

Adolescents with a TV in their bedroom go to bed later, have more difficulty falling asleep and have a shorter total sleep time

Sending texts or emails after initially going to bed increases daytime sleepiness among teens, even if it's done only once a week

For your peace of mind and the well-being of your child, require them to turn off their cellphone, computer, game system, tablet or TV an hour or two before bedtime. If they must use these devices after sunset, buy them a pair of blue-blocking glasses.

It's Never Too Late to Inspire a Love of Books and Reading

Invest time early on to make reading to your child a daily habit. Read to them as infants and toddlers and continue reading to them daily until they are old enough to read to you. As they grow older, let them decide what to read or choose a book you both enjoy and take turns reading a chapter aloud each night before bed.

With respect to older teens, you may deem it too late to change well-established unhealthy tech habits. Before you decide it's not worth the effort, you might try reasoning with them about the alarming trends and potential health risks of too much screen time. Your goal: Arm them with the facts and allow them to decide if it's worth the risk.

You might be surprised at their reaction when you come to the conversation armed with helpful information about the increasingly negative impact of screens on American culture and health.

After all, it seems likely most older teens are able to recognize the downsides of too much technology, especially the kind that not only crowds out books and reading, but also may negatively impact their relationships and health.

For more information on how screens are affecting children, check out the video above, which highlights a documentary called “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age.”26

This 2016 production, created by primary care physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston, explores parental struggles over internet addiction, social media and video games with the goal of equipping parents and kids with solutions to promote balance.

[sherristockman]

Teens Increasingly Choosing Screens Over Books and Reading Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola I love to read and make it my practice to read 150 books a year. As a source of learning and entertainment, reading can be done nearly anytime, anywhere. When combined with exercise, reading becomes one of the healthiest recreational habits you can have. My favorite time to read is during walks on the beach, using my Kindle. Sadly, research suggests teens are spending more time texting and using social media than reading books. The fact that many teens seldom pick up a book is becoming widely accepted as normal behavior. Here’s what you need to know about this alarming trend and what you can do to instill a love of books and reading in children of all ages. Screen Time for Teens Has Tripled in the Past 40 Years A multiyear study1 published by the American Psychological Association reveals high school-aged teens spend more time texting and trolling social media than they do reading books and magazines. Researchers from San Diego State University analyzed data taken from an ongoing study called Monitoring the Future, which was launched at the University of Michigan in 1975.2 That study involves taking a national sample of about 50,000 eighth-, 10th- and 12th-grade students annually — asking them about their behaviors, attitudes and values. The work is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The conclusions the San Diego State team has drawn on technology trends are supported by survey data collected from more than 1 million teenagers from 1976 to 2016. The study authors report:3,4 1 in 3 U.S. high school seniors did not read a single book (including e-books) for pleasure in 2016 82 percent of 12th-graders said they visited social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter “almost every day” in 2016, compared to just 52 percent in 2016; there were comparable increases for eighth- and 10th-graders The percentage of 12th-graders who reported using social media less than once a week declined from 27 percent in 2008 to 8 percent in 2016 In the mid-2010s, the average American 12th-grader reported daily totals of approximately two hours texting, just over two hours on the internet (including video gaming) and just under two hours on social media — for a total of about six hours of non-TV screen time During the same time period, 10th-graders reported spending five hours and eighth-graders four hours per day on texting, internet and social media Although TV use has declined, it still accounts for about two hours a day, which means 12th-graders now spend just under eight hours a day on screens — excluding classroom, homework and on-the-job screen time. Screen time (TV only) in the late 1970s, prior to the widespread availability of computers and cellphones, was reported as about 2.5 hours a day, which means the use of screens has tripled in the past 40 years. “Compared with previous generations, teens in the 2010s spent more time online and less time with traditional media, such as books, magazines and television,” said lead study author and San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge, Ph.D., author of the book “iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy — and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood — and What That Means for the Rest of Us.” “Time on digital media has displaced time once spent enjoying a book or watching TV,” she says.5 While the researchers noted little variance based on gender, race or socioeconomic status, they did observe girls spent more time on social media than boys, and boys reported spending more time playing video games than girls.6 Study Suggests Teens Have Little Time for, or Interest in, Traditional Media Twenge’s research suggests the long hours spent in the digital world seriously diminish the time teens spend consuming traditional media like books, magazines and TV. The decline in reading print media has been particularly steep. According to the study results:7 While about 60 percent of high school seniors reported reading a book, magazine or newspaper every single day during the 1970s, only 16 percent of 12th-graders reported doing so in 2016 In the early 1990s, 33 percent of 10th-graders said they read a newspaper almost every day; by 2016, that number fell to just 2 percent In the late 1970s, 60 percent of 12th-graders said they read a book or magazine almost every day; by 2016, just 16 percent did In 2016, high school seniors also reported reading two fewer books annually compared to their counterparts in 1976 In the 1990s, 22 percent of eighth-graders reported watching five or more hours of TV per day versus 13 percent in 2016 “There's no lack of intelligence among young people, but they do have less experience focusing for longer periods of time and reading long-form text,” said Twenge.8 She suggests being able to read long-form text is an important life skill and necessary to ensure young people are able to understand complex issues and develop critical thinking skills. The skill set and attention it takes to digest concepts in long-form writing are notably different than those needed to glance at a text message or status update, says Twenge.9 Concerning Tech Trends Impact College, Mood and ‘Text Neck’ Twenge, who is a mother of three children, suggests less time spent reading could translate to decreased interest in college or poorer performance in college.10 Beyond that, social media usage has been shown to contribute to mood issues and increased social isolation. Teens who spend any time on Facebook or Instagram are sure to be inundated with photos and posts depicting other people's seemingly perfect lives. Even spending the average of 48 minutes a day on Facebook11 can stir up feelings of envy and covetousness, affect mood and well-being and even lead to depression, as noted in one study involving more than 700 college students.12 A 2015 Danish study13 involving 1,095 participants revealed causal evidence that Facebook negatively affects well-being. When comparing a group who took a one-week break from Facebook to a control group who continued using the social media site, researchers found taking a break from Facebook increased life satisfaction and induced positive emotions. According to data provided by online measurement company SimilarWeb, U.S. users of social media spend, on average, the following amounts of time on social media daily:14 Facebook — 48 minutes Instagram — 53 minutes Snapchat — 49.5 minutes To put the time spent on social media in context, consider the time spent daily on these other leisure activities:15 Watching TV and movies — 2.8 hours Eating and drinking — 1.07 hours Reading — 19 minutes Participating in sports or exercise — 17 minutes In terms of effects on your teen’s physical health from too much screen time, consider the relatively new health complication called “text neck,” which results from the damage a consistently forward-tilted head posture can have on the cervical spine. In a 2014 study published in Surgical Technology International, New York spine surgeon Dr. Kenneth Hansraj said:16 "The weight seen by the spine dramatically increases when flexing the head forward at varying degrees. Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration and possibly surgeries.” What Can You Do to Encourage Your Teen to Read More? Below are some suggestions for encouraging your teen to read more:17 Provide a healthy example by making reading a priority in your own life Research specific topics and titles so you can suggest interesting books to your teen Encourage your teen toward book series, which may fuel their desire to read more than a single title Make reading a family activity and read books aloud to younger children Consider giving small rewards for every five or 10 books read Prioritize regular trips to your local library and invite a librarian to help your teen find books suited to his/her interest If your teen is not a fan of reading traditional books, encourage them to listen to audio books or download e-books on a Kindle or other device For teens, graphic novels may help spark interest in reading due to the abundance of pictures and age-appropriate themes Talk to your teen about the interesting books you are reading UK Study Finds Parents Are Spending Less Time Reading to Their Kids An annual study performed by Nielsen Book Research, involving interviews with nearly 1,600 parents of birth to 13-year-olds and more than 400 parents of 14- to 17-year-olds, suggests parents are spending less time reading to their children. While 69 percent of preschool children were read to daily in 2013, the figure slipped to 51 percent in 2017.18 In terms of the primary reason for not reading to their children, the survey revealed: 19 percent of parents of 3- to 4-year-old children noted a lack of energy at the end of the day 16 percent suggested their child preferred “to do other things” 61 percent of parents were concerned about how much time their children spent in front of a screen Regardless of the reasons for the decline in time spent reading to children, publisher Egmont, which contributed funding for the research, said the decline correlated with an increase in time spent by toddlers watching daily online video content.19 According to The Guardian, “Egmont warned that the ‘steep decline’ in reading to young children ‘signaled a significant threat to child development, with potential long-term social impact’.”20 About the survey results, Alison David, Egmont’s consumer insight director, said:21 “It’s no surprise parents of toddlers are exhausted — the pressure on families is enormous, especially as parents struggle to balance returning to work and meaningful time at home. However, at such a crucial time in a child’s development, it’s essential parents understand the enormous benefits reading for pleasure will bring them and their child, both in terms of attainment and enjoyment.” Reading Aloud to Your Child Helps Prepare Them for School and Life In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics began recommending parents read aloud to their children from birth.22 Crucial aspects of brain development occur during the first three years of life, and reading aloud to your child during this time may help build their vocabulary and communication skills, among other benefits. Reading aloud to your child can help them:23 Build curiosity, memory and motivation Cope during times of stress or tragedy Develop a positive association with books and reading Encounter new words, ideas, people and places beyond what they may encounter in day-to-day conversation or during screen time Practice listening Understand the meaning of language and promote language development The Health of Your Teen Is Impacted by the Amount of Time Spent on Screens The technology trends for teens paint a clear and convincing picture about the importance of monitoring and reducing the amount of time spent in front of a screen. Particularly if your child is approaching or exceeds the daily average of eight hours, it’s time to make a change. Beyond the factors already mentioned, you will want to consider the potential negative health implications of continuous use of cellphones and Wi-Fi, which exposes your teen to untold doses of radiation that has been shown to cause: An inability to focus on complex and long-term tasks Decreased brain motor function Diminished reaction time Social and emotional problems Computer screens and most light bulbs also emit blue light, to which your eyes are particularly sensitive because it's the type of light most common outdoors during daytime hours. Exposure to too much blue light during evening hours has been shown to disrupt melatonin production and increase alertness.24 According to the National Sleep Foundation, research shows:25 Children who use electronic media at night go to bed later, get fewer hours of sleep per week and report more daytime sleepiness Adolescents with a TV in their bedroom go to bed later, have more difficulty falling asleep and have a shorter total sleep time Sending texts or emails after initially going to bed increases daytime sleepiness among teens, even if it's done only once a week For your peace of mind and the well-being of your child, require them to turn off their cellphone, computer, game system, tablet or TV an hour or two before bedtime. If they must use these devices after sunset, buy them a pair of blue-blocking glasses. It’s Never Too Late to Inspire a Love of Books and Reading Invest time early on to make reading to your child a daily habit. Read to them as infants and toddlers and continue reading to them daily until they are old enough to read to you. As they grow older, let them decide what to read or choose a book you both enjoy and take turns reading a chapter aloud each night before bed. With respect to older teens, you may deem it too late to change well-established unhealthy tech habits. Before you decide it’s not worth the effort, you might try reasoning with them about the alarming trends and potential health risks of too much screen time. Your goal: Arm them with the facts and allow them to decide if it’s worth the risk. You might be surprised at their reaction when you come to the conversation armed with helpful information about the increasingly negative impact of screens on American culture and health. After all, it seems likely most older teens are able to recognize the downsides of too much technology, especially the kind that not only crowds out books and reading, but also may negatively impact their relationships and health. For more information on how screens are affecting children, check out the video above, which highlights a documentary called “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age.”26 This 2016 production, created by primary care physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston, explores parental struggles over internet addiction, social media and video games with the goal of equipping parents and kids with solutions to promote balance.