| Media Search: |
26-09-2012 16:27 After receiving attention for gaining weight, Lady Gaga posted photos on social media with the caption 'bulimia and anorexia since I was 15.' The entertainer also announced an effort to encourage body acceptance. (Sept. 26)
Follow this link:
Dr: Lady Gaga's Movement 'Heartwarming' for Fans - Video
iStock/vgajic
According to a teen Web survey commissioned by Cox Communications and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 61 percent of those surveyed had profiles on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. In addition, one-third of the teens said they were considering a face-to-face meeting with someone they met online.
When faced with the potential dangers of social networks, some parents think the only way to keep their kids safe is to ban them from the Web. The problem is that tech-savvy teens know how to get around most software blocks, and can get online at other locations. Although it's impossible to eliminate every online threat, here are a few practical tips that will minimize the risks.
Take Advantage Of Safety Features On Social Networking Sites Most social networking sites have built-in safety features and settings. In MySpace, for example, click on the "Safety Tips" link at the bottom of the home page to access its security information. Learn as much as you can about the security features each site offers, then share the information with your teens.
Teach Teens To Keep Certain Information Private Teach teens to avoid sharing personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, school, age and their real name. Also, they should avoid creating screen names and passwords that contain information such as birth dates or social security numbers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Web users should "only post information that they are comfortable with others seeing and knowing."
Join A Social Networking Site Yourself One of the best ways to monitor a teen's online activity is to join the same social networking site and become their "friend." Keep in mind that they may have accounts set up that you don't know about, but most teens have at least one or more MySpace or Facebook profiles. Don't hang out on the site too much, but do drop in occasionally to see what they are up to.
Let Teens Know About Sexual Predators Social networking sites have become "candy stores" for sexual predators, and most teens are not aware of how dangerous they can be. Teens should avoid posting or texting (especially seductive or nude) photos of themselves, and should never flirt or engage in sexually explicit discussions with anyone. According to the FTC, teens who don't talk about sex with strangers online are less likely to come in contact with predators.
Teach Teens To Report Suspicious Activity If teens feel threatened by someone or afraid because of something said online, they should tell an adult they trust, report it to the social networking site, and the police if necessary. It's usually easy to tell when someone has crossed the line, the hard part is being brave enough to do something about it. Let teens know that by reporting suspicious activity, they might keep someone else from becoming a victim.
See more here:
Keep teens safe while they're online
Two weeks ago, at-large City Councilman Ryan Spain didn't dismiss the potential for a run at mayor.
But after Mayor Jim Ardis announced his intentions last week to seek re-election in 2013, the youngest member of the council has opted not to pursue the top elected city post. For now.
"It would've been something for me to really consider, but with the mayor running for re-election and with the potential of a fellow at-large member running, it seems like a pretty busy contest already," Spain said.
Before Ardis' announcement, Spain said he was "interested to see" Ardis's decision and noted he has six years of experience, the same as Ardis did before he sought the mayoral seat in 2005.
"Certainly the mayor's position is something I've considered before," Spain said then.
Spain versus at-large City Councilman Chuck Weaver might have made for an interesting mayoral race had Ardis decided not to seek re-election. Spain finished second behind Weaver during the April 2011 general election for at-large seats; Weaver got 14,785 votes and Spain finished with 10,072. The top five vote-getters were awarded seats on the Horseshoe. (J.S.)
Content please?
The use of the Internet in political campaigns has grown over the last 15 years. Now, at minimum, websites for candidates running for office are required. But content on those websites apparently isn't considered necessary.
At a candidate forum last week, restaurateur and developer Pat Sullivan, the Republican challenger in the 46th Senate District, was asked why it was that the "issues" section of his website was all but blank six weeks before the election. It simply contained the promise, "Coming soon!"
The candidate said it was being worked on, that he made it clear during forums where he stood on the issues, and there would soon be content added online.
View post:
Word on the Street: Mayoral race too crowded for Ryan Spain
The Irish Times - Monday, October 1, 2012
The key man in bringing the mammoth International Bar Association annual bash to Dublin has found the experience extraordinarily enriching and rewarding, writes CAROLINE MADDEN
SOLICITOR MICHAEL Greene is just back from Ibiza by way of Florence and the UK, and still sporting a dapper Panama-style hat, when we meet in Dublin Airport. However it hasnt been all play for the former AL Goodbody partner recently. He spent about five hours each day of his sojourn sorting out the final logistical details of this weeks International Bar Association conference, which will see about 5,200 lawyers travel to Dublin from around the globe, along with more than 1,500 partners, exhibitors and support staff.
Greene, who has been involved with the IBA since attending his first annual conference in Buenos Aires in 1988, was instrumental in bringing all of this about. At his very first IBA management board meeting five years ago, he proposed that the 2012 annual conference be held in Dublin. It was a leap of faith, he says, since the Convention Centre was merely a shallow hole in the ground and Dublin had little experience of running large conferences.
Competition from potential host cities for the IBAs yearly bash is huge, given the kudos and spending power that it brings, so making a successful bid was a serious coup. This years conference will be the largest gathering of bar association members and international lawyers ever. Naturally, organising an event of this size has not been without its challenges. The Convention Centre Dublin is very well laid out, Greene says, but the largest events of the conference, such as yesterdays opening reception, have to be held in the RDS in order to accommodate all of the delegates.
And then theres the issue of accommodation. Dublin offers about 11,500 beds in hotels which are three-star or higher. However most of the lawyers attending the conference are accustomed to staying in very high-end accommodation and the capital simply doesnt have enough five-star hotels to meet the demand. What Dublin does offer, Greene points out, is Irish charm and hospitality, which he believes will more than compensate for the lack of five-star beds.
In fact, despite the logistical challenges of putting on an event of this scale, everything was coming together nicely until the threat of industrial action at Irelands main airports reared its head last week. Such action would not only have been an embarrassment, he says, but would have been extraordinarily disruptive, especially as most of the key speakers who include a number of Nobel Laureates have to travel here from abroad. Fortunately, the threat of strike action has been averted for now.
The IBA is effectively the global voice for the legal profession, and has over 50,000 members worldwide. With more than 5,000 delegates registered for the conference, thats an impressive attendance rate of over 10 per cent. While a special daily rate is available to Irish lawyers for the last three days of the conference, overseas visitors will have paid a total weekly registration fee in excess of 2,000, not to mention the cost of flights and accommodation. What is it about the IBA annual conference that draws lawyers in such numbers?
It depends. Some come to broaden their knowledge of the practice of law in other jurisdictions, he explains. This category of delegate comes to listen, to learn and to debate, and theres certainly no shortage of opportunity for this. Over the course of the week, more than 200 sessions, lectures and other events will take place.
While Greene will be too busy to attend all the events he would like to, there are several highlights hes determined to squeeze in. Hes looking forward to CNN anchor Todd Benjamins interview of Patricia OBrien, United Nations legal counsel, today.
View post:
Securing conference a serious coup
LONDON, September 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
The school bells are set to ring again to mark the start of the new term so it is time to start thinking of a quick break to take the kids on, or time to start planning for the half-term holidays.
A poll by T-mobile(1) recently showed how we Brits love to boast about a good break away, with 60 per cent admitting to logging on to social networking sites to make others jealous with holiday snaps. And goodness knows there's a lot to be envious about, what with all the cheap holiday deals available - so start updating your plans straightaway.
Living history
Fun and relaxation are top priorities when you head off on your break, and some destinations combine downtime with a little bit of learning - which can interest both grown-ups and children. Egypt is a great example of this, and even the cream of Hollywood are in agreement! For according to Opodo(2), 'A' list parents Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were spotted holidaying here recently. If you do choose to follow in their glittery footsteps then you can check out lots of different attractions, from the soaring Cairo Tower, to the Egyptian Museum, and not forgetting all the amusements and rides at Qanatar.
Big kids, little kids
Florida holidays are the ultimate breaks for kids - and there's plenty for the adults to enjoy too. Attractions in the resort feature dedicated rides and amusements for all age groups, like Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure and Magic Kingdom Park. If you fancy giving yourself a rest from being tossed about and jostled by thrilling roller coaster rides, then Florida's beaches and the wildlife-rich Everglades prove to be the perfect places to relax.
Best of the Med
Cheap all inclusive Family holidays usually have great weather, award-worthy beaches, amenities for all, and a high affordability factor. The crystal coves of Majorca come alive in busy resorts like Magaluf, where kids can watch fun performances like the Pirates Adventure Show. Whether you visit Majorca, Menorca or Ibiza, you can check out water parks, aquariums, and lots of different attractions and amusements. Beyond the Med, Portugal has topped a Post Office(3) list of best-value hotspots, making it another ideal location for cheap holidays abroad.
Budget in Bulgaria
Here is the original post:
Taking Children on Holiday