Sometimes You Just Need to Ask...

A few weeks ago we had the honor of acknowledging our student writers and poem contest winners for the Summer and Fall issues of MASK The Magazine. This is, by far, one of the best job perks I have as MASK Founder. I was able to talk with teens who are living in a world we parents are trying to understand. I struggled to hold back the tears, because what came out of their mouths is what drives me to do what I do every day here at MASK. They verified the generational gap that exists between parents and kids today, and the strong desire they have for their parents to understand them. Kids today have so much coming at them at lightning speed, and they never really have a chance to unplug from it all. One of the responses I heard that I will never forget is: "We are never asked our opinion, we are just always told what to do, whether at school or home." How sad that statement is. Kids need (and want) a platform to talk so that they can process what comes their way. Maybe for starters we just need to ask, and then simply listen.

To watch what the student writers had to say about writing for MASK, click below. 

MASK The Magazine at Changing Hands Bookstore (Short)

Tech Review:   

In a world where danger lurks around every corner, parents constantly need to keep tabs on their children and keep them safe from the threats they face in the world. A new application allows parents to do just that: know where their children are at all times, and enables teens to check-in with their parents without having to make that embarrassing phone call.

Developed by our friends over at Life360, the Life360 Family Locator app (available on Android and iPhone devices) allows parents to know the exact location of their family members, as well as what safety points and threats are nearby (such as an inclusive sex offender locator within the app that shows parents which sex offenders are near their children's current location). With the tap of a button, the app requests each family member to check in and notify you that they are safe. The app works in an unnoticeable way, eliminating embarrassment. 

The application uses your phone's GPS technology to locate your child's exact position so you know where they are at at all times. Additional "premium services" - such as emergency identification, family identity protection and lost item recovery - are also available for purchase through their website at www.Life360.com. Sign up the entire family for the FREE service so you are all connected, and discreetly keep tabs on your children.

If you do not have a smartphone device, you can sign up online at www.Life360.com for the "Life360 On Demand" service, which allows parents access to the most accurate carrier network data available (free 3-month trials, $4.99/month).

The Life360 application is free for iPhone and Android devices. To find a detailed description of each service included in this application, and to view the application screenshots, please visit www.Life360.com.

Keep your family safe and discreetly keep tabs on your children through this fantastic comprehensive application.

 

 Statistics show that drug abuse and first-time marijuana use skyrockets in the summer when kids are often bored or left unattended with too much time on their hands.

Drug trends are constantly changing and taking new forms.

This publication will help illustrate the trends, behaviors and warning signs -- from elementary through college -- and will help prepare you and your family.

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