Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2017 i MASK The Magazine

We have a squad of five at our home, with a decade between oldest to youngest. Needless to say, I’ve always said I have my MASK “test lab” at home. The way I parent has stayed consistent, but the times have changed. Over the years, there have been more and more things to think about, and more and more available at the fingertips of our children. I’ve had conversations with my oldest son about technology and social media, and he’s always said how glad he is that he got a chance to be a kid growing up. He played outside and got dirty. He didn’t have all of that static. Today, children are being robbed and taken hostage by a device that fits in the palm of their hand. Honestly,…

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The Internet offers a world of education and unlimited knowledge. Children are open to new ways of learning and connecting with friends and family. But as we all know, they are also exposed to a world of potential dangers. Texting, gaming apps and social networking platforms can expose your child to cyberbullying, inappropriate and explicit material, and alarmingly, even to sexual predators. As a parent, it’s important to be aware of the issues in today’s digital era. Here are some to know and understand in order to keep your children safe. DIGITAL FOOTPRINT Did you know that every time you go online, you leave a trail—a record of what you casually browse on the web, what you post on social media, or what you discuss in a group forum? And…

#connected S.A.T What it’s all about S.A.T (Student Awareness Tools)® is designed to give students a voice on important issues facing them today. By explaining how their world looks and feels, they can show how students have dealt with, overcome or been empowered by their experience. To have your school considered for an upcoming issue, contact Michelle Jacoby at mjacoby@maskmatters.org. The sun began to peek over the far off hills when the subtle buzzing of an iPhone made the young teenage girl jump up from under her covers. In an instant, her thumbs tapped wildly on the screen, anxious to reply to the list of notifications starting to stack up. “Oh. My. God,” she muttered, as a mischievous grin grew on her face and she continued to type away. The…

“ It’s illegal. It’s child pornography if you’re under 18. It’s not OK. It’s your body; if you want to show someone, show them in person.” – SOPHOMORE, 15 “ If you’re gonna do it, don’t put your face in it. Don’t send it to someone you don’t trust, because if they get out, they could hurt you in the long run. At the end of the day, it’s your decision, so make it carefully.” – SENIOR, 17 “ I don’t think sending nudes is a good thing. I think it’s a bad thing because they can get spread around school very easily.” – SENIOR, 17 “ My opinion is that it shouldn’t be done because it’s inappropriate. Your body is for yourself, not someone else.” – FRESHMAN, 15 “…

Several members of Pinnacle High School’s National Honor Society (NHS), Key Club and Spiritline were among MASK’s keys to success for its 10th Annual MASKer Aide Ball, held Oct. 7 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort. This year’s España-themed ball was a great success thanks to everyone involved, including the responsible and efficient volunteers from Pinnacle High School. From set-up to breakdown, the help of these students was invaluable. The day began early with set-up of the extensive silent auction. NHS and Key Club members and several girls from the Spiritline were there to assist with every detail. From decor to social media shoutouts, students arrived in shifts throughout the day and several stayed until the end of the event late into the evening. For the past year, MASK’s Executive…

CHILD READING LIST “Super Social Media and Awesome Online Safety” by Clive Gifford “Social Networking and Social Media Safety” by Eric Minton “iRules: What Every Tech-Healthy Family Needs to Know About Selfies, Sexting, Gaming, and Growing Up” by Janell Burley Hofmann PARENT READING LIST “Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World” by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane “Screen-Smart Parenting: How to Find Balance and Benefit in Your Child’s Use of Social Media, Apps, and Digital Devices” by Jodi Gold “Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive and Survive in Their Digital World” by Devorah Heitner As kids get older, they become more interested in technology, which is a large part of the education system now. By first grade, most kids have a school email account and are actively using the…

STUDENT READING LIST “The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Social Change” by Andy Smith and Jennifer Aaker “Sex, College, and Social Media: A Commonsense Guide to Navigating the Hookup Culture” by Cindy Pierce “Online Social Networking on Campus: Understanding What Matters in Student Culture” by Ana Martinez-Aleman PARENT READING LIST “Social Media for Educators: Strategies and Best Practices” by Tanya Joosten “Disconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap” by Carrie James “Sexploitation: Helping Kids Develop Healthy Sexuality in a Porn- Driven World” by Cindy Pierce Since they are now making their own decisions, it’s best to have collaborative conversations with your college-age child about social media and how to appropriately use it as an adult. Remind them of the rules of…

When Aundria Littlejohn says she’s been involved in more than 900 projects at Arizona State University (ASU), she might be exaggerating. But only a little. Now finishing up her senior year, the 21-year-old has completed two internships for nonprofits in Los Angeles, worked as an academic mentor and student orientation leader, started the first-ever Miss Academic ASU pageant, and launched her own time-management consulting business—all while serving as Miss Tempe 2017, Miss City of Maricopa 2016 and Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2014. And those are just the big things. “In high school, I was pretty much as heavily involved as I am in college,” Aundria says. “Yearbook, athletic training, student government, planning homecoming, and doing dances and assemblies—anything I could get my hands on. Student engagement was always a…

The sisters offer the following ways you can easily add these delicious disease fighters to your mealtime recipes: The antioxidant-packed turmeric can be consumed in tea form, capsule form, or sprinkled on rice or other side dishes to add flavor and color. Saffron increases blood flow to the brain and is great for adding kick to soups and broth. Ginger, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with arthritis pain, muscle and menstrual cramps, is what gives chai tea its spicy punch and Asian noodle soups or Thai curries their bite. You can get it dried or in fresh, root form. Rosemary is a memory booster that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. A sprig of it even goes well in cocktails! Sage also helps with memory,…

Studies estimate that one in four young people suffer from functionally limiting mental illness, and that digital addiction to “technological heroin” is increasingly the root cause. These miraculous devices—that allow access to a treasure trove of information and a world of collaborative potential—are inherently designed to addict. They also provide access to dark and dangerous territory. Smartphones have disrupted how we connect, function and sleep. As a family, track how many hours you spend on any electronic device in a single day. Multiply that by 365 days, and then by a decade. Decide, as a family, if that’s how you want to spend your lives. If you feel lost or distressed when separated from your phone, or if the lure of technology interferes with your ability to function, professional help…

MOTHERS AWARENESS ON SCHOOL-AGE KIDS COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A MASK SUPPORTER. YOUR IN-KIND, MONETARY DONATION OR SPONSORSHIP WILL PLACE YOU HERE ON THE MASK THE MAGAZINE SUPPORTERS PAGE FOR ONE YEAR. EACH YEAR, MASK HOLDS THE “MASKER AIDE” BALL, OUR BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR. PLEASE CONTACT THE MASK OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP. 480-502-5337…

AmTrust Bank Tony and Corrina Ardizzone – Zzone Construction Avant-Garde, William and Co. Floral Design Suhir Bitar – At Home Pediatric Jenny and Chris Blunier Michelle and Joe Cardini – Bristol Global Mobility Classic Party Rentals Clear Group Retirement LLC Kathy and John Cocca Encore Creative Fairmont Kea Lani Fairmont Mayakoba Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica Dr. Morgan Francis – Scottsdale Premier Rod W. Gore DDS Heather Gray and Kevin Negley Tina Greggo – Greggo Photography Brent Hodges Darcy and Lisa Hordichuk Christina and Zach Ivanhoe Julie and Donald Kent Alyssa S. Levin, DDS, MS – North Valley Orthodontics Lifescape Premier Mais Oui Skincare Tiffaney Malott Meredith Young Fine Jewelry Jaime and Domenick Montanile Beth Moore Mother’s Grace Eric Nelson Mitesh Patel and Shefali Gandhi, PsyD PLLC Nancy and John Pearce…

Our children live in a new world, a world of modern technologies that come with a price of new and ever increasing dangers. Committed to tackling these dangers is Lori Regnier, vice president of the Starbright Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the rescue and protection of Valley youth caught in abusive situations and sex trafficking. With Phoenix now one of the top hubs for sex trafficking, Lori will discuss ways to keep our children safe in an unsafe world, as well as important topics of social media, cell phone and video game dangers. Please mark your calendars for this important event and join us in our effort to train our children to recognize and avoid harmful situations and how to stay safe in an ever-changing world. Starbright Foundation Inc.…

For my family, it’s difficult to look back on the inconceivable path we were forced to walk. If not for my strong faith, I don’t know where I would be. We were your average family living in beautiful Paradise Valley. We raised our children in the church, spent lots of time with them, and had strong family values. We went above and beyond to protect our children from outside influences, including social media, and were quite strict on computer use, making sure our children were monitored. My husband was in law enforcement and had a strong military background. Our children were respectful and good kids. My daughter was your average 14-year-old with typical struggles like most teenage girls. She was reaching the point of being a young woman and, like…

MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization created in 2007 by a group of dedicated mothers who recognized the need to consistently educate families on rapidly changing issues. The MASK mission is to engage and educate parents, children and the community about the issues facing our youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK fulfills its mission by engaging, educating and empowering families through the MASK E3 Institute, MASK The Magazine and our vastly informative website. The MASK E3 Institute is a comprehensive year long multi-year approach to building and strengthening life skills for children, including MASK Storytime (Pre-K), MASK Academy (kindergarten to 6th grade), MASK Prep (middle and high school), MASK Leadership (college) and Parent University. MASK addresses important topics and…

REAL (LEFT) VS. FAKE (RIGHT) With so much to worry about in the world today, a new drug being exposed to our children shouldn’t be one of them. Unfortunately, fake Oxycodone, or “fake Oxy,” has made its way into the United States, affecting communities across the nation. Fake Oxy is affecting young people nationwide. In Phoenix alone, the drug has led to 32 deaths in the last 18 months. The average age of those who have died is 35, and 75 percent of those deaths are male. Because the pills are being sold as Oxycodone, users aren’t aware of the heightened risks they face. Fake Oxy is made with fentanyl, the strongest prescription opiate painkiller on the market. It is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin, and 100…

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook give users the chance to attract hundreds of followers in order to boost their self-esteem. They get some self-assurance, whether it be with a follow, a like or a comment—any feedback that affirms what they think or look like matters. Teens become obsessed with their follower count because followers are considered friends and popularity matters. However, a high follower count takes serious work, something much easier to pay for than work for. A Google search on the term “Instagram followers” results in roughly 77 million websites, many ready to take a lonely teenager’s money. With so much accessibility and prices as low as $5 to $10 per thousand followers, buying popularity seems easy. Unfortunately, downsides and dangers exist for those who…

1 EXPOSED Ellie Snipes* laid in her bed at home, relaxing after a long day in middle school. After getting a notification on her phone from James Fruin*, a boy she recently started seeing exclusively, she opened her Snapchat and saw that he messaged her, asking for a nude photo. Feeling safe in the new relationship, Ellie sent the requested photo, which opened a gate to an influx of problems. His requests continued and one after the other, Ellie sent the intimate photos. Later, Ellie found out James had cheated on her, and she quickly ended the relationship. Hurt by this, James posted her nudes on social media and sent them to his friends. Many of their fellow classmates saw these photos and harshly judged Ellie. Previously seen as a…

CHILD READING LIST “Kindness Wins” by Galit Breen “Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World” by Ana Homayoun “Freaks, Geeks, and Cool Kids” by Murray Milner Jr. PARENT READING LIST “American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers” by Nancy Jo Sales and Therese Plummer “Media Moms and Digital Dads: A Fact-Not-Fear Approach to Parenting in the Digital Age” by Yalda Uhls “The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age” by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa Barker Kids in this age range most likely have phones and probably have social media accounts. Despite the fact that social media isn’t designed for them and they shouldn’t have social media accounts at this age, they somehow get these accounts. Children don’t…

Clue Let’s be real. For women, keeping track of your menstrual cycle is essential to their health. Making sure your cycle is regular and knowing when your period will start gives you peace of mind. However, keeping a log of your menstruation, symptoms and other related changes can be tedious. Having to physically write it in your calendar, in a notebook, or on a notes app just takes too long and isn’t very efficient. Fortunately, there’s a very simple solution that can be found right in your phone. The Clue app offers an easy-to-use logging system that makes note of your period, symptoms and, for women planning to get pregnant, your fertile window. Simply tap the date your period starts and keep a daily log until it ends. The app…

Aurora Behavioral Health Mariah Hile, business development manager at Aurora Behavioral Health, is dedicated to breaking down society’s views on substance use disorder by being a shining example of recovery. Having struggled with her own addiction, treatment and recovery, she has become a force of nature dedicated to helping those who are currently suffering with addiction. “I’m in long-term recovery. I started my journey many years ago, and it wasn’t easy. When I first needed treatment, I was so full of shame. But I knew I needed someone to help me through the process,” she says. After several attempts at treatment, Hile says she finally began to understand there exists a social stigma about drug users. She understood the internal shame they felt and knew this had to change. That…

This year, 2.46 billion people—about one-third of the global population and 71 percent of Internet users—will access social networks at least once a month. That’s up 8.2 percent from 2016, according to eMarketer’s Estimates and Forecast for 2016-2021. The Pew Internet Project demonstrates that: 95 percent of teens ages 12 to 17 are online; 76 percent use social networking sites; 77 percent have cell phones; 96 percent of those ages 18 to 29 are Internet users; 84 percent use social networking sites; 97 percent have cell phones. This explosive growth has occurred at such a rapid pace that it is only recently that research has begun to explore the very real human consequences of highly consumed technology. More intriguing findings include: WARNING SIGN OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE. This study surveyed 1,271…

“ I believe social media is both good and bad. It provides society with information and news around the world, and it connects friends over long distances. It also gives people something to hide behind and to bully others.” – NICHOLAS LAZAROVICI, JUNIOR “ It’s a mixture. When I’m at school, I see kids always on their phones, whether it’s social media or something else, and it makes them antisocial. They aren’t connecting with their peers.” – NICOLE FERRARO, SOPHOMORE “ I think social media has a negative effect. It discourages socializing in person and encourages bullying. Nobody talks in person anymore because they’re always on their phone.” – FAITH LAUIGNER, SENIOR…

Ellie Fern is a singer-songwriter from Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a student at Chaparral High School, where she is a member of an all-girl a cappella group, serves as the publicist for the choir council, and is a featured performer in the top Chaparral High School Choir, despite only being a sophomore. As a guitar student at Bach to Rock Music School in north Scottsdale over the last year, Ellie has taken her songwriting and performance skills to the next level. Since starting lessons last December, she has written a total of seven original songs, many of which she has performed live at various open mic nights in the Scottsdale area. Most recently, she has been spending her Friday nights performing at Vintage Joe’s Americana, a memorabilia shop where Bach…

TEEN READING LIST “It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens” by Danah Boyd “Social Media: Like It or Leave It” by Rebecca Rowell “Light, Bright and Polite: How to Use Social Media to Impress Colleges & Employers” by Josh Ochs PARENT READING LIST “Screens and Teens: Connecting With Our Kids in a Wireless World” by Kathy Koch and Ann Richardson “Family Communication in the Age of Digital and Social Media” by Carol Bruess “The Parent’s Guide to Texting, Facebook, and Social Media: Understanding the Benefits and Dangers of Parenting in a Digital World” by Shawn Marie Edgington Kids under 13 aren’t allowed to have Facebook accounts and there’s a clear reason why: The brain is not yet developed enough to handle the decision-making involved in being a safe, responsible…

All symptoms of the body—from thin, dull hair and sallow skin, to acne breakouts, body aches and sluggish energy—point to the gut. If you want to look and feel young, start weaving these key foods into your diet. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY One of the best ways to address digestive issues is to combine a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water or tea and drink it before a meal. It helps your body break down food, and prevents indigestion and stomach issues after eating. Anytime you can aid the digestive process, you’ll notice glowing skin and a youthful radiance. GARLIC BETTER BODY, BETTER SKIN When we have an overgrowth of candida in the gut, we experience things like acne…