Parenting in the Social Media age

Parents seem to shrivel at the thought of checking up on their children via social media. For those that embrace the ability to engage your child’s social media presence, this can lead to a dilemma like no other and a breakdown in the personal relationship with your child if not done correctly.

The last thing a child wants is their parents to be a part of their social network simply for the ability to check up on them.

For some parents it seems that the biggest challenge is simply allowing their child to have a social media account, but in today’s society that power is rapidly fading away. The new challenge is to overcome your fear while learning to embrace and interact with your child through social media. This is a revolutionary time where children are being exposed to knowledge at an earlier age than ever before all through the power of social media. This is a scary thought for most parents who grew up in a time where mom and dad had a handle on just about everything in the household. 

So how do parents and children bridge this ever growing gap to form a social media convergence between the two?

Dr. Gwenn O’Keeffe, a well-known author and pediatrician points out several key issues for parents trying to relate to their digitally savvy children. For starters she states that parents may lack the basic understanding of the new forms of socialization, which are now incorporated into their child’s life. Parents also tend to not have the technical abilities or time to keep pace with their children in the ever changing Internet. Also, parents lack the basic understanding that a child’s online life is simply an extension of their offline life. O’Keefe’s point in all this is that the end result often leads to a knowledge and technical skill gap between the parents and youth, which creates a disconnection on how the parent and child participate in the online world together (O'Keeffe et al. 2011).

Parents simply do not have a choice anymore. Social media is not fad like those skinny jeans you despise your child wearing, it’s a part of their daily lives and culture that is here it stay.

In fact the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has gone on record to acknowledge that there is a role for the Internet and social media in the lives of teens.  They say that Websites like Facebook allow them to share common interests, participate in fundraising efforts, expand their artistic or musical creativity, and foster their own identity (Sloviter 2011).

One would think that these are things a parent would want their child to engage in, but there is still the unknown that a parents mind goes to when they think of their child engaging with others on the internet.

Most experts seem to agree that there is no way to tell what kind of impact routine use of social media will have on children as they become adults. In fact in a recent interview Dr. Donald Shifrin, a Washington based pediatrician goes to the extent of saying that social media is “a great uncontrolled experiment on our children” (Brunk 2011).

This is can be an uneasy feeling for parents to accept. Your children are basically lab rats in the digital revolution that continues to change daily.

If that doesn’t scare parents enough to get involved and open up to their children about social media then what else is there and how much blame are you willing to accept when things go wrong?

O’Keeffe describes Facebook as “neighborhood hangout,” which can be ok if they get online in an age-appropriate way, but also notes that you don’t want your 10 year-old hanging out there because they don’t have the social skills to do any good. However, as a parent she believes that by helping them get online in an age-appropriate way, they can learn how to interact better online than some adults and be a powerful learning tool. “I have a theory that cyberbullying and sexting is partly our fault as adults because we’re still catching up to the digital world, and we’ve never really taught kids how to us it well. It’s kind of like putting them in a car without teaching them to drive. So it’s no wonder mistakes have happened,” O’Keeffe said (Brunk 2011).

I don’t believe there has ever been an easy time to be a parent, but today the challenge has been heightened to an all new level. The unknown is frightening to a parent, especially when they feel they have no control over the situation. It’s tough to say what cognitive skills our children will lack to develop from this new way of life, but maybe they will gain new ones that lead to world changing events. A bit optimistic yes, but again we just don’t know.

For now all we can do as parents and role models is to take the make a conscience effort to educate ourselves first, and then our children about social media. There are amazing benefits to having an open and honest relationship with your child both online and face to face.

If you are one of those parents that knows absolutely nothing about social media its ok, don’t be intimidated by the fact that your child might actually be smarter than you at something. Instead, embrace the opportunity to sit and learn something from your child. Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions from them about the ins and outs of social media. If you don’t have one already, have your child walk you through setting up your own Facebook account. Then be sure to friend each other so that the two of you can stay up on each other’s online life.

This is also a good opportunity to educate your child on moral values and the risks involved with putting it all out there. There is no such thing as privacy once you join the social media revolution and your child needs to understand the full ramifications of this. You should have an understanding with your child that it’s ok to monitor their site from time to time. You don’t want to be one of those parents who finds out your child is emotionally distressed, or going through rough times through a friend who saw it on their Facebook page. Be informed!

Parents must come to the realization that life is no longer a private affair. Everyone has a story and is willing to share it with their social network. This can be a beautiful thing if the stories and lessons passed are made useful when shared to the world.

Reference List

O'Keeffe , Gwenn, and Kathleen Clarke-Pearson. "The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families." American Academy of Pediatrics. 127. no. 4 (2011): 800-804. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800.full (accessed November 7, 2012).

Sloviter, Vikki. 2011. “Diagnosis: Social Media Syndrome.” Pediatrics For Parents 27, no. 5/6: 30. MasterFile Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed November 7, 2012)

Brunk, Doug. "Social media confuses, concerns parents."Pediatric News. 45. no. 2 (2011): 1. http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.proxy.library.oregonstate.edu/ps/i.do?action=interpret&id=GALE|A251192009&v=2.1&u=s8405248&it=r&p=HRCA&sw=w&authCount=1 (accessed November 7, 2012).

Job Search After College Can Be RIsky Business

Being a student in college can sometimes seem like a long dark tunnel without hope at the end. We are all here with a goal to better ourselves, with the hope of starting an illustrious career and a future we can count on.

Sounds great in theory, but the facts are the job market is scarce. The reality of graduating with a degree and walking into a career is not as easy.

Lauren Rabaino

When it comes to students finding jobs after college, the  Associated Collegiate Press Convention in Seattle March 1-4, featured several sessions that tackled this reality head on.

One session in particular by Lauren Rabaino, an associate producer at The Seattle Times, focused on the risks that college students should be taking while they're in school to help themselves once they enter the job market.

Rabaino knows first-hand the grueling task of graduating and finding a career. She graduated in 2009 from California Polytechnic State University in San Louis Obispo, Calif., at a time when getting a job in journalism was close to impossible.

Her theme was simple “take risks.”

Not only to take the risks in college, but to learn and recover from your risks to make you stronger. She firmly believes in the notion to challenge the traditional way of doing something and do this every day of your life.

Granted most of what Rabaino was referring to was the proper risks to take to enter the journalism field, but when you broaden her thought process it can resonate with almost all college students.

For instance, she focused on getting involved with start-ups and believes everyone should get involved with at least one start-up in their life. Getting involved in a start-up she believes, can teach you to contribute to your field in a non-conventional way. Learn to wear many hats that you didn’t expect to wear, learn to be nimble, and most of all teach yourself to fail gracefully.

A major theme throughout the conference was educating students on the importance of creating your personal brand.

Rabaino also touched on this by adding that students need to build their own identity and voice that connects them to others that are similar to them and not just on Facebook.

Social Networking sites are popping up every minute, but Rabaino raved at the contacts and networking capabilities of Twitter. She claims most of her business contacts and opportunities that she has had can be linked right back to Twitter. Like other panelists who spoke, she made it a point for students to search out who they want to mimic and follow them. Not only follow them, but study them and engage with them via Twitter.

The job market might be tough right now, but as Rabaino noted it’s still out there for the taking. It is slowly getting better, but times are changing and unless students are willing to adapt to the new job market, they could very well be left with just a fancy piece of paper at the end of their college days.

At a glance:

Follow Rabaino on Twitter @laurenrabaino

Rabaino is also a contributor to the blog 10,000 words

Click to view Rabaino's complete profile

Pick a Side: Team Loyalty Still Matters

“Of course I’m going to route for Oregon in the Rose Bowl. They're an Oregon team and I got to represent,” says Don Paterson, as he sips from his Oregon State beer mug.

Really?

What has our green loving, Prius driving, love everyone culture done to our 21st Century sports fan in the Northwest?

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for saving for the environment, and believe me, my daily commute would warrant a Prius in the driveway, but what has happened to this 115 year rivalry that would allow one fan base to so nonchalantly route for their bitter rival.

Sports rivals have been imbedded into our modern society since there was a second team- no matter the sport. They shape our boundaries and give the average Joe a since of passion that is unmatched by anything else.  

Take Harvey Updyke Jr. for example, he is an Alabama fan (and ex-police officer) indicted for poisoning Auburn’s famous oak trees on Toomer’s Corner after Auburn won the National Championship in 2011. The Auburn-Alabama rivalry dates back to 1893 and their fans don’t seem to fall under this notion that they have to “represent” anything unless it involves their team winning and the other losing.

This is an extreme case. After all how many people name their children Bear and Crimson Tide like Updyke has (although "Time for dinner Beaver" does have an interesting ring to it), but it’s not out of the ordinary for fans to hate their rival and go to extremes to do so.

The Red Sox-Yankees, Lakers-Celtics, Michigan-Ohio State, North Carolina-Duke are just a few examples of downright hate full rivalries that sports fans live for. These fan bases don’t believe in “representing,” they believe in total humiliation and destruction of the other team.

The fan bases included in these rivalries have no fence to sit on and if they see someone on it, more than likely they will be shoved off.

These are obvious generalizations and some will disagree. However, for every one that doesn’t, there are five Updyke’s waiting around the corner.

These games are what the sports fans live for no matter what their team’s record or roster looks like these games make or break a team’s season.

Since 2000, OSU or UO have come into their Civil War battle with a chance to go to the Rose Bowl or BCS bowl five times. Take out 2009, which was the first “Battle of the Roses,” which the winner went no matter what, the other team has had nothing to lose other than ruin their opponents season. Two of the five the team with nothing to lose, won the game.

So where does this “represent” mentality come from?

Are we not allowed to hate our rival? Do we feel like it’s us against them, stuck up here in the lonely Northwest?

These are valid questions, but none help me understand how you can have two universities so close in proximity and long outstanding rivalry can have any love for each other.

There has been some Updyke moments in the rivalry, take the 1910 riots that suspended the series for a year, then moving it to a neutral site in Albany of all places in 1912. Or the Duck fan that lights the t-shirt on fire in the middle of the field that read, “I hate those Ducks” after the 2010 game.

To those that don’t understand, please don’t try. You will never get it or if you do, you will think we are all crazy, but for those that do pick your side and stay there.

At a glance:
Top 20 American Sports Rivalries according to bleacherreport.com
20 Giants vs Dodgers
19 Bruins vs Canadians
18 Colts vs Patiriots
17 Oregon State vs Oregon
16 Texas vs Oklahoma
15 Bulls vs Pistons
14 Cubs vs Cardinals
13 Florida vs Georgia
12 Alabama vs Auburn
11 Lafayette vs Lehigh
10 USC vs Notre Dame
9 Syracuse vs Georgetown
8 Notre Dame vs Michigan
7 Army vs Navy
6 Cowboys vs Redskins
5 Harvard vs Yale
4 Michigan vs Ohio State
3 Celtics vs Lakers
2 Yankees vs Red Sox
1 North Carolina vs Duke

Heidi Halemeier's Balancing Act

The Linn-Benton women’s basketball team has had an up and down season to say the least, injuries and lack of consistency have been plagued the team all year.

Halemeier lines up her shot. Photo by Marcea Palmer

One solid and consistent player however, has been sophomore Heidi Halemeier. Halemeier has been the rock in the middle for the team averaging 10.1 rebounds a game, which is good for fourth in the entire NWAACC conference.

Her story doesn’t just involve pulling down rebounds and taking on the biggest player her team faces each game though.

If you have ever been to a woman’s basketball game or practice for that matter here on campus you probably have noticed a not so shy and very cute little boy romping around cheering on the Lady Roadrunners. His name is Carter and besides being the biggest cheerleader the team has, he also has one of the hardest working moms on campus in Halemeier.

Halemeier was a star athlete at Santiam High School, where she won state titles and received over 50 scholarship offers to play basketball and continue her career. Her life however, changed in a different direction when she realized she was pregnant with her soon to be son.

After taking a year off and reflecting Halemeier was determined to get back to school and back on the court. She reached out and was able to land a scholarship here at LB and has not looked back since.

“Bringing her in was a huge recruit for LB, she’s one of our best players,” head coach Teresa Guerra said of her star recruit.

Heidi looks for an open teamate.
Photo by Marcea Palmer

Being the only true post player the team has put a lot of pressure on Halemeier’s shoulders, especially with some unfortunate injuries to her teammates, but dealing with adversity and pressure seems to come easy to Halemeier.

“She has a lot of pressure on her, but she steps up to the challenge. Her work ethic is amazing, balancing school, the team, and her son. You can see in her eyes how happy he makes her though,” said Alicia Love, friend and teammate of Halemeier.

Stepping up to a challenge doesn’t seem to slow Halemeier down, if anything it seems to motivate her as a student athlete.

“Having a child was an eye opening experience for me, I matured and realized the importance of life while understanding every day is going to be a challenge,” Halemeier said.

When she’s not trying to balance her homework, or practice, her son, or work at Allann Bros. most likely you will see Halemeier on the couch watching "Cake Boss" or in the kitchen making something she just saw on "Cake Boss."

“I am a cook fanatic!” she said

Her dream is to someday open a coffee/desert shop where she can show off all her baking inspirations. Her son’s birthday is weeks away and she already has the Ninja Turtle themed desert planned out.

Halemeier is an inspiration to a lot of students with children, who sometimes find the balancing act a struggle to deal with. Her positive attitude both on and off the court are remarkable and have helped the team stay positive.

“She faces more adversity being a mom and an athlete, but she is doing a great job and has a great outlook on life that is great to have in our program,” Coach Guerra said.

At a glance:
Grew up in Mill City Ore
Graduatued from Santiam High School
Has signed a Letter of intent to Oregon Institute of Technology to continue playing basketball
Major-Adult and family studies

Neeson Shines in "The Grey"

Liam Neeson is back in “The Grey,” and this time leading a group of down-and-out oil workers through the depths of hell, as they try and survive a plane crash in the middle of Alaska.

Neeson is in the midst of a three-year run of lead roles, portraying him as a bad ass, take-no-prisoner character that would make Chuck Norris weep. Most will remember his role in “Taken,” a film that no doubt ruined most teenage girls' chances of ever going to Europe alone.

“The Grey” was directed by Joe Carnahan, who first teamed up with Neeson when he directed “The A-Team,” where Neeson played “Hannibal.”

In the film Neeson plays a professional hunter paid by the oil companies to shoot off the computer-enhanced wolves that make the “Twilight” wolves look like cartoon character from "Adult Swim." Neeson is sent out with a team on a small plane, which is no match for the Alaskan weather and crashes in the middle of nowhere.

The grungy survivors are left for dead, except for having Neeson to lead in a jouney for survival. The weather and wolves provide all the suspense you need, as the men are ultimately pitted into an all-out predator vs. man adventure.

“I was scared and on the edge of my seat the whole time, hoping they would make it out alive. I don’t want to see another wolf again,” said audience member Kandis Snyder after seeing “The Grey.”

The film is intense, even with the simple plot that we’ve all seen before. Neeson’s character gives the film an emotional and tough guy appeal.

Rotten Tomatoes, a popular film review website said this about the film: “The Grey' is an exciting tale of survival, populated with fleshed-out characters and a surprising philosophical agenda.”

As with any film that portrays dead animal carcasses and man vs. beast battles, this one also comes with a bit of controversy. On Jan. 19, The Province featured an article about the movie buying four wolf carcasses from a local trapper, two for props and two for the cast to eat. It didn’t take long for groups such as PETA and WildEarth Guardians to start drives to boycott the film.

 Open Road ( the film’s production company) responded by placing a fact sheet about the gray wolf on the film’s official website. Carnahan has responded by downplaying the significance of the violent wolves portrayed in the film, instead highlighting the significance of man’s interior struggle for survival.

Amazingly, the film took just 40 days to film and is based on the short story “Ghost  Walker” by Ian Mackenzie Jeffers.

The film is worth the watch, especially on the big screen on a dark wintery night. There are plenty of twists and even a little religious controversy throughout the film. Each character brings a special piece to the film that brings the audience into the film on a personal level.

As far as an R rated film goes, “The Grey” lives up to the rating. There’s plenty of gore and language to earn its rate.

With the Oscars around the corner, there will be plenty of buzz on other films, but this one is worth getting out seeing while it’s still on the big screen.

At a glance:
Rated-R
Runtime-1hr. 57 min.
Drama, Action & Adventure
Directed and Written by Joe Carnahan
Starring-Liam Neeson
Open Road Films
Opened number one for the weekend at an estimated $20 million.

Roadrunners Say Goodbye to Blake Paltz

Student killed in head-on collision.

For the many who knew Blake Paltz, their hearts are filled with memories of a kind, open-hearted young man who was full of life and inspiration.

LBCC student and soccer player Blake Paltz. Photo by Art Motta

His friends and family had an emotional start to the New Year as Paltz was involved in a head-on traffic collision just south of Junction City on Monday, Jan. 2. 

Paltz was alone in his SUV when it collided with 56-year-old Danielle Ball's Honda Accord. Ball was also traveling alone and was pronounced dead at the scene. Paltz would later be pronounced dead while recieving treatment in the hospital according to a report in the Eugene Register Guard.

Blake graduated from Junction City High School in 2010 and had been a student of Linn Benton for the past two years. He alos played for the men’s soccer team this season, helping them to their best record in school history.

After his death his parents received a knock on the door from a stranger who told them a story that no one had heard before.

A few months back Paltz was driving along a quiet highway when he spotted a stranger on top of a bridge looking suspicious. Paltz stopped to see what the man was up to.

The man was getting ready to take his life by jumping of the bridge. Using his own charm and aspiration for life, Paltz was able to talk the man out of committing suicide. This man felt his story needed to be told and reached out to Paltz parents after his death.

This story was told again at Paltz’s memorial service by the pastor to his friends and family. To which had not heard this story before. As some might gloat and tell of their accomplishment, Paltz kept his noble feat to his self.

Rocco Lizzi graduated with Paltz from high school and has spent countless moments with the person he called a “brother” to him.

“He could never let us be angry with each other, he would always find a way to make up. We were complete opposites, but complemented each other perfectly” Lizzi said.

Paltz loved soccer. He was the starting left back for the LB team this season.

“He was the court jester, always making everyone laugh with his great sense of humor. His teammates loved him and he loved them back,” LB coach Art Mota said.

Paltz was always full of energy and life, always trying to make an influence in people’s life. He would always make sure to say hi to everyone as they arrived to practice and try to spread his good vibes into the team chemistry.

Max Sampson had this to say about his former teammate: “Blake had a powerful personality, he was always a loyal friend. I would never be surprised by what Blake would do because he was very spontaneous and energetic. It is very hard to accept that I won’t get to kick the ball around with him anymore.”

Paltz had a level of commitment and love for life that was unlike anything most people ever get a chance to embrace. His sense of humor was enlightening, even if the joke was on him.

He even scored a goal this year from his defensive back position against Mt. Angel, which if you know soccer, is an amazing and rare feat.

His life will not be forgotten. His teammates are planning on retiring his jersey (definitely not his practice one since he never wore a shirt at practice regardless of the weather) and possibly name their indoor team in memory of their lost friend.

At a glance:

To help Blakes family with funeral expenses and medical costs please go to any US Bank and donate to the Blake Paltz Memorial Fund. You can also follow a Facebook page dedicated in Blake's honor as well as keep up on upcoming fundraisers. 

Paltz death was the fifth over this year’s New Yeas weekend on Oregon roads compared to just one last year and zero the year before according to Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon State Police. Paltz was alone in his SUV at the time of the accident.

 

Counseling Center eyes new focus

Amongst cut backs and increased enrollment the center aims to reach new goals and more students.

Ultimately, a community college is designed to enhance and better a community through education and career training.  The LB counseling center is out to make this college a better atmosphere to do just that. Although cuts are being felt in the center the “retuned and re-focused” Counseling Center believes that by advancing relationships with students across campus we will be adding more value than what were are losing to budget cuts.

Mark Weiss is finishing up his 22^nd year as a counselor here at LB and has been the front man in the “re-creation” of the counseling office. He believes we need we need to be “pro-active in campus community building. “ 

Weiss stated that “the sooner a student knows someone cares about them and that someone is here to help them the better odds that student is going to stay and stay longer.”

Research as in fact pointed out that students that have positive relationships with faculty and staff, tend to be more successful in class, stay in school longer and in the end graduate.

Like any college many of LB students are faced with difficult decisions and challenges that can affect their academic success. For many reasons students feel they have no one to reach out to.  Weiss feels “we need to be making sure all students have someone to turn to.”

Bruce Clemetsen our Vice President of student services has been working hand in hand with Weiss to reach these new goals. He believes this new focus will help students get the whole experience of college and increase our graduation numbers.

One of Clemetsen’s goals is to focus in on the undecided students that can benefit the most from counseling.

“By designing our facilities to help these students get through the undecided process and help them create a path for themselves will keep these students motivated, ease their financial aid stress, and decrease our drop- out rate here”  Clemetsen added.

Currently LB has more clubs on campus than they have ever had and Weiss also hopes this can be a way for students to get to involved and bring students together.  This ties into one of the Counseling Center’s goals by working directly with these clubs and Student Life the center can reach student’s that they normally would not have a chance to reach.

“Clubs and Student Life are a way to find students and staff with the positive energy needed to bring students together” Weiss says.

For instance, Weiss noted a group at OSU that is focused on happiness and solutions rather than problems.

Neil Simms a student at LB for the past year is up for the change and believes in the idea of community building here on campus. “It’s a wonderful idea, we all need to come together and help each other to better our abilities as students and citizens of the community.”

Community Colleges directly affect our economic development, jobs, and average income rates in our community. There is a significant economic value in by having more students receive degrees and certificates from LB.

Weiss says “time is now to answer call of the community and we are going to be a better resource to our community and our students.”

At a Glance:

OSU has already made some significant changes to their Counseling department and Weiss plans on meeting with their director June 1st to collaborate on ideas on how to better our campus.