By Louise M Evans

Our Kids safety is a parents highest priority.

Parents are learning about cyber bullying and the difficulty of finding a safe place on the web for kids.

Is your Kid safe?

Gone are the days the victims of bullying can run home, away from the bullies in school.

'Kids and Internet' seems to be a lethal combination these days especially now with the statistics that at least one in 10 students are the victims of bullying.

A Cyber-bullying recent research suggests that 1 in 10 kids have been cyber-bullied. (Dr Noble, a member of the National Centre Against Bullying).

"A Child Bullied is a child that is three times more likely to show depressive symptoms". (Centre for Adolescent Health.)

It leaves us parents with the question; is the internet safe for children?

Deterring kids to use the internet is certainly not an option. Arming kids with the tools to prevent and stop a cyber bully is the answer.

Child prevention programs are also a great way to stop cyber bullying and school bullying in children.

We must remember that Kids that bully are often bullied kids themselves. Either from home or from some other environmental source.

Here are some useful tips to help you teach your child a plan in dealing with a cyber bully.

Don't respond. If you are being bullied, the one thing the bully wants from you is a reaction. It is like fuel to them and giving them a chance to retaliate is exactly what they are looking for. Do you really want to empower a bully?

Don't retaliate. If you retaliate this tells the bully that they are getting to you and will only further encourage them. Also, we don't want to sink to the bullies level.

Save the evidence. As cyber bullying is online, digital and recordable you can keep the harassing messages. Even if you think the bullying isn't that bad just yet. Keep it anyway because if the bullying escalates the more proof you have the better!

Talk to a trusted adult. Ask your child to determine 5 people that they can tell anything to. Let those people know that they are a selected trusted person for future reference.

Block the bully. Most social media has the ability to block users.. Block anyone immediately and talk to a trusted adult about it. If the bullying is happening in a chat room.. leave the chat room.. It is ok to block and delete.

The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open with your child about this issue. It may be hard to hear but going through it is much worse.

http://www.selfesteemcentre.com.au

By Kelcie E Beausir

The Pistol Star

"He's gone", these words can mean all kinds of things to billions of different people, but when spoken to me on the night of December 7th, 2005, they only had one meaning, one meaning to one simple phrase that consists of two simple words that completely, single-handedly destroyed my picture-perfect life. The power of these two words were unbelievable, they crushed my heart, destroyed my faith, and broke any hope for love in my life. I could never trust anyone for as long as I live on this planet. Two simple words: "he's gone", Spoken to me with such ease they cut me like strong, powerful sharp blades and ripped my soul 'til it bled and died. "He's gone" took every tear in my little ten-year old body and poured them into an endless stream of impeccable pain and loss. "He's gone" continues to replay over and over in my head as I search for an answer in this terrible never ending nightmare of a life. "He's gone" happened on an ordinary yet unforgettable December day, like any other, but it tore and twisted my life 'til there was nothing left but an empty hole in a little girl's heart that could never be filled. He's gone?

The powerful stench of the Richmond Mental Hospital was not like any regular hospital, it was much worse than that. It didn't look like a hospital, it smelled like one and without a doubt, people were sick. It wasn't the same kind of sick that I was familiar with. These patients weren't cut, bleeding, injured, or broken... where I could see. Two weeks had passed without seeing my dad, ever since that horrific night, on October 21st, 2005. I had so many questions but my mom said to act normal, so we wouldn't upset my dad. We traveled through the hospital's empty rooms until my dad's face awoke out of the dark, to greet the life he'd left behind. His face appeared before me, it was exactly how I remembered only... this wasn't my dad, not at all. No, my dad was always smiling, joyful, funny, and kind. He was the perfect dad that every little girl dreamed of having. The man that sat before me was dead. He was lost, without hope, very much alive and breathing, but he was dead. It was as if his soul had been taken from him and now he was left with a lifeless corpse. The doctors all explained as clearly as they possibly could that my dad was sick, only it was a kind of sick that you couldn't see with your eyes and a sick that couldn't be cured with a band-aid or some loving care from your mom. He was diagnosed with clinical depression, these words meant nothing to a ten-year old who's only worries in life were making her father proud or finishing homework on time, it was never 'if I'd even have a dad to make proud?'.The more the doctor explained, the more he began to make sense. He also explained what happened before dad left, the night he was "taken" by his depression.

Dad was gone all day. We didn't know where he went and this wasn't like him at all. In fact, it was so unlike him that it terrified us to think about what could be happening. My mom had a few ideas. She checked his credit card for some trace on my dad's whereabouts. We came to find out that on, October 21st, dad drove to South Carolina (approximately two hours from our Georgia home) and purchased a pistol. I could tell from the overwhelming fear in my mom's eyes as she stormed out of the office that it wasn't good. We'd never needed a reason to call the police before that night.

In a matter of minutes, my mom had the police in South Carolina looking for my dad; they located him in a hotel room near Calhoun Falls, a quiet town where he must've strategically decided to escape to. I curled up into my parents' bed with my sister and brother as the emergency babysitter waited downstairs for my mom and dad to return. I fell asleep and dreamt of the days that my dad and I would practice basketball together. We spent hours and hours shooting hoops, working on dribbling, passing, and defense. As the coach of every basketball, soccer, and softball team I was involved with throughout my childhood, my dad absolutely loved playing sports. For every single point I scored, I could count on him being on the sidelines cheering me on. After a successful win, my dad and I would drive to the diner and enjoy a victory chocolate shake. He would look at me and say "throw me the ball and watch what I do with it!" with a huge grin on his face. I dreamt that those days would never end, that he'd be here again and by my side forever. I dreamt of running to a place where there was no pain, no loss, no terrifying thoughts that he wouldn't return, no fear, and definitely no crying. In a place like this, I'd never have to worry about my life breaking apart and my ground being pulled out from beneath my stable, trusting feet. I dreamt of looking into his eyes again, knowing he'd be okay. I dreamt of a world where there was no sickness, or a kind of "sick" that you couldn't see, no depression, and no hurt. I dreamt of sitting on the wide open countryside, looking into the dark, sad, starry night.

I dreamt of the night that my dad and I drove everywhere and anywhere until we ended up in a place in the middle of nowhere. We looked up into the sky and I glanced up at him, he was deep in thought about something and strangely enough, I knew exactly what he was thinking. Looking up at the stars, I thought about where they came from, where we came from, and where we all went when we left. "What do you think happens... when you die?" I said.

"What do you mean?" he replied.

"Well I like to think we become the stars" I said as we both starred aimlessly into the night sky, "As soon as we die we go up into the sky for all the people who ever loved us to look up at and think about and remember".

"When I'm gone, you just look up at the sky and I promise I will be there, looking down at you smiling. I'll be there shining brighter than any star in the sky, just for you"... He said smiling.

I woke up in my dad's arms as he gently placed me onto my bed and without a single word, he walked out of my room and shut the door, shutting me out of his life in a moment where I wanted nothing more than to be in it. When I wanted nothing but answers, he couldn't even hear my angry cries for help and to hear him say, "I'll be here forever and always baby girl", like he always told me. That night died along with all hope that my dad was fine when the next day came along and he was checked into the hospital. I didn't know what made him run away, what made him buy that gun, or why he was sick but I hoped and prayed for him to get better soon so I could have my dad back. At this time in my life, I wanted nothing more than to have him with me forever and always, just like he promised.

Two months without having my dad around tore me apart. It made me realize how much he truly meant to me and how much I depend on him. Life without him here is like walking into a dark room not knowing where to go, what to think, or how I got there. You don't know where to turn or what to do. Life without my dad is like waking up from a nightmare and realizing that everything you just dreamt up in your mind was real. Without him here, I had no hope, no dreams, no happiness or joy, no laughter or smiling; it was living without the life. After two months that felt like a dark twisted trick God was playing, my dad returned.

The return of my dad wasn't a return at all. He came back but he wasn't the same. He wasn't getting any better in fact... in the hospital, he got much worse. Depression had taken him completely and killed the man we all loved and missed; it forced him to live in the pain of dying over and over again. This dark disease that I didn't know anything about was killing my dad. He was a good person, he didn't deserve to die. I'd never known anyone to die. I never saw anyone's life end but sometimes I thought about what it would be like to lose someone. The only thing I could think of was having an arm taken off your body, you'd always feel like it was still there but when you really needed it most, it wouldn't be there at all and would never come back. When I really needed my dad he was always there, no matter what it was, I could always just look up at him and see the love behind his eyes. Now that he was sick, when I looked up into his eyes all I saw was death. I saw the death of every day we ever spent together, every time he promised he'd be here forever, every warm embrace of his never ending hugs, the comfort of knowing I'd always have someone to love me unconditionally, and the death of my father.

Wednesday December 7th, 2005 5:45 pm, police house resident reports 3 gun shots and strange screams coming from 244 west lane, Alpharetta Georgia. Inside an abandoned house, investigators discover a 47-year old man positioned in the living room of the cold hearted abandoned home, drenched completely in blood and holding a pistol. Deceased. At 5:41 pm the man shot at a target he'd drawn on the wall. 5:43, another shot goes off and hits the target perfectly in the center. 5:45, the man shot himself in the chest and fell to the ground to later be discovered at 6:08 pm on Wednesday December 7th, 2005.

Mark Joseph Beausir was a man that proved to be an amazingly successful father of three children. He was a good man and a caring, faithful husband to Amy Beausir. He was CEO of a successful software company in Alpharetta, Georgia. Six feet Six inches, he stood high and close to God. He was a big guy with a heart that could only be compared to the size of his smile. Mark provided well for his family and was always involved in his church and kids' lives. He attended church every Sunday and was the coach for every team his three children were involved with. Every chance he got, he would show love to the people that mattered the most and even more love to the people that didn't matter at all. Mark had an enormous family with so much love and even more heart. He was a beautiful person and lived a magnificent, unbelievable life.

Born on August 14th, 1958, died 47 years later on December 7th, 2005, Mark only lived a short time. Forty seven years of pure love, laughs, and time, 24719556 minutes, 1779848640 heart beats, 296438400 breaths, 121 liters of tears, 38352 hours spent on the computer, 46318400 steps walked, 20160 minutes spent kissing, 10000 chocolate bars, 150 pounds of sugar eaten, and... for this particular person, 4 broken hearts plus one broken promise. When we looked back on my dad's life, he wouldn't be remembered by any of this. We'd think of him and think of all the love he gave us and how much he touched our lives. The average human is expected to live to be 72 years old. For this human, he missed 25 Christmases, 25 valentines days, 3 sweet-sixteen parties, 2 weddings of girls walking themselves down the aisle, 1 boy growing into a man, the graduation of three very successful college students he helped raise, the winning point scored, the school record being broken for girls' high jump, 7 stitches and 3 twisted ankles, he missed mending the broken hearts of a sad teenage girl and breaking the face of one disappointing teenage boy, he missed teaching his kids how to drive for the first time, meeting new boyfriends and girlfriends, hating old boyfriends and girlfriends, he missed seeing the first steps of his grandkids and spoiling them rotten, he missed new inside jokes and reflecting back on old ones, he missed seeing his kids grow up and most of all, we missed him.

The average human spends 63 hours a year laughing, Mark was an extraordinary person but he still had 99225 hours left of endless laughs. Mark still had 788923150 seconds of life to live but his life was taken from him by this heart wrenching darkness we called an illness. He left me behind but I know deep in my heart, he is always going to be by my side. I hope that one day I'll see him again and I like to think he is still watching over me like he said he would.

There are over 100 billion stars in our universe. On December 7th, 2005 a new class of Supergiant Binary stars was discovered. Among these stars, there was one special one. It was the most gigantic, brightest binary star ever to be discovered. Scientists were amazed at this discovery and named it "The Pistol Star". It had a solar mass of 80-150 and shined brighter than any other star in the sky, a true miracle.

Tuesday December 7th, 2010, it has been five years since my dad died and it still feels like the same wound opening up every day, it feels like only yesterday my dad was taken from me. I lie down in my bed and I dream. I dream about you, the wonderful father that I lost and will forever miss. I dream of a never ending life absent of fear and pain. I dream of days where the sun never stops shining and you'll be by my side. I dream of the day you and I drove everywhere and anywhere till we ended up in a place called nowhere. Where I looked up into the sky at the shining stars and wished that you'd be here forever. I looked at you and asked what happened when we died. You looked me straight in the eye and said, "When I'm gone, you just look up at the sky and I promise I will be there, looking down at you smiling. I'll be there shining brighter than any star in the sky, just for you". The bright and glorious 'Pistol Star' still shines to this day, brighter than any other star in our galaxy. It was born on December 7th, 2005... The day you died.

By Rosalinda Flores-Martinez

Many stories tell about kindness, love for work, and the perils of being lazy.

In different parts of the world, children grow up learning these stories from grandparents, relatives, helpers, and of course, the school and church.

Children get very excited every time they hear these stories. From these stories, they extract life's lessons quite easily.

Good manners and right conduct are the writer's evident highlights in literature, especially those that children read. Stories must be positively interpreted.

Ponder upon these Proverbs and take a folktale, fable or parable as examples.

Chapter 6.10-11

Let me sleep a little longer!
Sure, just a little more!
And as you sleep, poverty creeps upon you like a robber and destroys you; want attacks you in full armor.

Folktale: The Lazy Boy Juan

Once, Juan was asked by his mother to buy some crabs. Because he was so lazy and stupid, he told the crabs "I feel so sleepy. I'd rather sleep here under the tree. All of you crabs just walk home to mother."

What can you say?

Chapter 6.12-15

Let me describe for you a worthless and a wicked man; first, he is a constant liar; he signals his true intentions to his friends with eyes and feet and fingers. Next, his heart is full of rebellion. And he spends his time thinking of all the evil he can do, and stirring up discontent. But he will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond hope of healing.

Parable: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Once, a boy spent his time thinking and stirring up discontent in his work. He thought of alarming his neighbors and playing up on them. Several times, he deceived his neighbors and shouted for help. So the neighbors tried to help him, but the boy only screamed a lie. In the end, no one came to help him when the wolf really attacked.

Chapter 6.16-19

For there are six things the lord hates - no, seven:

Haughtiness
Lying
Murdering
Plotting evil
Eagerness to do wrong
A false witness
Sowing discord among brothers

Parable: The Bundle of Sticks

Thought: Showing kindness, not discord brings true happiness and freedom to everyone.

Tips: How To Summarize Stories

1. Read the story again and again, until you can remember what happens.

Example: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

2. Know the setting, the characters, the plot (beginning, conflict, climax, resolution), the theme and the ideas or lessons, the story presents, among others.

The setting is in the farm.

The characters are the lion and the mouse. You can include the hunters, if you will portray the action in the story and write snippets of dialogue.

The climax in the plot is the time when the boy cried for help, and no one came. A real wolf attacked his flock of sheep (after his series of lying), and his neighbors didn't believe him anymore.

3. Set a limit to your number of words (500, 250, 100). Use your own words and not those of the original author.

Be creative in your summary or re-telling of the story.

4. Retain the structure of the story. Retain the point of view of the original.

Don't distort the theme of the story. Never mess with the truth and ideas the story tells.

5. There are many ways to be creative, but be careful with the story elements.

Make a research. Know the story by heart. Relate to your point in time and to your audience.

By Sabih Javed

The Barbie doll is a favorite among girls of all ages and you will be hard-pressed to find a young girl who doesn't have a Barbie doll or a Barbie toy. There are many Barbie games available readily on the market including cooking games, dress up games, makeover games and many more.

The History of Barbie

The Barbie doll was created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and launched by Mattel, Inc, one of the leading toy companies in the US. The very first Barbie doll was launched in 1959 and since then it has been one of the most popular toys for girls. In 2009, Barbie's 50th birthday was celebrated in New York with extreme zeal and zest.

Barbie has gone through a lot during her life; there had been times when she's had to face lots of criticism both at national and international level, as well as being copied by other manufacturers. But throughout her life, the Barbie doll has never lost her glory and fame.

Barbie in today's world

Today, Barbie is as famous as she was in the past; she is now a worldwide famous doll; and perhaps one of the most-loved dolls ever to exist. There are many games, movies, cartoons, toys and stories related to Barbie and girls simply love her. The Barbie doll is more than just a usual doll, she's a complete entertainment package and there are hundreds of online gaming websites where girls can play many Barbie games.

Barbie games

There are lots of different Barbie games, some of them are mentioned below:

Cooking games

Barbie cooking games are not one of the most popular games as yet, but they are starting to become a lot more popular. Website owners and game producers are focusing on Barbie cooking games significantly because they are running out of new ideas simply because almost every idea has already been thought of either directly or indirectly.

Dress up games

These are the simplest and most popular Barbie games, and it's not hard for your daughter to find a free Barbie dress up game online. Since it's a very popular game category and a highly competitive market, it's easy to find lots of free offers, promotions, gifts and freebies while playing dress up games.

Besides virtual Barbie dress up games, original Barbie dress up games are equally well-received and you can easily buy a lot of clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeover items and the like with the original Barbie box.

Makeover games

The Makeover games are virtual games that are very easy to find online. Girls love to play with makeover products from a very early age and because of this the manufacturers of the Barbie doll have used this fondness for makeovers and dressing up as a way to increase their sales and maintain popularity.

No one knows what the future the Barbie doll will bring, but one thing is for sure, young girls are simply in love with this great doll and there's no doubt about it that she will celebrate her 100th and even her 200th birthday with as much style and glamor as ever.

By Heike Jung

Let's talk a little bit about achieving success. You already know that you must have a dream, a destination, realistic deadlines, a support team, determination and organization to become successful. Let's add one more detail. Let's focus on the detail.

Have you heard the saying: "It's all in the details." Well, it is. Details underscore who you are, what you believe in and how you want others to perceive you. Details require discipline. They are little things that bring huge value. Details are the seeds to your success.

Details start in the morning and follow you throughout the day. When you wake up in the morning with a smile on your face (first detail) you are much more likely to have a great rest of the day. When you put a little more effort into getting ready for school (second detail), be it wearing jeans without holes, a shirt without wrinkles or wearing your hair fashionable, toning down the make up or even just polishing your shoes, it makes a difference in how people perceive you and consequently how they act towards you. Try it!

As you go through the day, pay attention to more details. Smile just a little smile when someone speaks to you. Pick up a piece of trash that fell next to the trash can. Tie your shoelaces when you first notice them coming undone. Help someone put on their jacket. When you head to the restroom, spend a few minutes in front of the mirror and tidy up. At the end of the class, sit a little longer and put your books away neatly. Pay attention to the details.

On your way home, give someone you don't usually hang out with a ride home. You might find out a little detail about them that you did not know. It may change the way you think about them. If nothing else, it will make you feel better because you generously gave of your time (another detail often overlooked).

Once you get home, pay attention to how you enter the house, what you do with your books, how you greet your family, what you say, how you say it, etc. Feel the details: smile (did anyone notice?), walk differently (did they notice?), change your routine (did she notice?). See how little you can change about yourself and have it be noticed by your family. You may need to do this for a few days in a row. If they notice, let me know! I'm taking a survey on this.

When you put effort into the details, you will find that other people notice. At first it might only be an inconspicuous double take in your direction, but soon people will look at you with a new interest. They will be more likely to ask YOU for advice instead of telling you what to do. Your circle of friends will expand as will your feeling of satisfaction. So go ahead, let's see how your details can define your success.

Dr. Heike Jung is the President and Founder of DBLCoaching, a Young Adult Life Coaching program that inspires, motivates, encourages and supports young adults to turn their dreams into reality.  Dr. Jung is best known for her powerfully written Personal Vision Reports which she individually develops and constructs for her clients. She is dedicated and committed to her young audience and strongly believes that personal fulfillment and success can be achieved through an intense Desire for, a firm Belief in, and a determined Love for your dream. To learn more visit her website at http://www.dblcoaching.com

By Jordan D King

One of the best summer jobs available for teenagers is heading to the local body of water to work as a lifeguard. Whether at the local pool gym, a public neighborhood pool, a beach, or even a large lake or river, there is always a need for qualified, trained lifeguards to watch over the users of the pool. Lifeguarding as a job for teenagers is a great option because it has relatively flexible hours, especially if the individual has swim team or other sports practices, and because the pay is often above minimum wage, unlike many other summer jobs that will hire young people.

This article provides a sample job description and information for a teenager interested in working at their local pool. Remember that the number one key is an awareness and care about the safety of people. Number two is simply being very comfortable, efficient, and effective while swimming, as you need to be in control should a dangerous situation or incident occur. While the requirements very, depending on whether the guard will be watching over a controlled body, like a pool, or out in the wild, so to speak, working in the waves at the beach or at the local lake amongst boats and other water craft. You must pass lifeguard training for the specific body of water in which you will be working, as the requirements and certification levels vary depending on where you will eventually get a job.

A lifeguard watches over swimmers, surfers, kids playing, and others involved in water activities while on or near the water. He or she is responsible for the safety of this swimmers and the rescue of these swimmers should a problem happen. Problems really do often occur around water, because people who are not established or veteran swimmers often have fits of panic and need serious help. The diligent teen lifeguard must be ready, willing, and able to step in, provide mental comfort and physically pull the person out of the water and onto the deck. CPR may or may not be required at that point, so you must obviously be ready to preform it should the need arise. Lifeguards have passed an extensive training program and successfully aced a course in water based rescue and recovery, as well as utilizing rescue equipment that these folks are known for.. A lifeguard must maintain their equipment; as well as make sure the man-made, or man-maintained, areas around them are in proper shape. The lifeguard must be able to give first aide in an emergency, and typically is required to have undergone CPR certification.

The lifeguard job description entails a large number of tasks that the boy or girl must be aware of. These include, but are certainly not limited to enforcement, effective communication, teaching, and saving in an emergency. Duties include enforcing rules in order to preemptively solve challenges well before a problem can actually occur, and focusing on the observation of the general pool or beach area and all of the water participants in order to both prevent problems and identify potentially dangerous situations quickly and effectively.

All in all, while a great summer job for teenagers, lifeguarding requires diligent focus and astute mental and physical ability. If you are ready for the challenge, then heading to lifeguard training might just be perfect for you.

By Chara Brooks

If you're concerned about your children and possible cell phone hazards, you're in good company. More and more parents these days are educating themselves about mobile phone radiation and health risks of children using cell phones.

Yes, there's a huge controversy raging about whether cell phones are dangerous at all-to anyone. If you do just a bit of research on the topic, you'll find a whole range of conclusions. Many scientists claim more research has to be done in order to determine that mobile phone radiation is actually harmful. On the other hand, there are also numerous scientists who've concluded that the evidence is clear: cell phones are definitely dangerous.

Cell Phone Hazards

Among other things, studies show that mobile phone radiation:

• Breaks DNA strands
• Disrupts cell functioning in a number of different ways
• Breaks down the blood-brain barrier.

Doesn't sound good, does it?

Not only that, but numerous studies over the last decade have also linked mobile phone radiation with brain tumors, diabetes, autism, ADHD, and other behavioral disorders.

Even if there are conflicting conclusions of scientists-does this really matter? Are we going to wait till all the researchers finally find agreement sometime in the future (if ever) before we start getting concerned?

Children and Cell Phone Health Risks

If you have children, mobile phone radiation is even more of a concern. Many of the main studies that state there is inconclusive evidence of mobile phone hazards have relied on tests done with models of 6' 2" men, weighing 220 lbs. It seems it would be obvious, but these tests are not applicable to smaller adults-and especially not to children.
Not only are children smaller in general, their heads are a lot smaller and their skulls are thinner. This means that radiation can penetrate their brains more deeply, more quickly. In addition, their brains allow for greater absorption of the radiation, due to a high water and ion concentration in them.

You can Protect your Children against Cell Phone Hazards

But don't panic. All this is really scary for a parent to read. But there are things you can do, short of taking your children's cell phones away.

1. Limit their time on their mobile phones.

2. There's really no need for babies, toddlers or young children to use a cell phone. So check any urge you might have to see how cute your little one is when speaking into a mobile phone.

3. Purchase an air-tube headset for your child to use. Do NOT get a Bluetooth-these cause more continuous radiation to enter the head.

4. Encourage your children to not carry their phones in a pocket. They should keep them in a backpack or another bag as far away from their bodies as possible. A belt-holder won't do the trick either, because these have been linked to liver and kidney damage.

5. Beware of buying a mobile phone based on its low SAR rating. Originally, this seemed a good idea. But the FDA has reversed its findings on this: low SAR phones often generate even more radiation, due to having to work harder at finding a signal.

6. Perhaps most importantly: look into getting mobile phone radiation protection. Remember, this is a serious matter; so don't be sold on the inexpensive stickers, magnets or stones out there, purporting to protect you from your phone. Look for a reputable company that has been in business for a while and that explains their technology.

Cell phone hazards are serious-especially for kids. Why take chances with your children's health? Risks are too high. Don't wait till the "experts" finally agree for sure on whether mobile phone radiation is dangerous. Take measures to protect your children today.

By Chioma Isiadinso

Phones are not just for phone calls any more. They can be computers, maps, tour guides, game centers, cameras, search engines, and many more things. With the right apps, they can even become a tool for college.

We researched many of the education apps out there and chose the 17 most useful apps to the average college applicant and student. These 17 apps can help you with the college search, with college prep, with your college applications, with academics once you are in college, and with the college lifestyle in general.

Pretty useful, right?

While these 17 apps should not be your sole providers of information, they are certainly a convenient and fun way to take on a small part of the college admissions process.

So browse away, and happy downloading!

1. Peterson's College Guide

    What it does - allows you to search for information on thousands of institutions, including such statistics as selectivity, financial aid, and majors offered.
    Best used for - quick research or browsing to get ideas about different schools. For extensive research, rely on information from the school's admissions office and website. Also very handy for campus tours.
    Favorite Feature - "Shake for a College Suggestion" feature. Simply shake your phone and explore the random colleges that come up.

2. College Confidential Mobile App

    What it does - provides college admissions articles and allows participants to discuss various parts of the admissions process. You can participate in discussions on the go, check college application blogs, and interact with other users.
    Best used for - Background research and gauging what other college applicants are talking about.
    Favorite Feature - "Campus Vibe" section, which allows iPhone users to browse through hundreds of reports from students who have gone on college visits at a specific school.

3. futureU SAT

    What it does - allows you to play SAT prep games on the go. Games are based on a Kaplan curriculum and accompanied by test taking tips.
    Best used for - supplemental test prep.
    Favorite feature - portable nature of app allows you to study anytime or anywhere, which is great for consistent test preparation.

4. SAT Vocab Challenge Vol. 1 by The Princeton Review

    What it does - quizzes you on 250 vocabulary words often encountered on the SAT exam. You can test yourself on definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and positive and negative connotations.
    Best used for - on the go vocab studying.
    Favorite feature - some challenges are timed to simulate the actual SAT test-taking environment.

5. SAT Connect

    What it does - provides on-the-go SAT studying with 800 test questions, 7 diagnostic tests, study guides, and vocabulary flashcards. Provides feedback on your scores and times and keeps track of your progress.
    Best used for - diagnosing SAT problems areas for yourself and focusing on practice questions within those areas.
    Favorite feature -gives you detailed explanations of the answers to any questions that you miss, which helps you to avoid making the same mistake twice.

6. Common App Mobile

    What it does - allows you to fill out your applicant through your mobile phone but this not recommended.
    Best used for - checking the status of your application and making sure that various stages of your application have been processed.
    Favorite feature - the ability to check your application status on the go- you no longer have to hover nervously in front of a computer.

7. Dropbox

    What it does - keeps documents in one easily accessible location, which is great for the variety of essays and other documents that you accumulate during the college application process. Allows you to sync files from various locations.
    Best used for - storing essay drafts, recommendations, and resumes in a secure location.
    Favorite feature - app uses an online storage mechanism, which means that your documents are safe from any ill-timed computer crashes.

8. iStudiez Pro

    What it does - tracks homework and deadlines for all of your classes. You can also color code and label various extracurricular activities and place them alongside your class calendar.
    Best used for - keeping track of the many obligations that come with being a college student. Having all of your schedule information in one place will make it easy to plan out your obligations and work schedule.
    Favorite Feature - the "Today" view reflects all of your academic and extracurricular obligations for a particular day.

9. myHomework

    What it does - provides a digital calendar for your homework assignments. You can sort your homework into different class lists or view it as a calendar.
    Best used for - planning out your semester when you receive the syllabi for your classes. Knowing when all of your homework is due will help you to plan your workload and to avoid procrastination.
    Favorite feature - you can set reminder alarms to give you fair warning about upcoming due dates.

10. Stanza

    What it does - lets you download thousands of texts to your phone so that they are available to you in a more portable format. You can choose from a variety of free works or purchase other works from the app's partner stores.
    Best used for - smaller readings for your classes. For most classes it is best to own the actual book. However, for shorter readings, Stanza can save you from a very heavy backpack.
    Favorite feature - you can transfer books from your e-reader or computer simply by dragging them over to the Stanza icon.

11. Mental Case

    What it does - allows you to create flashcards using text, images or audio, or to download existing online flashcards. After you create the flashcards, you can quiz yourself directly from your phone.
    Best used for - cuts down on the time you put into writing out flashcards and gives you more time to quiz yourself.
    Favorite Feature - being able to make flashcards with high quality images is especially helpful for classes where you need to know diagrams and graphs.

12. Instapaper

    What it does - saves webpages so that you can access them later, even when you do not have Internet access. Saves most webpages as text only files, making them easy to read even on your phone.
    Best used for - bookmarking articles or pages that you need for class, or that you are just interested in. Being able to access these even without wireless coverage gives you more freedom to read and study wherever you like.
    Favorite Feature - if you are looking for something new to read, you can check out what other friends are reading or choose from the Editor's Pick list.

13. Evernote

    What it does - allows you to make random text, audio, or visual notes about pretty much anything. You can record notes, ideas, or snapshots in a searchable database for easy access later on.
    Best used for - remembering all of the random facts and ideas that you will absorb both inside and outside the classroom.
    Favorite Feature - it converts text from any snapshot images into text that is readable and searchable on your phone.

14. Bump

    What it does - allows you to exchange phone numbers and other contact information when you "bump" your phone with your friend's.
    Best used for - frenzy of introductions that you will encounter during your first weeks of college. You will meet so many people, and Bump provides an easy and fast way to get their contact information.
    Favorite feature - it almost goes without saying that being able to exchange phone numbers simply by touching phones is pretty cool...

15. PocketMoney

    What it does - keeps track of your finances with data from any checking, savings, or credit card accounts that you input.
    Best used for - making sure that you do not overstep your financial boundaries in college. It is so easy to forget how much money is in your checking account, but this app makes that information readily available even when you are on the go.
    Favorite Feature - charts and other analytics help you see where you are overspending and how to cut back

16. Wi-Fi Finder

    What it does - shows you the various wi-fi hotspots in your geographic area and how to get there.
    Best used for - finding places to study in your local community. The app is also helpful if you are studying abroad, where it can sometimes be difficult to simply stumble upon a wi-fi hotspot.
    Favorite feature - clear directions to the nearest wi-fi location

17. Urbanspoon

    What it does - helps you find nearby restaurants and view ratings and reviews for each establishment.
    Best used for - finding a restaurant in your new college town. College is all about exploring new things, so challenge yourself to discover the unique local restaurants that your area has to offer.
    Favorite feature - "Slot Machine" gives you a randomized restaurant choice when you shake your phone. It's great for when you are feeling particularly spontaneous.

University-specific applications

Most universities offer smartphone apps featuring calendars, upcoming events, university news, and important logistical information, such as dining hall menus or bus schedules.

Once you have decided which school you might attend, you should check their website or iTunes for any available apps.

About Author

Chioma Isiadinso, a former admissions board member at Harvard Business School and admissions officer at Carnegie Mellon University, provides tips, strategies and advice to college applicants on how to gain admission to top US colleges and universities.

Chioma is the founder and CEO of EXPARTUS, an admissions consulting company that helps clients gain admission to their top school by developing a unique and compelling personal brands.

To get Chioma's free college admissions report, "7 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Top US Colleges and Universities", visit http://www.expartus.com/services/college and ask for a copy of your free report today.

By Michael J Greenwood

There are many creative games for kids available today in a wide variety of formats and places. Creative games for kids are just as essential as intellectual games as they develop the right side of the human brain. This is the side that isn't logical but rather creative, intuitive, etc. Being creative will lead to a better-rounded individual as they grow into adulthood.

Children today are luckier than their parents probably were, as the worldwide Internet has extended its reach and availability. The Internet has opened up a whole new avenue of new and exciting opportunities to parents and kids.

Creative games for kids on the Internet are much more interesting for the average kid, as they promote movement and the ability to interact with what's happening. This provides great encouragement to the child to continue playing and being creative. In any creative field, from the artistic to the musical, you can find creative games for kids on the Internet.

These games range from the very simplistic, ideal for the infant, to much more involving and interesting, suitable for the older kid. Artistic games range from filling in blank spaces on already drawn pictures or cartoons, to the ability to make their own unique pieces of art. Musical games range from the simplistic hitting of drums to making your own musical composition.

However, I would not be responsible, if I did not give a word of warning. Sadly, not all that is available on the Internet is suitable or desirable for kids. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as looking at a website and seeing if it looks like it's geared towards a young person. Even some that seem aimed at kids are in fact not. Bad people will maliciously put things on their creative games for kids such as graphic violence, dirty language, etc. As a parent you must always keep an eye on what your kids are doing on the Internet. Internet blocking software can aid your efforts in keeping your children safe as they use websites.

One of the advantages for parents is that, through creative games for kids, they can try many different things from painting a watercolor picture to learning how to play the piano, without parents having to outlay the expensive cost of the actual objects or materials needed. This is an easy and quick way to determine if they have the inclination to pursue it further. Without a doubt, creative games for kids are an extremely worthwhile investment of their time.

By Michael J Greenwood

Creative learning games can be used to learn any subject from basic color and shapes, to language, to numbers, and much more. Of course, they also encourage the development of either artistic and/or musical abilities or talents which is a valid and worthwhile goal by itself.

Our brains are divided into two hemispheres, the left and the right, and each controls or deals with the different aspects that make us human, make us who we are. To put it as simply as possible, the left side deals with logic and individual details of our world, whereas the right is connected to our feelings and the overall picture of each situation we come across. Our left hemisphere can learn the name of any object we see, and the right will know what it actually does, what its purpose is. Our left hemisphere learns about language and how to read, whilst our right hemisphere deals with shapes and patterns as well as mathematics. Even from this basic explanation of our brain's hemispheres it's very easy to see that there must be a huge advantage in engaging both sides for a child's learning, although a child can become better at using one side of the brain. This is known as hemispheric dominance.

Creative learning games achieve their goal by simultaneously doing a number of things. They stimulate the child's creativity and imagination to encourage development of the right side of the brain. Through doing, seeing or hearing something artistic or musical the right-side of the brain is being used. And at the same time they develop the left-side of the brain by having a strong educational content and aspect to them. By learning and thinking about a subject the left-side is engaged with and used as well.

Another benefit of using and developing both hemispheres of a child's brain by using creative learning games is that it will improve their use of their memory. This must be considered of utmost importance for the child's successful future development. The left-side is responsible for creating memories and the right for retrieving them in the future. Thus, we can easily see that both sides are required to have a practical and useful memory. There is no purpose in having the memory if you can't actually retrieve it.

From the above, it's easy to see that there are very real, practical and desirable effects from using creative learning games for your children.