Blogging: Creating Community
in the 21^st Century

In our fast-paced world, children are exposed to things at younger ages. Compounding this problem is that many parents feel they don't have a "community" of people to talk over issues we face as 21^st century parents. One place parents are finding "community" is through blogs.

• About Blogs
• Favorite Blogs
• Online Resources

About Blogs

The term "blog" comes from "Web log" and is a form of "social media" (i.e. MySpace and Wikipedia). The word "blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Blogs are user-generated Web sites where entries are made, in a style similar to a formal journal, and are displayed in reverse chronological order. Many blogs also include links to other blogs and Internet-based resources that you might find interesting.

Some blogs provide commentary on news about a particular subject, while others function more like personal online diaries. You can subscribe to most blogs so that updates come via email.
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Favorite Blogs

Below is a list of some of my favorite blogs that I think parents might enjoy -- and I've added a little description about each.

• Commonsense Media
  Dedicated to improving the media and entertainment lives of kids and families. Their site includes reviews of the latest movies and tools for parents about hot topics.


• Teen Health 411
  A medical blog hosted by Healthline and written by a parent about news and issues relating to teen health.


• Ypulse
  An independent blog for teen/youth media and marketing professionals, it's also informative about the reality of tweens and teens.

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Online Resources

Not blogs, but also good online resources for health information include:

• Go Ask Alice!
  The health question and answer Internet service produced by Columbia University's Health Promotion Program.


• TeensHealth
  Created by The Nemours Foundation for Children's Health Media to provide families with accurate, up-to-date and jargon-free health information.


• We're Talking Too! Preteen Health and We're Talking Teen Health
  PAMF's teen site, designed to provide reliable health information and resources to families.

The good news for us parents is there is support and information out there -- don't be afraid to access it. Good luck!
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