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Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Utah Gov. Cox wants you and your family to unplug this week. Here's why
For "Family Connection Week" from June 9 to June 15 2025, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox wants Utahns to put down their screens and spend time with their families. (Stock photo by Daniel de) Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has declared this week as 'Family Connection Week' to encourage Utahns to put down their phones and 'disconnect to reconnect' with loved ones. 'Spending quality time together strengthens our bonds, fosters better communication and creates lasting memories that carry us through life's challenges,' Cox said in a prepared statement. 'This week is a chance to really listen, connect and to make sure the people around us know they are valued.' From Monday to Friday this week, Cox wants Utahns to dedicate time to 'unplug from devices and reconnect through meaningful, screen-free activities,' he office said in a news release. 'This special week encourages families to be fully present with one another to create lasting memories and stronger bonds. It's the latest way Cox has encouraged Utahns to cut back on social media. He's been an outspoken critic of the addictive nature of social media algorithms and especially their negative impacts on kids. In 2023, his office launched a public awareness campaign urging parents to learn about the harms social media can have on youth. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX That campaign announcement highlighted a 2023 survey of 609 Utahns conducted by Lighthouse Research that found Utah parents reported 76% of their children use social media in some capacity, 57% use it seven days a week, and 53% use it one to three hours a day. That survey also found 88% of Utahns said social media had a detrimental impact on children and youth. According to another study published last month, researchers at the University of California San Francisco found that as preteens used more social media, their depressive symptoms increased. Using data from nearly 12,000 kids ages 9 to 10 and then three years later at 12 and 13, the study found on average, kids' social media use rose from seven to 73 minutes per day over the three years of the study, and their depressive symptoms went up 35%. In the announcement for 'Family Connection Week,' Cox's office data from the Utah Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) survey that 'supports the importance of shared time, especially mealtime.' 'Mealtimes are critical to foster communication and connection. In fact, Utah youth who sit down to eat at least one meal a week with their family are 45% less likely to report feeling depressed, 70% less likely to use vape products and 54% less likely to consider suicide,' the governor's office said, citing the SHARP survey. Social media companies applaud Utah's latest bill aimed at teen social media use 'At the same time, excessive screen time — especially on social media — can take a toll on mental health and family cohesion,' the governor's office added. 'Positive, in-person interactions lay the foundation for resilience and safety for children and adults alike. Family Connection Week encourages families to 'disconnect to reconnect' and take time to talk, laugh and connect without distractions.' In a Youtube video announcing the 'Family Connection Week' declaration, First Lady Abby Cox said their family this week will be 'making a conscious effort to put down our screens and be fully present with one another, and we invite you to do the same.' 'We are carving out time to play board games, cook meals, and participate in recreational activities together,' Abby Cox said. Encouraging Utahns to learn more about the effort, Cox's office pointed to a page on the state's website that offers a list of activities Utahns can do in their areas. The website also offers resources for parents, including stress management advice, parenting tips, child development information, and a directory for assistance programs for food, housing, access to physical and mental health care, affordable child care, utilities assistance, and more. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kids falling behind as parents treat ‘iPads as pacifiers'
If Tami Larsen could go back in time, the preschool teacher of 20 years said she'd have fiercer limits on her own children's screen time. She places strong limits now at Miss Tami's Preschool, where screens are used only rarely and then always interactively and for an educational reason. Jody Zabriskie's A to Z Building Blocks preschool and child care facilities don't use screens at all. She said that sometimes greatly frustrates the parents who do use them. Both child care professionals told Deseret News they know well the ill effects of using 'iPads as pacifiers,' as Utah officials call it. They note an increase in children who don't know how to self-soothe when they have strong emotions, so there are more tantrums and screams. Some kids have no idea how to share, either. They believe screens have a lot to do with it. 'Emotional outbursts and limited self-regulation skills' is how Zabriskie describes it, noting that parents often don't know emotional regulating techniques, either, but teaching it should start in infancy including breathing exercises.' Utah state officials are well aware of the data on screen time and the impact on children of various ages and say it's not very heartwarming. So Thursday, Gov. Spencer Cox and his wife Abby released a video and an announcement of Family Connection Week June 9-15 across the state. Getting families to mind their screen time is central to the messaging. 'Spending quality time together strengthens our bonds, fosters better communication and creates lasting memories that carry us through life's challenges,' the governor said in the release. 'This week is a chance to really listen, connect and to make sure the people around us know they are valued.' 'As we thought about what can make a big impact for families, we recognized that doing a better job getting off devices, not using screens so often and spending real intentional time together is so critical,' said Aimee Winder Newton, who oversees Utah's Office of Families. 'We really are encouraging families to put their devices down and enjoy a family meal or an activity together. The data is so strong showing family dinners together help kids.' According to the Utah Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) survey, when Utah teens sit down to eat at least one meal with family, they are 45% less apt to report feeling depressed, 70% less likely to vape and 54% less likely to consider suicide. Positive in-person interactions lay the foundation for resilience and safety for children and adults alike, the announcement said. And while putting aside social media and screens in general is important at all ages, Winder Newton said that an overlooked group are the littlest kids. Perhaps almost unbelievably, screen time in some families starts nearly from birth, as babies get parked in front of screens for distraction. And among those who are a bit older, the iPad or smartphone or TV are sometimes used as a calming tool whenever a child is cranky. That's bad news for a lot of reasons, including because excessive screen time has been linked by research to developmental delays in speech, motor skills and emotional intelligence, as well as sleep disruptions. It increases sedentary time and dilutes ability to problem solve. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry both say babies should have absolutely no screen time. Winder Newton notes one exception: interactive activities like FaceTiming with a grandparent. The pediatric group's recommendation is that children 18 months to 2 years old should have absolutely zero solo use of screens and when an adult is with them using screens, it should be limited to educational material. Those ages 2 to 5 should have an hour or less and only view it with a parent or sibling. Finally, children 6 and older should have two hours tops and parents should 'place consistent limits on time and media type.' 'Children learn best when they're watching with someone else and the adult can explain what they're watching,' Winder Newton said of children preschool-age and younger. She admits that she's a fan of screens when it comes to connecting little kids to relatives. She loves to FaceTime with her granddaughter when she can't visit her, though they don't live very far apart. They play peek-a-boo or sing songs and it's smiles all around. And she notes that educational shows can be good for kids, in limited amounts and if they're high quality. Winder Newton said she understands that parents come home from work sometimes and just need a minute. But screens with the very littlest ones are not a good solution. And the worst use of screens at that age — 'it's very concerning,' she said — is distracting or soothing a child by just handing them a screen to watch. 'That's where we're starting to see some trouble.' Those children don't learn to self-soothe or distract themselves without a device. 'Their social and emotional maturity is lacking because they don't have that interaction with people or learn how to soothe themselves.' However, she added, if you're stuck on a plane with a screaming child, the screen could be a valuable tool. 'But when you're at home during the day, make sure that's not a constant part of their daily routine and they're getting plenty of other interaction. It's really, really important,' said Winder Newton. Larsen has also been a substitute teacher for a long time in a local school district. She thinks kindergartners and those in first grade have the hardest time with self-control, but part of that is because that's the age group that didn't get outside social exposure during COVID-19, she added. Children ages 3 to 5 are not all well-versed in showing respect and many seem to feel entitled in ways that children that age did not years ago, she said. Zabriskie notes that screens do calm children, which is why many parents see it as an effective tool. The babies and toddlers are stimulated by the lights and the rapidly changing images that are common in screens. When they hear A to Z Building Blocks doesn't use screens, parents sometimes offer to bring in their own iPad in case their child struggles with strong emotions. She said it's common with children who have special needs, too. Zabriskie's a fan of teaching children breathing techniques. 'OK, let's breathe together. Let's figure this out together, rather than I am going to put you over here because I've got to deal with my own emotions.' She also says to give parents some grace. 'Really, I think parents are doing the best that they possibly can and as providers, we do the best that we can. You can never say anything bad about either source because everyone's just trying to do the best that they can to help these children.' Larsen believes parental screen time has as much impact as the kids' use of screens. Children are affected when they can't get the attention of a parent whose face is in a phone. 'I really do feel like that affects the children's self-esteem. It affects their ability to get their point across; they're crying out for attention and then they try to get it in negative ways because they are not getting it.' Zabriskie said parents must learn to calm themselves so they can teach techniques to their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these recommendations, shared by Utah officials: Don't use screen time to pacify, babysit or end tantrums. No screens during family meals and outings. Don't use screens while feeding your child. Use parental controls — and control your own screen use around children to model healthy screen habits. Build in lots of face-to-face time, as it boosts language ability, emotional intelligence and social skill development. Winder Newton said she loved to take her toddlers to the grocery store, despite the risk of tantrums. There were lots of colors and things to talk about, people smiling and interacting. And if a tantrum was brewing, it was a chance to teach her youngsters how not to behave and that a tantrum wouldn't get them what they wanted. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services offers a list of suggested activities to 'disconnect and reconnect' during Family Connection Week.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Helix Human Services holds Pride flag-raising ceremony in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – June is Pride Month, a time for celebrating and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. One local organization marked the occasion with a special flag-raising ceremony. The Springfield nonprofit Helix Human Services hosted the flag-raising on Tuesday as a colorful symbol of inclusion, acceptance, and hope. DCR partners with local LGBTQ+ organizations to host Pride Hikes in Mass. Despite progress made in recent years, the LGBTQ+ community still faces political attacks and discrimination. This event is just one example of how Helix is working towards creating safe spaces and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. It's also helping to build resilience and strength amongst the LGBTQ+ community. 'I think now today it's incredibly important to make sure that we recognize individuals,' said Helix Human Services CEO Mark Paglia. 'And under the climate we live in every day, celebrate individuals, celebrate who they are and who they want to be.' Helix has started programs and services for the LGBTQ plus community. This includes their SHARP residential program which is a safe home for young adults to support youth who've experienced trauma with moderate to severe mental-health and behavioral-health challenges and may be struggling with their personal identity. And during this event, the non-profit also celebrated 160 years of serving the Springfield community. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Department of Health and Human Services deletes mental health report on Utah's transgender children
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has quietly deleted reports tracking the mental health of transgender youth in Utah from its webpage, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. HHS did not delete reports using the same datasets to evaluate the mental health of cisgender youth who were straight, gay, bisexual, and unsure in the state. The 'Utah Student Health and Risk Prevention' (SHARP) survey asks students to answer questions about their health and well-being. In 2023, 51,890 students took the voluntary survey in grades six, eight, 10, and 12. Of those students who responded to the question asking if they were transgender, 729, or 1.4 percent, responded affirmatively, although children in grade six were not asked about their gender identity. Related: White House gender-affirming care post is full of lies The compiled datasets were evaluated and available in 'Transgender Student Profile Report[s]' on the Utah Office of Substance Use and Mental Health on February 2, but disappeared by March 4, the Tribune reports. 'Your willingness to participate has helped families and communities throughout the state in many different ways,' the SHARP website says of the survey. 'The knowledge we've gained from the SHARP survey is invaluable – because it tells us where to look for problems and solutions.' Related: Controversial Trump HHS report targets care for trans kids The data had also been deleted from the website of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), until a federal judge ordered the data to be restored online. The CDC now issues the following disclaimer on its website. 'Per a court order, HHS is required to restore this website as of 11:59 p.m. ET, February 11, 2025,' the site notes. 'Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from the immutable biological reality that there are two sexes, male and female. The Trump Administration rejects gender ideology and condemns the harms it causes to children, by promoting their chemical and surgical mutilation, and to women, by depriving them of their dignity, safety, well-being, and opportunities. This page does not reflect biological reality and therefore the Administration and this Department rejects it.' Related: HHS launches 'whistleblower' portal targeting trans kids The compiled data showed warning signs for transgender children, with roughly 60 percent saying they had contemplated death by suicide in the previous year, while nearly 25 percent reported they had attempted to die by suicide. Ilan Meyer, a distinguished senior scholar at the Williams Institute at UCLA, which studies gender and sexual identity issues and policies, cautioned that the climate for the well-being and mental health of transgender children will not get better by denying their existence. Related: Trump administration to defund suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth starting in October 'Whatever it is that LGBT youth are going through is continuing, and just not knowing something doesn't really address the underlying problem,' Meyer, of the Williams Institute, told the Tribune. 'By not knowing, you're not going to be able to address it at all. And maybe that's the point.' If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at or text START to 678678.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Department of Health and Human Services deletes mental health report on Utah's transgender children
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has quietly deleted reports tracking the mental health of transgender youth in Utah from its webpage, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. HHS did not delete reports using the same datasets to evaluate the mental health of cisgender youth who were straight, gay, bisexual, and unsure in the state. The 'Utah Student Health and Risk Prevention' (SHARP) survey asks students to answer questions about their health and well-being. In 2023, 51,890 students took the voluntary survey in grades six, eight, 10, and 12. Of those students who responded to the question asking if they were transgender, 729, or 1.4 percent, responded affirmatively, although children in grade six were not asked about their gender identity. Related: White House gender-affirming care post is full of lies The compiled datasets were evaluated and available in 'Transgender Student Profile Report[s]' on the Utah Office of Substance Use and Mental Health on February 2, but disappeared by March 4, the Tribune reports. 'Your willingness to participate has helped families and communities throughout the state in many different ways,' the SHARP website says of the survey. 'The knowledge we've gained from the SHARP survey is invaluable – because it tells us where to look for problems and solutions.' Related: Controversial Trump HHS report targets care for trans kids The data had also been deleted from the website of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), until a federal judge ordered the data to be restored online. The CDC now issues the following disclaimer on its website. 'Per a court order, HHS is required to restore this website as of 11:59 p.m. ET, February 11, 2025,' the site notes. 'Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from the immutable biological reality that there are two sexes, male and female. The Trump Administration rejects gender ideology and condemns the harms it causes to children, by promoting their chemical and surgical mutilation, and to women, by depriving them of their dignity, safety, well-being, and opportunities. This page does not reflect biological reality and therefore the Administration and this Department rejects it.' Related: HHS launches 'whistleblower' portal targeting trans kids The compiled data showed warning signs for transgender children, with roughly 60 percent saying they had contemplated death by suicide in the previous year, while nearly 25 percent reported they had attempted to die by suicide. Ilan Meyer, a distinguished senior scholar at the Williams Institute at UCLA, which studies gender and sexual identity issues and policies, cautioned that the climate for the well-being and mental health of transgender children will not get better by denying their existence. Related: Trump administration to defund suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth starting in October 'Whatever it is that LGBT youth are going through is continuing, and just not knowing something doesn't really address the underlying problem,' Meyer, of the Williams Institute, told the Tribune. 'By not knowing, you're not going to be able to address it at all. And maybe that's the point.' If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at or text START to 678678.
