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Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
Concerning stat shows Aussie kids using AI for companionship
New research has revealed the extent that Australian children are integrating Artificial Intelligence into their lives. One of the most confronting findings from the study was that 40 per cent of Aussie parents suspect their child is using AI for emotional support or companionship. Released on August 5, the 2025 Cyber Safety Insights Report: Connected Kids study was conducted by Norton and unearthed the types of AI tools children are turning to and how these trends intersect with the darker side of kids being online, including cyberbulling. According to the study, 36 per cent of parents say their child uses ChatGPT, while 28 per cent use AI school tools like Grammarly. Screen time is becoming a central pillar to the lives of many Aussie kids, with parents revealing that they are spending an average of 3.34 hours a day engrossed by a screen. Aussie kids are spending an average of 3.34 hours a day engrossed by a screen. Credit: lev dolgachov / Syda Productions - While AI can be used as an educational tool, the study also found that 15 per cent of Aussie kids have experienced cyberbullying and 31 per cent have been caught online after bedtime. 'We're witnessing a generational shift in how children form relationships, express themselves, and seek support — and it's increasingly shaped by digital tools, including AI,' said Mark Gorrie, Managing Director for Norton. 'This can be a difficult space for parents to navigate, especially when kids often adopt new technologies faster than we do. That knowledge gap can leave parents a step behind when trying to support their children online. 'From managing screen time to responding to emotional reliance on technology, today's parents are facing challenges that simply didn't exist a decade ago. While digital tools offer incredible opportunities, they also come with new risks.' The Australian Youth Digital Index 2024, which surveyed more than 4,700 Australians aged 8-25, confirms young people's growing dependency on digital tools for safety, connection, and emotional wellbeing. But as new platforms and behaviours emerge, many parents are playing catch-up; especially when today's kids get a phone by age 12, while Gen X and Boomer parents didn't get theirs until ages 24 and 41, respectively. The Connected Kids Report underscores that as children engage with technology earlier and more frequently, it's essential for parents to stay proactive, informed and involved.
New York Post
22-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Stressed? This simple trick helps you let it all go — no workout gear required
In need of an ink-tervention? If you're struggling to process your emotions, manage stress or gain clarity, you may want to get on the write track. Shawna Thibodeau, a Toronto-area mental health nurse turned spiritual mentor, suggests release journaling as a healthy outlet for expressing difficult feelings. 5 Meditation teacher Shawna Thibodeau wrote a book, 'The Light That Shines Through,' which highlights her journey from darkness to healing. Clee Images. 'My work really involves working with both the dark and the light,' Thibodeau told The Post. 'We're learning practices that can help with challenging emotions like stress, anxiety, fear, worry, overwhelm,' she continued. 'We're also learning practices that help us to connect to and embody more light.' She was inspired to put release journaling in her toolkit by Dr. John Sarno, a mind-body medical pioneer who believed that releasing repressed emotions through 20 minutes of nightly journaling could relieve chronic pain. The prompts include: 'I'm angry about…,' 'I'm sad about…,' 'I'm overwhelmed by…,' 'I'm stressed because…' and 'I'm fearful of…' 5 Release journaling can help you address difficult feelings like stress, anxiety and fear. OlgaPS – 'Release everything you are feeling,' Thibodeau said. 'Have no filter — exactly what is in your mind, put it on paper.' Go for at least 10 minutes. Once the time is up, acknowledge that these emotions are allowed to be here. 'You can even say, 'This anger can be here, this stress can be here,'' Thibodeau said. Now, it's time for the light. Review what you wrote and ask yourself, 'What would be three things that are the opposite of this?' If you are feeling stress, for example, greater inner peace or more harmony in your household would be the opposite. Then, gently close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath in. Exhale any stress. Relax your jaw, forehead and your belly outwards. 'These are places we tend to hold tension,' Thibodeau said. 5 Imagine the opposite of your stress or frustrations and visualize breathing it in. Svetlana Khutornaia – Now it's time to welcome in loving energy. On your next inhale, state the word 'love' in your mind. Repeat 'love' with every breath in. 'What we actually need most is love,' Thibodeau said. 'So we're just practicing welcoming it in and finding it within ourselves versus seeking it in the external world.' Afterward, go down your list of three opposites one by one. Say thank you for what you wrote down, like 'it's already come to you,' Thibodeau suggested. 5 Release journaling 'sends a signal to our body' that challenging emotions are OK to feel, Thibodeau said. Syda Productions – 'Repeat this a few times,' she added. 'You can also visualize breathing it in.' And finally, end with love. State the word 'love' on an inhale, breathing loving energy into your body. When you're ready, gently wiggle your fingers and toes and open your eyes. 'This is a way that we can actually communicate what we're struggling with, what we desire,' Thibodeau said about the mini-meditation. 'Interesting things start to stumble onto your path, and this is what starts to deepen your spiritual relationship over time.' In her own life, Thibodeau found meditation when she was struggling with depression in nursing school. She got certified in it and eventually began teaching it full-time. Her clients tend to be women in their 20s to mid-life. Some are grappling with mental health issues and dissatisfaction with their lives, while others are trying to reach their highest potential. 5 Manifest good things by identifying what you want and expressing thanks as if these things have already come to you. Lyndi Photography. She takes a psycho-spiritual approach, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy, EFT tapping and spiritual modalities. Think energy healing, visualization and manifestation along with meditation. She teaches daily routines and 'SOS' practices for challenging emotions in an eight-week online program called the Radiant Mind Academy. Release journaling is more of an 'SOS' exercise, Thibodeau said. 'What we're often doing is we're actually shaming our emotions inside,' she noted. 'By release journaling, we're sending a signal to our body that these emotions are OK to feel, and we can actually spend time releasing them and getting them out in healthy ways.' Thibodeau also runs healing and spiritual retreats and recently wrote 'The Light That Shines Through.' The memoir delves into her journey from darkness to healing and transformation after her brother died of an accidental drug overdose. '[The book] can be very helpful for anyone struggling with depression, anxiety, mental health, grief, loss,' she said. 'It can be helpful for people wanting to learn how to transform their reality, create greater abundance, success, expansion, because that's kind of how these practices have helped me.'
New York Post
21-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Boomers are sitting on nearly $19 trillion in real estate — here's where they hold the most housing health
Advertisement Baby boomers are sitting on a staggering amount of housing wealth—across the U.S., they own an estimated $18 trillion to $19 trillion worth of real estate. Boomers now hold nearly half of the nation's real estate wealth. This is a direct reflection of decades of homeownership, rising property values, and the generational shift that is now reshaping the housing market. But, where exactly is that wealth concentrated? A new analysis reveals that while boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—have planted roots across the country, a handful of metro areas stand out as hotbeds for retiree real estate wealth. Unsurprisingly, Florida dominates the list, claiming five of the top 10 spots. Advertisement 7 Baby Boomers own an estimated $18 trillion to $19 trillion worth of real estate. 7 Boomers now hold nearly half of the nation's real estate wealth. Syda Productions – The Sunshine State offers warm weather, no state income tax, and a lifestyle that's long appealed to retirees—but other destinations, from coastal California to scenic New England, are also popular. The ranking combines three factors: the share of homeowners aged 65 and up, the total value of homes in each market, and the estimated value held by older residents. The result is a snapshot of where retirees aren't just living—but where they're holding some of the most valuable pieces of the American housing pie. Advertisement The wealthiest retiree markets in America North Port-Bradenton, FL Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $97 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 56% Median home price: $495,000 In this metro, located in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the coast, more than half of homeowners are boomers. North Port isn't strictly a beach town; the metro includes miles of coastline and many other popular destinations such as Venice Beach. This means retirees have options: either direct access to the beach, or proximate access without having to pay some of the steeper prices that come with the territory. They also own an estimated $97 billion of the roughly $174 billion real estate value in this metro. 7 The Sunshine State offers warm weather, no state income tax, and a lifestyle that's long appealed to retirees. Vane Nunes – Advertisement 7 The ranking combines three factors: the share of homeowners aged 65 and up, the total value of homes in each market, and the estimated value held by older residents. Naples-Marco Island, FL Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $70 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 57% Median home price: $749,000 Also located on Florida's west coast, this area is known as the Sunshine State's Paradise Coast. It offers white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, and an abundance of outdoor activities, with more than 90 golf courses. With more homes within proximity to the water, the area has a higher price range, with the median list price of $749,000. The 65 and older age group owns about $70 billion out of the $122 billion real estate value in Naples-Marco Island. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $54 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 47% Median home price: $995,000 Located roughly 40 miles north of San Francisco, this area is in Sonoma County, famed for its wine country and access to nature for active retirees. 'Santa Rosa as a whole is geared toward retirees,' Fermin Escutia, real estate agent at W Real Estate, tells 'Petaluma is the most affordable town north of San Francisco. The sizes of the homes are going to be smaller, but the draw is the small community feel with plenty of events.' Advertisement 7 Map of the U.S. showing top 10 metro areas where retirees hold the most real estate wealth. 7 Located roughly 40 miles north of San Francisco, this area is in Sonoma County, famed for its wine country and access to nature for active retirees. The scenic foggy metro comes at a cost, with a median list price of $995,000. Of the homeowners here, 47% are those aged 65 and up, and they hold roughly $54 billion of the $116 billion real estate value. Barnstable Town, MA (Cape Cod) Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $34 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 53% Median home price: $899,250 Advertisement The Cape Cod region has been a favorite destination among retirees for years, and many are drawn here by the coastal charm despite the chilly New England weather, as well as a slower pace outside the Boston area. 'The summers are beautiful here, and Barnstable has little hidden gems and local villages and charm you can't discover in just one weekend,' Deborah Garner, a real estate agent with Kinlin Grover Compass, tells 7 Of the homeowners here, 47% are those aged 65 and up, and they hold roughly $54 billion of the $116 billion real estate value. But soaking up this classic charm full time comes at a cost, with a median list price of $899,250. New listings are down 6.5% from a year ago, and new construction in the Northeast is less active than in some Southern and Midwestern states, resulting in fewer options available. Homeowners aged 65 and up accounted for $34 billion out of the $64 billion real estate value. 'There is a generational effect where property gets passed down and families find it hard to part with homes,' says Garner. Advertisement Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! Prescott-Prescott Valley, AZ Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $27 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 58% Median home price: $669,000 In Arizona's Prescott-Prescott Valley market, those aged 65 and up own 58% of the homes. The Prescott area is known for its older demographic, with a median age of 60.3, while the Prescott Valley area tends to draw a younger crowd, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Arizona, as a state, is a popular destination for retirees, and Prescott-Prescott Valley offers a warm climate without the humidity found in Florida. Insurance costs are lower, too, due to the lack of hurricane threats. The median list price for the area comes in at $669,000, with those aged 65 and up owning $27 billion of the $47 billion real estate value.
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
What does ‘green living' look like in the summer?
Most Americans want to reduce their environmental impact, and many are taking it a step further by practicing green living this summer, according to a recent survey. In the poll of 2,000 American adults, three-quarters (75%) said they want to reduce the negative effects of their lifestyle and purchases on Mother Earth. Seasonality may have some influence here, as 64% of those admitted it's easier to be eco-friendly during the summertime. 4 Most Americans want to reduce their environmental impact, and many are taking it a step further by practicing green living this summer, according to a recent survey. Drobot Dean – But even still, almost seven in 10 (69%) are adopting green living this season and shaping their habits and routines to be as sustainable and eco-conscious as possible. For many, green living just looks like recycling (78%) and creating less trash (66%). Sixty-four percent are also working to conserve water, and 58% are using less electricity. Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by the study also found that most (87%) feel it's important to be environmentally responsible during the summer to reduce waste and pollution, given the number of events, holidays, and parties during the season. And based on respondents' tips for green living, the survey found that sustainability isn't complicated. Many shared advice that centered on conscious consumption and taking a 'less is more' approach to shopping. A number of respondents make a point to compost their food waste and avoid plastic packaging when shopping. Other eco-friendly tips include 'Carry a reusable kit — a water bottle, shopping bag, and utensil set everywhere you go,' 'Incorporate new habits into your lifestyle and they become normal,' and 'Turn the water off when you brush your teeth.' Respondents summarized how easy it is to live green by saying, 'Just be conscious of every little thing you do. You never know when you will be able to do something in a more sustainable manner' and simply 'Buy produce that is not packed in a bag of plastic.' 4 Seasonality may have some influence here, as 64% of those admitted it's easier to be eco-friendly during the summertime. Syda Productions – And this summer, many (29%) are grocery shopping for items with minimal packaging, along with foods that are quick and easy to prepare (64%). Nutrient-density (44%) is also important to people when grocery shopping, along with taking home hydrating foods (35%). Top summer grocery haul items from the survey include high-protein selections like chicken (74%) and eggs (68%), along with hydration-rich foods like watermelon (68%), greens (66%), and tomatoes (63%). 'There's a handful of considerations people have when grocery shopping during the summertime and, at times, it can feel overwhelming,' said Stephanie Barlow, senior director of communications at 'Many people are balancing rising grocery prices and their needs for healthy, sustainable, and hydrating foods. Eating watermelon can check all these boxes since it's affordable, nutrient-dense, hydrating, and uses minimal or no plastic packaging.' In the survey, respondents were asked about their health goals, and the study found that consuming more healthy foods (78%) and drinking more water (76%) are adults' top wellness priorities. And for respondents with kids (61%), their biggest health goals for their kids are also improving their hydration (50%) and healthy food intake (47%). So it's no surprise that nearly a third of adults (31%) confessed they're typically dehydrated on any given summer day, and more than a fifth of parents (22%) admitted they struggle to get their kids to drink enough water. To help with this, the majority of parents surveyed (66%) divulged that they feed their kids water-rich foods during the summertime to 'sneak' some hydration in. And the most popular hydrating foods respondents enjoy on summer days are watermelon (74%), strawberries (54%), oranges (46%), and cucumber (46%). This corresponds nicely with both survey respondents and their kids' favorite summertime fruit being watermelon (60% and 51% respectively). 'If you're struggling to stay hydrated during the heat of the summer, try eating some watermelon,' said Barlow. 'Or if you just want a cool, refreshing snack, watermelon is perfect for that too.' 4 Many respondents make a point to compost their food waste and avoid plastic packaging when shopping. Kitreel – TOP GREEN LIVING SUMMER HABITS Recycling (78%) Creating less trash and waste (66%) Conserving water (64%) Using less electricity (58%) Driving less in general (56%) Walking whenever possible (56%) Buying locally made/grown products (51%) Shopping less in general (44%) Buying secondhand products (36%) Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters GREEN LIVING TIPS 'Build a compost pile out of anything organic that you would otherwise throw away.' 'I buy fewer things but choose high-quality, sustainable options.' 'Carry a reusable kit — a water bottle, shopping bag, and utensil set everywhere you go.' 'Just be conscious of every little thing you do. You never know when you will be able to do something in a more sustainable manner.' 'Incorporate new habits into your lifestyle, and they become normal. We compost, recycle, buy secondhand, and conserve resources. Turn the water off when you brush your teeth!' 'I try my best to buy produce that is not packed or sacked in a bag of plastic.' 'Turn off the lights, take shorter showers, recycle whenever possible, and buy items at thrift stores.' 'Going paperless with bills.' 4 'Build a compost pile out of anything organic that you would otherwise throw away,' is a tip experts say to follow for green living.' Daisy Daisy – FAVORITE HYDRATING SUMMER FOODS Watermelon (74%) Strawberries (54%) Oranges (46%) Cucumber (46%) Pineapple (42%) Cantaloupe (42%) Peaches (41%) Lettuce (37%) Tomatoes (37%) Honeydew melon (30%) Celery (22%) Bell peppers (20%) Zucchini (14%) Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 17 and June 23, 2025.
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
American mom shocked by one striking difference in European parenting style: ‘This is how kids learn'
While enjoying a vacation in Portugal with her husband, momfluencer Erin Monroe (@ ) pointed out how different European children are from American children. In the TikTok video, Monroe — who has three kids of her own — noticed that 'The culture around kids here is so different than it is in the States. The kids are just everywhere, they're part of everything.' Advertisement The mom explained that while she was dining at a restaurant in Cascais, Portugal, she noticed a large group of kids, ranging in age, playing soccer in an open area next to the establishment, and said that she heard what sounded like at least four different languages being spoken. 'There was one older kid who was actively translating for the other kids,' she recalled. 'It's so interesting to me because the language barrier isn't even really a barrier. Especially for kids, they don't care.' 3 Portuguese citizens are complaining of overtourism in cities like Lisbon and Porto. NurPhoto via Getty Images Advertisement Monroe also said the parents were just enjoying wine and bread inside the restaurant, and appeared to be leaving the kids to their own fun. Meanwhile, in America — parents often shove screens in front of kids' faces to keep them occupied and quiet. Of course, anytime there's a Europe versus the US comparison — people online love to chime in with their opinions. 3 The surprised mom said that if a large group of kids were playing in an American restaurant, patrons would get 'grumpy.' Syda Productions – Advertisement 'Love how Americans discover the world,' one snarky commenter wrote. 'This is how kids learn to socialize. How do they learn it in the States?' asked someone else. 'American living in Greece here… kids are everywhere and with the family all the time. Kids sleep at the tavernas on the chairs till 1 am …. Life is so different than being in the states,' a comment explained. 'I don't feel, as a parent in the U.S., that my kids are as welcomed in public spaces as I observed them being welcomed in Portugal,' the mom said, agreeing with many commenters in a follow-up video. Advertisement This video is the latest in a string of anti-tourist sentiments from European locals. 3 Locals of destinations in countries like Spain, Greece, Italy and Croatia have warned tourists that their cities are already crowded enough. Anna Polishchuk – However, a recent poll of European tourism experts revealed that while people from different European countries generally tend to perceive Americans as annoying, rude and entitled, there are some things they can appreciate about travelers from across the pond. Experts from several countries, like Italy and Greece, noted that their countrymen especially appreciate generous American tipping culture — there's a first. In France, they appreciate Americans' eagerness for their country. 'Even after two hours, they [Americans] remain enthusiastic and eager for more,' Marie-Cécile Ruault-Marmande of the National Museum of Pre-History in the Dordogne gushed. 'They appreciate very detailed explanations, exhibiting a great capacity for amazement.'
