MASK The Magazine Winter 2019

maskmatters.org I was inspired to write the quote in the green box by the following quote: “If a woman asks you a question, it’s better to tell her the truth because chances are she already knows the answer.” I adapted it to reflect today’s moms and parenting. Well, I guess it could only be true if you have your child’s social media usernames and passwords and know about their “finsta” (fake-Instagram for friends only) accounts and private stories. I’ve been a parent for two and a half decades and I can’t believe how technology has taken over the lives of children today. My oldest son said something to me recently that has stuck with me, especially during this time of increased online and social media use: He said he is thankful…

MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization created in 2007 by a group of dedicated mothers who recognized the need to consistently educate families on rapidly changing issues. The MASK mission is to engage and educate parents, children and the community about the issues facing youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK fulfills its mission by engaging, educating and empowering families through the MASK E3 Institute, MASK The Magazine, an informative website, and the MASKMatters App. The MASK E3 Institute is a comprehensive year long multi-year approach to building and strengthening life skills for children, including MASK Storytime (pre-school), MASK Academy (kindergarten-6th grade), MASK Prep (middle and high school), MASK Leadership (college) and Parent University. This new digital format teaches pre-kindergarten through college…

Since the 1990s, when cell phones first became widely available in the United States, their use has increased dramatically. According to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, there were more than 400 million cell phone subscribers in the U.S. in 2017. In addition, the number of cell phone calls per day and the amount of time people use cell phones has also increased. Cell phones (including smartphones) give off a form of energy known as radiofrequency (RF) waves. Many factors can affect the amount of RF energy to which a person is exposed, including: ★ The amount of time the person is on the phone. ★ Whether the person is using the speaker mode or a hands-free device. ★ The distance and path to the nearest cell phone tower. Cell phones adjust their power…

Just because they’re children doesn’t mean your kids are safe from identity theft. If an identity thief has your child’s Social Security number, your child is at risk. Here are five steps you can take to protect your child from becoming a victim: 1 START SMART. Do not, under any circumstances, give your child important documents that could possibly be lost. Keep social security cards and birth certificates somewhere safe and secure, and never carry important documents like these in purses or cars. 2 BE PROACTIVE. If you think there’s a chance your child’s identity has been stolen, find out if they have a credit score ASAP. The faster you find this out, the sooner you can solve the problem before it damages your child’s credit once they are old enough to…

DRUG Educating kids on what to do when someone overdoses or has a bad reaction to drugs or alcohol could save their lives and the lives of others. When witnessing something like this, kids may not call for help for fear of the consequences. Look into your state’s Good Samaritan Law, which protects those who help others in dire need. BULLY Excluding someone from a group, ruining someone’s relationships, or publicly humiliating someone is considered social, or covert, bullying. Be cognizant of your child’s attitudes and behaviors, and talk with them about the long-term effects of bullying someone else. Their behavior could be a reflection of how they feel internally. TECH While your child’s social media posts or profile may not be cause for alarm, know who your child is following and who is following…

The easy accessibility of drugs to young adults, teens and even children is alarming. While we may think some drugs can be hard to obtain, the Internet is fast becoming a place where people can easily find and order drugs. Kratom is a drug that is gaining popularity. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia which has leaves containing compounds that can have mind-altering effects. Since it’s not currently an illegal substance, kratom has been easy to order online. It’s sometimes sold as a green powder, extract, or even gum in packets labeled “not for human consumption.” It’s important to familiarize yourself with possible forms of kratom so that you will be equipped to identify the drug if you think your child…