| Intimidating groups of teenagers adorn the landscape
I usually come away with new respect for mothers of small children. You can learn much about people and our own demographic by watching shoppers at the mall. I am reminded of how my grandparents, many years ago would angle park their car along the main street of my small town so they could observe the coming and going of Friday night shoppers. I guess I am continuing a family tradition by mall watching. Archie, Betty and Veronica of long ago are no longer on the scene, nor is the local soda joint. The last time we saw that was on "Happy Days" on television. The same sociology is at work today at the mall as was in those old comic books, except that it seems we have more of the Jughead characters than we had in the 40's and 50's. Intimidating groups of teenagers adorn the landscape. Sometimes dressed in black T-shirts, low slung jeans and chains with evidence of body piercing.
Dating 2.0 Picks Up Speed
It's Friday night, and your date for the evening just appeared on your computer screen. He's shifting awkwardly in his chair as he adjusts his webcam, and a comment about American Idol makes it immediately clear you haven't found your soul mate. You promptly click "End date" and -- after a few moments -- your next date appears, and you're ready to begin again. .
Guidance counsellors say culture clashes – including abuse ...
It is unclear if a generational culture clash played a part in the murder of 16-year-old Aqsa Parvez this week, but GTA schools say they do see immigrant kids torn between home and mainstream Canada. "These kids are totally caught in the middle. I've had students come to us who have been physically and verbally abused ... yet they tell us it's culturally acceptable for parents to beat them," said Stulberg. "Girls tell us their brothers follow them in the halls to make sure they're not talking to boys," she said, adding families have sent girls and boys who misbehave "back home to be married." On the other hand, the veteran counsellor says she feels badly for immigrant parents who see typical teenaged behaviour as blasphemy. "They gave up everything to bring their families here for all the opportunities Western culture can offer, but socially, they expect their children to act as if they're at home." Stulberg says teachers report cases of suspected abuse to police, but also try to serve as go-betweens with students and their parents, along with two settlement workers.
New Jersey Lawmakers Pass First-in-the-Nation Bill to Make Online ...
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The search for Mr. or Ms. Right will soon become safer thanks to the passage of new legislation in New Jersey. The "Internet Dating Safety Act," sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein was signed by Governor Jon Corzine yesterday. The legislation (S1977) arms consumers with valuable information by requiring Internet dating companies to disclose the extent of their safety measures, such as if they do or do not conduct background screenings on members who are seeking to date each other. Doing so allows consumers to make more informed decisions regarding the online dating provider they choose to use. "People who turn to the Internet to build new friendships and relationships deserve peace of mind that the person with whom they wish to form a connection is who they claim to be," said Assemblywoman Greenstein (Middlesex/Mercer).
L.A. grand jury issues subpoenas in Web suicide case
Cyber-bullying has become an increasingly creepy reality, with the anonymity of video games, message boards and other online forums offering an outlet for cruel taunts.
Former federal prosecutor Brian C. Lysaght said such a prosecution would be "not as much of a reach as it might appear at first glance." In recent years, he said, Congress has passed a series of statutes that make criminal conduct involving the Internet federal offenses.
Still, it could be difficult to draw the line between constitutionally protected free speech and conduct that is illegal.
Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, said the idea of using a fraud charge to tackle the unusual case was "an interesting and novel approach."
"But I doubt it's really going to lead to the type of punishment people really want to see, which is this woman being held responsible for this girl's death," she said.
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