PRODUCTION - 11 July 2022, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Stuttgart: ILLUSTRATION - A teenager taps the TikTok logo on a smartphone. Photo: Marijan Murat/dpa (Photo by Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images)
I remember having a discussion with my wife about how early is too early to allow our kids on social media. Ultimately, like many other parents, we allowed them at a much earlier age than what is now being recommended.
A recent study published in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics concluded that “social media checking behaviors in early adolescence may be associated with changes in the brain’s sensitivity to social rewards and punishments.” It warned how social media use “rewires” adolescents’ brains.
This prompted a response by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy during his appearance on CNN and he warned that children should only be allowed to access the platforms once they’re between 16 and 18 which is several years older than social media companies currently allow.
Dr. Murthy also shared, “I, personally, based on the data I’ve seen, believe that 13 is too early,” and “It’s a time where it’s really important for us to be thoughtful about what’s going into how they think about their own self-worth and their relationships, and the skewed and often distorted environment of social media often does a disservice to many of those children.”
Similar to the JAMA study, Murthy warned that young people are being bombarded with harmful messages that damage their self-esteem. And then there’s a recent study by NGO report that claims TikTok’s algorithm targets “vulnerable teens” and recommends “harmful” content to them, sometimes as rapidly as every 27 to 39 seconds.
The Surgeon General also said, “If parents can band together and say, as a group, we’re not going to allow our kids to use social media until 16 or 17 or 18 or whatever age they choose, that’s a much more effective strategy in making sure your kids don’t get exposed to harm early.”
It will interesting to see if these findings and opinions will influence parents’ decisions regarding their children’s social media use.
3 New Jersey Restaurants Among Yelp's Top 100 U.S. Restaurants of 2023
Food is one of the few things that can really bring people together. Sometimes people use eating as a way to socialize, and some have even turned eating into a career or a professional sport.
So can you believe that among the million-plus restaurants in the United States? Some of the very best are located right here in New Jersey!?
Each year the online crowdsource review site Yelp publishes its top restaurants across the United States. They gather the data through user submissions and other cultural factors such as geographic representation, ratings, reviews, etc.
You’ll be glad to know Jersey had three locations this year within the top 100. This is an increase from Yelp’s 2022 list in which only two Garden State restaurants were honored.
With such a wide variety of food types having even one place featured is a win in my book. It certainly goes to show that New Jersey residents know a thing or two about food.
This year’s winners included Jessica’s Café(40) a delightful Italian and French fusion located in Plainfield. Kenko Sushi(78) over in Lincoln Park which offers quality sushi rolls. Lastly, Nicholas Anthony’s Family Kitchen(88) right in West Orange makes you feel like a part of the family as they offer up some Italian cuisine.
You really can’t go wrong with any of the three ranked Jersey locations, but maybe you’re planning a road trip across the Great Garden State so why not hit all three? This is the 10-year anniversary since Yelp started its annual listing. You know the competition was fierce, so if you’re even traveling out of state here is 100 of the best eating establishments this year according to Yelp.
