Is “Sexting” a Crime?

by Peg Rusconi | WBZTV | March 30, 2009

A group of high school students involved in the practice of “sexting”- the action of sending sexual pictures or text via cell phone, could face criminal charges for disseminating child pornography. The students could be charged for getting and forwarding the sex video of two underage students.

CMCH Director, Dr. Michael Rich, argues that today’s kids are very adept in the interactive Web and technology, which combined with sexual curiosity may lead to sexting.


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Does TV Make Your Baby Smarter?

by Alice Park | Time | March 3, 2009

Are educational videos and TV programs, such as Baby Einstein helping infants be smarter? Well, research says otherwise.

In a new study published in the current issue of Pediatrics, CMCH researchers Dr Marie Evans Schmidt and Dr. Michael Rich, looked at the relationship between TV viewing and language and motor skills development.


The authors concluded that TV viewing has no positive or negative benefit on young children’s language development or cognitive skills. They agree if parents want to stimulate their children, the best way is to play with them.


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Is Educational Programming Good or Bad for Young Children?

by Sandra Hughes | CBS Evening News | March 2, 2009

Parents look to stimulate their children’s development by reaching out for educational video and TV programming. But is educational programming doing to infants what many parents think?

According to a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, CMCH researchers Dr Marie Evans Schmidt and Dr. Michael Rich, found that TV viewing has no positive or negative impact on the development of language or cognitive skills in young children. The authors point out that there are some health risks associated with TV watching and recommend that parents should find other options for positive brain development.


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Cell phones and Kids = Educational Opportunity?

by Jake Berry | CapeCod Times | March 1, 2009

Cells phones are nowadays a main form of communication in kids’ lives. Both parents and educators debate the merits- and dangers of child cell phone use, in and out of the classroom.

According to CMCH Senior Scientist Dick Chalfen , cell phones are
“a more definitive part of childhood experience,” and schools should take the opportunity to teach students and educators that rather than a classroom distraction, cell phones may be used as an educational tool.


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