Preventing Dating Violence Though Education
(CBS)
All Blog Posts from Couric & Co.
Read all 'teens' posts in Couric & Co.
December 4, 2009 5:00 PM Lindsay Ann Burke was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2005. Her mother, Ann wrote the blog below.
December 3, 2009 7:27 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Teen Dating Violence
I'm Kelly Wallace, Katie is on assignment.
It's a classic story: Boy meets Girl. They flirt, they date, it starts to get serious. But for thousands of American teens, that's when things go terribly wrong.
Dating violence is on the rise, fueled in part by email, Instant Messaging and texting, which give kids new ways to keep tabs on - and control - their partners.
On tonight's CBS Evening News, Katie interviews an 18-year-old girl who was routinely beaten and raped by the young man she considered her "boyfriend."
Even younger girls are at risk. A recent survey found that 25 percent of tweens report physical abuse in their relationships.
Laws that mandate education on dating violence have passed or are pending in 14 states. That's a start… but it's not enough.
As parents, we need to make sure all our schools teach this important lesson - and teach it ourselves at home. Sons and daughters both need to know that love should never come with bruises.
I'm Kelly Wallace, CBS News.
It's a classic story: Boy meets Girl. They flirt, they date, it starts to get serious. But for thousands of American teens, that's when things go terribly wrong.
Dating violence is on the rise, fueled in part by email, Instant Messaging and texting, which give kids new ways to keep tabs on - and control - their partners.
On tonight's CBS Evening News, Katie interviews an 18-year-old girl who was routinely beaten and raped by the young man she considered her "boyfriend."
Even younger girls are at risk. A recent survey found that 25 percent of tweens report physical abuse in their relationships.
Laws that mandate education on dating violence have passed or are pending in 14 states. That's a start… but it's not enough.
As parents, we need to make sure all our schools teach this important lesson - and teach it ourselves at home. Sons and daughters both need to know that love should never come with bruises.
I'm Kelly Wallace, CBS News.
June 9, 2009 6:28 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Teen Bedtimes
If you're a parent who feels like your teen has morphed into Rip Van Winkle or Sleeping Beauty - always sawing wood - listen up. All that sleep time could be good for them.
A new study from Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health says that kids who get more sleep are less likely to suffer from depression.
As tough as it may be to convince them to step away from their Facebook pages and iPods late at night, it's well worth the effort. Teens whose parents allow them to stay up past midnight are 42 percent more likely to feel depressed and 30 percent more likely to have suicidal thoughts.
A reasonable bedtime isn't just for tots and tweens, it's good for the older kids, as well. Even though with the amount of homework they're getting these days, it may be like dreaming the impossible dream.
So, Mr. Van Winkle and Miss Beauty, lights out. You need your rest - and that's no fairy tale.
That's a page from my notebook.
A new study from Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health says that kids who get more sleep are less likely to suffer from depression.
As tough as it may be to convince them to step away from their Facebook pages and iPods late at night, it's well worth the effort. Teens whose parents allow them to stay up past midnight are 42 percent more likely to feel depressed and 30 percent more likely to have suicidal thoughts.
A reasonable bedtime isn't just for tots and tweens, it's good for the older kids, as well. Even though with the amount of homework they're getting these days, it may be like dreaming the impossible dream.
So, Mr. Van Winkle and Miss Beauty, lights out. You need your rest - and that's no fairy tale.
That's a page from my notebook.
February 17, 2009 7:28 PM
Katie Couric's Notebook: Teen "Sexting"
They call it "sexting:" teenagers using cell phones to send nude or semi-nude pictures to a girlfriend or boyfriend. It's not only disturbing, it could be illegal.
A new study says one out of five teens has sent them, and almost a third have received these inappropriate images. In some states, it's considered child pornography, and it even sparked court cases in Wisconsin and Ohio.
As if that isn't bad enough, these photos are often forwarded from friend to friend, and in some situations, the entire class.
Parents may feel torn about checking out their teen's cell phone. There is certainly a debate to be had about privacy and trust. But the stakes are high when kids start cyber-swapping photos. When they hit the Internet, they are there to stay. In the hands of a college admissions officer or future employer, they could even destroy a chance to fulfill a dream.
There's nothing sexy about that.
A new study says one out of five teens has sent them, and almost a third have received these inappropriate images. In some states, it's considered child pornography, and it even sparked court cases in Wisconsin and Ohio.
As if that isn't bad enough, these photos are often forwarded from friend to friend, and in some situations, the entire class.
Parents may feel torn about checking out their teen's cell phone. There is certainly a debate to be had about privacy and trust. But the stakes are high when kids start cyber-swapping photos. When they hit the Internet, they are there to stay. In the hands of a college admissions officer or future employer, they could even destroy a chance to fulfill a dream.
There's nothing sexy about that.
July 8, 2008 6:18 PM 
Kelly Wallace is a CBS News Correspondent based in New York.
As a mother of two children under 2 ½, I find myself gravitating towards those stories that could impact my little girls when they grow up. Tonight’s report on The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is one of those stories.
A new survey on teen dating violence and abuse signals what may be a worrisome trend – one in five 13 to 14 year olds say their friends have been punched, kicked, hit or slapped by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Nearly half of all tweens, kids from 11 to 14, say their friends have been verbally abused in a relationship. First, I don’t know about you, but when I was 11 or 12, I was still playing school, not dating. Secondly, it is troubling, especially as a parent, to think how many young people appear to be victims of emotional, physical and sexual abuse in a relationship. Think of the impact on their lives and on society as a whole if perpetrators of this violence grow up and continue their abusive behaviors.
High Stakes: Teen Dating Violence
(CBS)
As a mother of two children under 2 ½, I find myself gravitating towards those stories that could impact my little girls when they grow up. Tonight’s report on The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is one of those stories.
A new survey on teen dating violence and abuse signals what may be a worrisome trend – one in five 13 to 14 year olds say their friends have been punched, kicked, hit or slapped by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Nearly half of all tweens, kids from 11 to 14, say their friends have been verbally abused in a relationship. First, I don’t know about you, but when I was 11 or 12, I was still playing school, not dating. Secondly, it is troubling, especially as a parent, to think how many young people appear to be victims of emotional, physical and sexual abuse in a relationship. Think of the impact on their lives and on society as a whole if perpetrators of this violence grow up and continue their abusive behaviors.
July 8, 2008 5:57 PM
That's almost an understatement. One number: 20 percent of 13- and 14-year-olds say they know friends who have been kicked, hit, slapped or punched by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
For more, just click the monitor.
Katie Couric's Notebook: Teen Violence
A survey out today, found some "horrors" in teen dating.
Video: That's almost an understatement. One number: 20 percent of 13- and 14-year-olds say they know friends who have been kicked, hit, slapped or punched by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
For more, just click the monitor.
July 8, 2008 5:09 PM 
Kelly Wallace is a CBS News Correspondent based in New York.
As a mother of two children under 2 ½, I find myself gravitating towards those stories that could impact my little girls when they grow up. Tonight’s report on The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is one of those stories.
A new survey on teen dating violence and abuse signals what may be a worrisome trend – one in five 13 to 14 year olds say their friends have been punched, kicked, hit or slapped by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Nearly half of all tweens, kids from 11 to 14, say their friends have been verbally abused in a relationship. First, I don’t know about you, but when I was 11 or 12, I was still playing school, not dating. Secondly, it is troubling, especially as a parent, to think how many young people appear to be victims of emotional, physical and sexual abuse in a relationship. Think of the impact on their lives and on society as a whole if perpetrators of this violence grow up and continue their abusive behaviors.
High Stakes: Teen Dating Violence
(CBS)
As a mother of two children under 2 ½, I find myself gravitating towards those stories that could impact my little girls when they grow up. Tonight’s report on The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is one of those stories.
A new survey on teen dating violence and abuse signals what may be a worrisome trend – one in five 13 to 14 year olds say their friends have been punched, kicked, hit or slapped by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Nearly half of all tweens, kids from 11 to 14, say their friends have been verbally abused in a relationship. First, I don’t know about you, but when I was 11 or 12, I was still playing school, not dating. Secondly, it is troubling, especially as a parent, to think how many young people appear to be victims of emotional, physical and sexual abuse in a relationship. Think of the impact on their lives and on society as a whole if perpetrators of this violence grow up and continue their abusive behaviors.
June 12, 2008 6:26 PM
There's been a heated debate in America for a long time about the correct approach to sex education.
Do we accept that sex happens and teach kids to be safe? Or do we steer kids away from it?
To watch my Notebook, just click on the monitor.
Katie Couric's Notebook: Teen Sex
For those of us with teenage children, the words "teen" and "sex" are scary when combined.
There's been a heated debate in America for a long time about the correct approach to sex education.
Do we accept that sex happens and teach kids to be safe? Or do we steer kids away from it?
To watch my Notebook, just click on the monitor.
May 29, 2008 6:23 PM
Most teenage girls report they've been sexually harassed at school, on the playing field … or at home. In a study 90 percent of teen girls say they've been harassed at least once. What's most disturbing? Click on the video monitor for more.
Katie Couric's Notebook: Teens And Sexual Harassment
A new study on teens and sexual harassment should give every parent pause.
Most teenage girls report they've been sexually harassed at school, on the playing field … or at home. In a study 90 percent of teen girls say they've been harassed at least once. What's most disturbing? Click on the video monitor for more.
March 12, 2008 5:49 PM
More shocking still: Fully half of girls between the ages of 14 and 19 say they've had sex.
It's a topic that deserves attention, and discussion. So click on my notebook to get started.
Katie Couric's Notebook: Teens & Sex
Anyone who heard the news couldn't help but be shocked: According to the CDC, one in four teenage girls in America has a sexually transmitted disease, or STD.
More shocking still: Fully half of girls between the ages of 14 and 19 say they've had sex.
It's a topic that deserves attention, and discussion. So click on my notebook to get started.
Author Thomas Friedman on Obama's Afghanistan plan and the war on terror.
