Youth

[According to Pew Research] Most teenagers in the U.S. — 74% — said not having their phones often or sometimes makes them feel happy. Similarly, 72% said it’s peaceful to be phone-less. More than a third noted that they spend too much time on their smartphones, and many in that group reported cutting back on their usage. “Teens who report spending too much time on social media and smartphones are especially likely to report cutting back on each,” the report reads. “For instance, roughly 6 in 10 teens who say they are on social media too much say they have cut back.” The participants also acknowledged the benefits of being born in the digital age: 69% said smartphones make it easier to pursue hobbies and interests; 65% said the devices help them be creative; and 45% said they’ve made it easier for youth to do well in school. 

NPR - Nearly 4 million U.S. college students are raising kids while getting a degree, and more than a third of those attend community colleges. Many have incomes at or near the poverty line, which means they’re eligible for federally-funded Head Start child care programs. But they may not know that or have a convenient way to access them. A new initiative from the Association of Community College Trustees and the National Head Start Association aims to bring more such facilities to campuses across the country — to the benefit of kids, parents and child care workers.