Screen addiction in China

December 5, 2024 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Cleo Newton

Technology has been advancing faster than ever in the last couple years. With these advancements, the amount of teenagers developing screen addiction has also gone up. Because of this, there have been many policies set and many discussions taken place.

Two Israeli directors filmed a documentary called ‘Web Junkie’, this documentary talked about the screen addiction. They tell us that China is the first country to recognize screen addiction as a medical issue. According to the report, these teenagers spend an average of 6 hours online playing games a day. The parents of these children have tried many different things to try and help their kids with their screen addiction but it never got better. In the end, they sent their kids to a rehab center for screen addiction.

To help teenagers with screen addiction, China has opened over four thousand rehab centers managed by the military. Medical treatment, family therapy, and military exercises are included when treating internet addiction. Sending kids to these rehab facilities costs a lot of money. Every month costs double the average monthly salary. Many households can’t afford this and have to take out loans to meet these expenses.

According to the press (according to my Chinese packet), teenagers have received abuse in forms such as getting shocked or being hit in these rehab centers. This impacts their physical and mental health negatively, making them scared and hate more. As a result of this, some teens who come out of these rehab centers have either killed themselves or others.

There are reasons for the development of screen addiction though, the first is China’s one child policy (which ended in 2016), and the second is the strict education system. Because most families only have one child, that child feels a lot of pressure to “honor” their family. It’s typically the family that places this pressure on the kids to do good. On top of this, some of the kid’s parents fight a lot at home. I think that neglectful parents can also cause screen addiction as well as abusive parents. Turning to video games has become a way to escape the burdens of life for many people.

As technology continues to advance and be used in day to day life, it becomes harder and harder to avoid the screens. I hope after reading this that you’ve learned more about screen addiction and its causes.

Local, Science/Nature

Minnesotan winter activities and climate change

December 5, 2024 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Gabriella Bell

Minnesota is most commonly recognized for its drastic weather changes, harsh summers and winters alike. It’s also known for its diverse range of winter activities such as hockey, skiing, ice fishing, and more. Although in order to partake in these recreational hobbies, the most important factor is for there to be cold enough weather, and most importantly snowfall. In Minnesota this would normally never be much of a problem, however as of recent years, data is demonstrating that climate change is having a severe impact on not only these winter sports, but also local wildlife as well as our environment.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, worldwide climate change is also leading to a warmer Minnesota. Their stats represent an increase in the daily minimum temperature of 7.3f in the northern regions of Minnesota, 6f in the central regions, and 4.9f in the southern regions (per data from 1895-2021).

Another major impact that climate change has is in our ice cover, with an observed 10-15 days less as of these past few years. With these changes, it is ultimately impacting Minnesota fish as well, considering they are losing necessary days of ice cover, which protect them from the harsh winters. With the lack of ice, it is also contributing to the inability to begin and prolong ice fishing, ice skating and other ice-related activities that many people participate in during our Minnesota winters. Along with this unpredictable ice cover, it’s affecting the amount of flooding that the state receives, as the ice forms and then melts soon after. It then continues to follow this repeating cycle throughout the winter months until late spring.

Another factor is the inconsistent snowfalls that have been recently scattered across the winters. One of Minnesota’s most notable aspects is their snow! Not only does this affect the ability to play certain winter sports such as skiing or snowmobiling, but it also impacts the enjoyment of participating in them as well.

Per stats from the EPA, carbon dioxide levels across the world have risen over 40% since the late 1700’s, which is what’s contributing to the immense amount of climate changes worldwide, as well as in Minnesota. Not only is this a serious issue which is affecting our environment, but Minnesota’s winters are progressively growing to be much shorter, warmer and unpredictable than ever before.

As a unified community I believe that we can make changes in our lives, even small ones, in order to begin to help the restoration and conservation of our Minnesota winters, as well as the environmental health of our world.

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Advice/How To, Travel/Food

Benefits of eating your fruits

December 5, 2024 HPSH Plaid Line Leave a comment

By: Samson Belihu

Let’s talk about common fruits you’ve hopefully eaten before, but perhaps don’t know the benefits of.

First, you should eat your apples because they are rich in fiber, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve the heart’s health. As they say, “An apple a day keeps the doctors” away.

A banana is high in potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Due to its carbohydrate content it also provides quick energy making them great for pre- or post-workout snacks. It contains dietary fiber, which helps in digestion, and it is said to contain tryptophan, which may help improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, fibers and antioxidants like flavonoids. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system, which helps fight viruses. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, and reduce skin damage, so if you’re trying to find a natural remedy to heal your skin it is suggested that using oranges can help with the healing.

Now, pineapples are also rich in vitamin C just like orange, but it also has manganese, and bromelain. Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, and blood clotting while bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain after surgery and physical injuries.

Watermelon, which is high in vitamin A and C, and contains citrulline, is also a good fruit to eat. Fun fact: The name citrulline comes from Citrullus vulgaris, the Latin term for watermelon. Watermelon is composed of 92% water, making it excellent for hydration.

In the end, you should at least try to incorporate some of these fruits into your diet, as they have numerous health benefits to offer. Personally, I try to eat some apples, bananas, and oranges at least 4 times a week, and I think you should too.

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