Youth Media: Summer Edition

Youth Media: Summer Edition

As families across the U.S. are wrapping up the weekday barbeques and planning ahead for packed lunches and school open houses, we’re turning our attention to what’s important to know about youth…

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It Can't Be Back to School Season Already, Can it?

It Can't Be Back to School Season Already, Can it?

Mary McIlrath

Sorry, kids, we’re afraid it’s true.  Amazon Prime Day(s) start July 15, and that means parents are looking for bargains to get you out of the swimming pool and back into the schoolhouse.  …

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School’s Out! Now What?

School’s Out! Now What?

Mary McIlrath

It might be unconventional, but we’re recommending the first stop be a check-up at the doctor’s office.  Beyond the obvious physical benefits of preventative care, doctors are getting involved…

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Congratulations, High School Graduates of 2019!  Look How Far You’ve Come

Congratulations, High School Graduates of 2019!  Look How Far You’ve Come

Mary McIlrath

In May of 2019, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that high school graduation rates in the U.S. hit a new high in the 2016-2017 school year (most recent year available), up…

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When We Talk About Crazy Teen Challenges, What Does That Say About Us?

When We Talk About Crazy Teen Challenges, What Does That Say About Us?

Mary McIlrath

You probably heard about the 2018 “Tide Pods Challenge” phenomenon. Headlines screamed about the travesty sweeping the nation, in which teens declared that the brightly-colored detergent packets…

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YouthBeat®’s Take on Toy Fair 2019

YouthBeat®’s Take on Toy Fair 2019

Mary McIlrath

It was a whiz-bang dynamic week at the annual unveiling of thousands of new toys for youth, families, and adults. YouthBeat® sees a couple of other pundits focusing on pushing the technology forward…

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Finding Your Generational Identity

Finding Your Generational Identity

Mary McIlrath

Here at YouthBeat®, we’ve been surveying youth for more than a decade.  We had Millennials in our data set when they were teens, and we have Generation Z now.  This gives us the unique ability to…

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A Comment on Teens and Religion from YouthBeat®

A Comment on Teens and Religion from YouthBeat®

Mary McIlrath

In December, Donna Freitas wrote a compelling essay for the New York Times. The topic? The relative lack of presence of religion in young adult (YA) literature, and the taboo of presenting characters…

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