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YR Media A national network of young journalists and artists creating content for this generation.
Special Series

YR Media

A national network of young journalists and artists creating content for this generation.

Wednesday

High Schools Struggle To Tackle Safety On The Football Field

Football practice at Castro Valley High School in California. Proper hitting technique requires players to keep their heads up to prevent neck injuries and concussions. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

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Brett Myers/Youth Radio

High Schools Struggle To Tackle Safety On The Football Field

YR Media

More than 1 million high school boys play football in the U.S. With a growing body of evidence linking the sport with chronic brain injury, some schools are trying to change how teams play and practice — but they have a long way to go.

High Schools Struggle To Tackle Safety On The Football Field

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Tuesday

Puberty Is Coming Earlier, But That Doesn't Mean Sex Ed Is

A growing number of children are entering puberty at younger ages — sometimes as young as 6 or 7. But in many schools, sex education classes don't begin before the fifth grade. Cuneyt Hizal/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Cuneyt Hizal/iStockphoto.com

Puberty Is Coming Earlier, But That Doesn't Mean Sex Ed Is

YR Media

Scientists are still trying to understand why more children are reaching puberty earlier than previous generations. Whatever the cause, many young people find they have questions about their changing bodies long before their teachers broach the topic.

Puberty Is Coming Earlier, But That Doesn't Mean Sex Ed Is

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Friday

Failing Students Get 'Wired' For Success At Georgia Factory

YR Media

An electric wire factory in western Georgia is staffed almost entirely by teenagers. They are there because of a partnership between a local company, Southwire, and the Carroll County school system. They teamed up six years ago to try to reduce the high school dropout rate.

Failing Students Get 'Wired' For Success At Georgia Factory

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Monday

Wednesday

Why Millennials Are Ditching Cars And Redefining Ownership

Zach Brown's preferred mode of transportation is his skateboard. Brown, 27, is an artist and actor who doesn't own a car. Courtesy of Zach Brown hide caption

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Courtesy of Zach Brown

Millennials and The Changing Car Culture

Why Millennials Are Ditching Cars And Redefining Ownership

YR Media

The Internet and file sharing have transformed how young people think about possessing music, art, books — even cars. As the millennial generation questions ownership of nearly everything, they are opting to spend money on experiences. And car companies are left scratching their heads.

Why Millennials Are Ditching Cars And Redefining Ownership

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Thursday

Teens Use Twitter To Thumb Rides

Teenagers turn to their phones and social media to find rides. Tanggineka Hall/Youth Radio hide caption

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Tanggineka Hall/Youth Radio

All Tech Considered

Teens Use Twitter To Thumb Rides

YR Media

Need a ride to the party or the concert? Instead of making endless phone calls, these days teens turn to social media to arrange transportation. It's called ridesharing, a form of cyber-hitchhiking used by a generation that isn't rushing to get a driver's license or dream car.

Teens Use Twitter To Thumb Rides

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Tuesday

Coming Of Age In The Era Of Oscar Grant And Trayvon Martin

In the aftermath of the George Zimmerman verdict, a Youth Radio reporter talks about his coming of age as a young black man in Oakland, where violence has been the backdrop to his life.

Coming Of Age In The Era Of Oscar Grant And Trayvon Martin

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Monday

Covering Pop Hits On YouTube Is Starting To Pay
Courtesy of the artist

The Record

Covering Pop Hits On YouTube Is Starting To Pay

Turnstyle

Now that YouTube runs advertising on videos of cover songs, musicians like Tyler Ward are working with agencies to negotiate higher shares of that revenue.

Covering Pop Hits On YouTube Is Starting To Pay

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Wednesday

SnapChat App Destroys Photos Seconds After Sending

A photo app that delivers images meant to disappear once viewed has some parents and schools concerned. Snapchat moves over 100 million images a day — but critics say some of that might be sexual in nature. Youth Radio's Sunday Simon uses Snapchat, and reports on how her circle of friends views the controversy.

SnapChat App Destroys Photos Seconds After Sending

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Wednesday

Do Parents Really Know What Their Kids Are Eating?

Donta Jackson's snack of choice is a bag of Skittles. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

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Brett Myers/Youth Radio

The Salt

Do Parents Really Know What Their Kids Are Eating?

YR Media

Most parents think that their kids eat healthfully. But in reality, they may not know much about their kids' eating habits, especially as their children get older. Many kids don't talk to their parents about what they eat, and sneak unhealthy snacks after school.

Do Parents Really Know What Their Kids Are Eating?

Listen · 5:09
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Monday

Lockdowns The Norm For Schools With Frequent Threats

Even before the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., schools have long tried to figure out how to prepare and respond in the event of a shooter on campus. Youth Radio reporter Robyn Gee reports from the Bay Area on what lockdowns mean, and what they feel like to kids.

Lockdowns The Norm For Schools With Frequent Threats

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Thursday

Opinion

Commentary: 'I Just Wish Guns Were Harder To Come By'

Youth Radio's Davina La'Shay shares her unwanted but intimate relationship with guns in her home city of Oakland and how she wants that to change it.

Commentary: 'I Just Wish Guns Were Harder To Come By'

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Tuesday

Monday

Teen Debaters Parse Candidates' Style And Substance

Young debaters at the Bay Area Urban Debate League in Oakland, Calif., say that there are a lot of differences between the way that they debate the issues and what they see the presidential candidates doing on debate nights. Jenny Bolario/YouthRadio for NPR hide caption

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Jenny Bolario/YouthRadio for NPR

Teen Debaters Parse Candidates' Style And Substance

Teen debaters can learn a lot from watching the presidential debates, gleaning lessons from politicians who've been coached by the best. They can also learn a lot about what not to do.

Teen Debaters Parse Candidates' Style And Substance

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Thursday

Youth Fervor High At DNC, But Lagging Behind 2008

Alejandra Salinas, president of the College Democrats of America, says the group's numbers have been growing in key states like Florida and Ohio. Brett Myers/Youth Radio for NPR hide caption

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Brett Myers/Youth Radio for NPR

Youth Fervor High At DNC, But Lagging Behind 2008

President Obama drew strong support from the youth vote in 2008. This election season, analysts say enthusiasm for the president has declined. While young adults are visible at the Democratic National Convention, some young people acknowledge apathy among their peers.

Youth Fervor High At DNC, But Lagging Behind 2008

Listen · 4:31
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