Do you remember those old public service announcements that asked, “It’s 10 PM, do you know where your children are?” The world has become a much more complicated place and it’s not enough now to just know where they are. You need to know what they’re doing too. From the digital world to new and dangerous drugs, they’re potentially being exposed to things you’ve never heard of.
K2, Spice, Potpourri. They may sound innocent, but they are actually street names for synthetic marijuana. One in nine high school seniors surveyed has admitted to trying them. Is your teen that one in nine? Tonya Bauer from Cyprus, Texas found out about her daughter Emily the hard way.
“I didn’t know how available it was, I didn’t know how dangerous it was.” -Tonya Bauer
#Parents are u watching #Katie? @katieshow I suggest you check it out if you have a #tween or #teen. Diving into some serious issues #drugs
— Emma Jenner (@emmaschildren) February 28, 2013
Tonya Bauer’s 17-year-old daughter, Emily, was left brain damaged and paralyzed after smoking synthetic marijuana she purchased at a local gas station. Emily’s parents took her off life support after doctors said she would never regain consciousness. Miraculously, she survived and is now on the road to recovery. Emily Bauer and her stepfather, Tommy Bryant, share their story from Tier Memorial Herman Rehabilitation and Research Center in Houston, Texas.
“I thought it was legal and it couldn’t hurt me.” -Emily Bauer
@katieshow Just heartbreaking story of #EmilyBauer
— Sara (@saraGG14) February 28, 2013
Synthetic marijuana is popular because it’s easy to obtain, but it isn’t the only dangerous substance your teen may be using to get high. “Matthew” got hooked on Molly for about five months, and sold the drug to support his own habit, which included meth and heroin. He’s asked us not to use his real name. “Matthew” has been clean for 154 days.
“Kids in high school want to party, they want to feel good.” -“Matthew”
Today’s Katie Couric show, a MUST watch for parents with tweens/teens.@katiecouricI’ll need to see this with my son when he gets home.
— Sabrina Joy (@SabrinasJoy) February 28, 2013
When kids become teenagers, they usually try to assert their independence. Today, that has become more dangerous than ever. Natalie Huff is a 20-year-old college student from New Castle, Pennsylvania who was critically injured after performing a dare known as “car surfing,” riding on the roof of a moving vehicle. Dejah Reed is a 16-year-old student from Ypsilanti, Michigan who almost lost life her life during the cinnamon challenge. Natalie’s mom, Kim Huff, and Dejah’s father, Fred Reed, also join Katie.
“I saw it all over Facebook, all over YouTube, and I thought that it would be fun.” -Dejah Reed
this episode of @katiecouric is crazy!! omg people will post anything for some “likes” or views on YouTube.
— shelby ragerღ (@shelbyrager) February 28, 2013
Seth Leach is a college student from Denver, Colorado who makes money shooting and starring in dangerous dare videos. Why does he do these stunts despite the fact they could turn deadly?
“Money, hits online, publicity, free trips.” -Seth Leach
@katiecouric @katieshow This was an incredible episode, Katie! I recorded it (as I do all of yours) and plan to make my kids watch it. Thx!
— Tiffany Cook (@cookeemomma) February 28, 2013
What is the best way to talk to your kids about drugs and other dangerous trends? A panel of experts shares their advice: Dr. Nora Volkow is the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), John Scherbenske is a DEA agent, Rosalind Wisemen is a parenting expert and Mario Armstrong is a digital lifestyle expert.
“You should open up the lines of communication and talk about these things.” -Mario Armstrong
Watching @katiecouric & just appalled at what world is doing to kids…Parents be involved, please. Know where & what your kids are doing.
— Jen Martinson (@jenchic) February 28, 2013
If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably peered over your child’s shoulder once or twice to see what he or she is texting. What you usually find is a bunch of letters that make absolutely no sense. So what does all this mumbo jumbo teen text-speak mean? Mario Armstrong knows, and he gives a crash course on how to decode your kids and their text babble.
“You’ve got to understand the letter and number combination.” -Mario Armstrong
@katiecouric @katieshow Wish teens kept more things private.With texting, tweets, FB, etc. I’m just reading what they want the world to see.
— Kim Spinks Burleson (@KSpinksBurleson) February 28, 2013
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