Does social media actually harm teens? The rates of suicide, anxiety and depression among young people have been on the rise since the 80s. Seattle Public Schools thinks social media is to blame… at least, in part. They and Kent school district are suing major tech companies over the role they may play in worsening mental health of youth who use their services. Today we're asking: What does science tell us about the connection between mental health ans cthe science behind social media and mental health… and we couldn’t have found a better person to ask than Lucia (loo-SEE-ah) Magis (MAY-jis) Wineberg (WINE-berg). She’s an Assistant Professor of psychology at the University of Washington AND she leads the International Adolescent Connection and Technology lab Paige Browning Play AudioListen 15 mins
In the face of harassment, Sylvia O'Stayformore reads on Drag Queen story hours have been targeted across the country, including in Renton last month. Hans Anderson Play AudioListen 16 mins
Seattle, Kent schools' lawsuits against social media giants have a 'scientific basis,' expert says Seattle Public Schools and the Kent School District are suing social media companies for the role their platforms have played in a youth mental health crisis. KUOW spoke to a behavioral health expert who says the scientific basis of the complaints is sound. Paige Browning Play AudioListen 5 mins
Why is a convicted sex offender with false credentials running a King County-funded youth program? As Saleem Robinson tells it, he used to run the streets of Chicago. Now he runs a nonprofit in Seattle for vulnerable young people. Ann Dornfeld Play AudioListen 6 mins
Starting school can be hard, especially as a Ukrainian refugee who doesn't speak English Many newly arrived Ukrainian refugee children are starting American school this fall. Some of these children are not fluent in English when classes start. Sabrina is 12 years old. She is an artist who loves painting landscapes. Sabrina is among over 200 Ukrainians who settled in Washington State this year. They fled fled Russia's war. Sabrina and her family arrived in King County a few weeks before the last school year ended. Natalie Akane Newcomb Play AudioListen 5 mins
King County youth navigate mental health together at Teen Link Every new school year brings with it some of the same anxieties for both students and their parents — although there may be some new stressors this year. Angela King Play AudioListen 6 mins
What WA families need to know now that federal universal free lunch is gone During the height of the pandemic, a federal school lunch program provided free lunch to all students, regardless of their economic status. That program is no more. Angela King Play AudioListen 7 mins
Kent teachers threaten strike if contract not reached Wednesday Kent School District and its teachers union have until Wednesday night to reach a contract for school to start on time Thursday. Ann Dornfeld
WA charter school under audit for 'improper receipt' of state funding The state’s charter school oversight agency said Impact Public Schools improperly received approximately $790,000 in state funds when it enrolled more than 60 four-year-olds in kindergarten. The agency referred the matter to the State Auditor’s Office for possible repayment. Ann Dornfeld
Legislator calls for fraud audit of state's largest charter school chain State Rep. Gerry Pollet has called for fraud and performance audits of Impact Public Schools, Washington’s largest charter school chain, following a KUOW investigation that found scant services for students learning English and a lack of support for students with disabilities. Ann Dornfeld
