How to take control of your kids’ screen time?

The issue of the need for time control spent by a child at the screen of a smartphone, tablet and other electronic devices is so serious that it is raised at the government level. The US Department of Health officially recommended that parents monitor their child, allowing a preschooler to use gadgets no more than 40 minutes a day, and a teenager no more than 2 hours. In Taiwan, China and South Korea, the situation is more serious: adults who are not able to limit the screen time of children are subject to a fine! However, the problem still exists.

Is parental control really necessary?

Whether we like it or not, electronic devices today are an objective reality. It is possible to hide a son or daughter from them only somewhere in Alaska or in the mountains of Tibet, because even not the most wealthy family in our time tries to buy at least a simple children’s phone so that the child stays in touch, has the opportunity to communicate with friends on social networks, download educational and entertainment applications.

And there is nothing to worry about, as long as parents are able to safe control their child’s activities in cyberspace: set a reasonable app time limit, do not allow disruption of the daily routine, and take measures to protect children from the dangers of the virtual world.

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It’s not rare as you think for a parent to deny their child’s abuse

By Teresa Huizar

The recently released Netflix series on the Menendez brothers reignited debate over whether a parent would overlook their child’s abuse at the hands of their spouse.

The sad truth is that these sorts of cases are far from unique or even uncommon.

A parent faced with the abusive conduct of a partner, family member, or friend must confront the unthinkable — harm to their child and the worst possible betrayal committed by someone they perhaps considered to be their life partner, better half, or best friend. Parents should know that initial feelings of confusion, or even shocked disbelief, are not unusual.

But parents should also know that the decisions made in the immediate aftermath of such a revelation will have a lifelong impact. Rates of depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide are all significantly higher for victims of child sexual assault. A child’s trauma is only compounded if a trusted adult denies or minimizes the abuse.

To protect their child, parents don’t need to immediately believe every word they say. But they need to report the abuse, separate their child from the offender, and suspend their own disbelief through the course of an investigation.

Often, those actions give parents the time they need to process the reality of what happened. But there are other pitfalls that may hinder a parent from supporting a child. It’s important for every parent and child advocate to be aware of these barriers and work to overcome them.

If the offender is the primary breadwinner in the family, the non-offending parent may panic over housing and financial stability. This is especially true in circumstances where the parent lacks a solid support system. Can they rely on friends or family? Or are they dependent on their child’s abuser?

Often, concerns about public image arise. A non-offending parent may worry at the prospect of losing their social and professional circles.

Experiencing child sexual abuse is a devastating trauma. And while a parent experiences their own form of psychological trauma upon learning their child was abused, the obligation to protect their child must always come first. The good news is that help is available for families navigating this excruciating time.

Experts working at Children’s Advocacy Centers nationwide play a pivotal role in ensuring that abused children and their caregivers receive the support they need. Professionals at these centers provide therapy, medical care, and liaising with police — but also advice, like how to get the offender removed from the home and how to tell family, friends, or teachers about what happened.

According to the CDC, an estimated one in four girls and one in 20 boys experience child sexual abuse. Its prevalence is believed to be higher because children often wait years to report abuse. About 30% of victims have been sexually abused by a family member, while roughly 90% know their abuser in some way. Parents everywhere should take note, listen, and learn.

A child’s disclosure of abuse is shocking, disturbing, and life-changing. But supporting your child from the start is always the right thing to do.

Teresa Huizar is CEO of Washington, D.C.-based National Children’s Alliance (NCA), the nation’s network of nearly 1,000 Children’s Advocacy Centers, providing justice and healing through services to child victims of abuse and their families.

5 Qualities of a Reliable Accountant

Accounting is a pillar if you seek to run your business effectively. Also known as bookkeeping, accounting is the measure and survey of the financial status of a business. The data collected is, in turn, used to make essential business decisions.

Accounting is a massive task and, as such requires, accuracy and efficiency. The people handed the power to do this task are accountants. Your accountant should be someone adept in finances and reliable. Thus, finding a professional accountant or a firm such as Walker Hill Accountants is vital. It’s not all about educational qualifications; here are some crucial qualities of reliable accountants:

Ethical and Trustworthy

Your accountant has to be ethical, diplomatic, and possess integrity. The ability to do the right thing and be open in his activities promotes trust and reliability. The backbone of the business is its accounts, precious information.

Accountants should always keep the information confidential and secure. A good sense of ethics and integrity also breeds collaboration and a healthy work environment. An essential character when it comes to working in a team or gaining a client’s trust.

Highly Skilled and Knowledgeable

Accounting is broad and an aspect involved in different business industries. The foundations of accounting could be similar, but some industries require specific specialties. Your accountant should know the requirements and needs of your business sector. Finding an accountant committed to a particular industry is more attractive. It shows stability and interest to succeed in the business’s niche.

Accurate and Detail-Oriented

Numbers and mathematics dominate accounting, and that comes with its pressures when it’s about money. Your accountant should be calm, focused on details, and sharp when dealing with your finances. Slight mistakes or faults could cost your business financial losses. Ensure your accountant is accurate and always double-checks their work.

Flexible and Adaptive

In business, changes can happen very fast. Your accountant should always be ready for market changes and quick to counter them. The flexible nature suits your business to transition through changes smoothly.

Accountants must be on top of trends in the industries and adapt company strategy effectively. Flexibility is also characterized by an accountant’s need to learn. Your accountant should always look to add to his abilities and acquire proper certifications.

Often ignored, another trait of adaptable accountants is their creative ability. Good accountants are quick and innovative in finding new solutions and ideas to arising issues.

Organized and Accountable

Accountants are essentially bookkeepers. They must ensure that any data and paperwork is well filed and organized. Organizational skills help get the most of productivity and instill a smooth work-system flow. It’s also easier to retrieve data and numbers when they are structured well.

The ability to own up to mistakes and work towards not repeating them is key. An accountable accountant is unlikely to be reckless in his work. Accountability breeds reliability and trustworthiness.

Accountants play an essential role in businesses. Having an adept, creative and knowledgeable accountant helps organizations soar. Watch out for the above qualities in search of a reliable accountant.

For further information about accounting firms make sure you check out Liston Newton Advisory.

Understanding Your Legal Rights After Emergency Room Errors

In the fast-paced environment of an emergency room, errors can unfortunately occur, and when they do, the consequences can be severe. Mistakes could range from misdiagnosis to surgical errors or even overlooked symptoms leading to complications. But what does one do when they’ve been at the receiving end of such an error? Seeking legal guidance for emergency room mistakes is essential, not only to pursue justice but also to help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Recognizing Emergency Room Errors

Medicine, a field that thrives on precision, can sometimes bear witness to significant errors even in high-stakes environments such as the emergency room. Recognizing these errors is the first step towards error prevention and ultimately, improved patient outcomes.

Patient awareness plays an essential role in identifying these errors. By understanding the procedures being administered and asking pertinent questions about their care, patients can help guarantee the accuracy of their treatment. This includes the clarity of communication with healthcare providers, understanding the purpose of prescribed medications, and familiarizing oneself with the potential side effects or complications of treatments.

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Navigating Brain Injury Claims in San Diego: A Comprehensive Guide

The complexities of traversing brain injury claims in San Diego are numerous, involving intricate personal injury laws, careful documentation of injuries, and the challenging task of establishing negligence. It is a terrain that demands the proficiency of an experienced attorney to negotiate with insurance companies, and yet, the journey does not end there. The importance of a robust support network and clear communication with legal representatives cannot be overstated. This extensive guide aims to shed light on the pathway to a successful brain injury claim, leaving you better equipped to maximize your compensation.

Understanding Brain Injuries

The complexity of brain injuries, an intricate tapestry of medical, psychological, and legal threads, necessitates a deep understanding. Brain injuries are diverse, ranging from traumatic brain injuries, concussions, to acquired brain injuries such as stroke or tumor. Timely symptoms assessment is essential for determining treatment options. Symptoms may include cognitive and physical impairments, emotional instability, and even personality changes.

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Don’t Answer Calls From These Area Codes

In 2023, 21% of Americans lost $25.4 billion in phone scams. Despite the year-on-year decrease in fraud losses, this is still an alarming finding, considering that one in five among us is at risk of losing money to a deceptive caller.

From one-ring calls that connect you to premium numbers to impersonation swindles that siphon money by mimicking well-known organizations, the elaborate schemes you could encounter via a phone call can take a variety of formats.

And they are not just limited to financial fraud; Some are designed to steal identifiable data, such as social security numbers, tax IDs, and online account passwords.

However, according to experts, you can identify many of these shady calls by watching out for certain area codes.

Area Codes Frequently Associated With Phone Scams

Some three-digit area codes can be misleading at first glance. Despite resembling US codes, they could actually originate from a faraway country.

Take one-ring calls, for example. These are typically initiated from overseas using numbers with area codes that may seem familiar to an American resident. If you assume they are local and call back, you could end up connecting to international numbers that bill you at a premium rate for every minute you stay on the phone.

To protect yourself from such fraudulent schemes, it is important to recognize and avoid calls from numbers bearing specific area codes that could potentially get you into trouble.

Here are the codes often connected to phone scams.

232 and 268

These might seem like typical US 2XX area codes. But, in fact, 232 is the country code of Sierra Leone, while +1 268 is used by Antigua and Barbuda.

441 and 473

The code +1 441 is assigned to Bermuda and +1 473 to Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.

649 and 664

These belong to Turks and Caicos and Montserrat—both part of the British Overseas Territory using the +1 country code.

767 and 784

The islands of Dominica and St. Vincent use these area codes. Calls originating from Grenadines can also have +1 784.

809, 829, and 849

All these belong to the Dominican Republic.

Other 8XX area codes to keep an eye on are 868 and 876. The first is used by Trinidad and Tobago, while the second code is from Jamaica.

Keep in mind that there are other three-digit codes that could be just as misleading as what we have listed above.

The easiest way to identify an unsafe area code is by researching it online.

For instance, if you receive a call from a 2XX number, look for it on Nuwber’s US 2XX area code list. If it doesn’t appear there, chances are you are dealing with an international call, likely generated by a fraudster based overseas.

But, verifying area codes will only solve half of the problem. Today, spoofing technology allows malicious actors to disguise their numbers to resemble those from your local area. SIM swapping is also common, which enables criminals to contact you using numbers you already know.

So, how can you remain safe from all these fraudulent practices? We discuss it next.

Identifying Phone Fraud to Mitigate Threats

Despite their diverse nature, a majority of call scams display similar patterns. By understanding these, you can easily identify deceptive attempts and take relevant measures to protect yourself.

Typical signs of a scam include:

One-Ring Calls

Scammers usually deploy these to get you to call them back.

This could serve one of two purposes—to charge you for a premium international call or to check whether your number is in use so fraudsters could target you for their rackets.

Either way, if you ever receive a one-ring call, it is best to ignore it.

Automated Calls

By providing a voice response or pressing specific phone keys to respond to automated instructions, you are letting bad actors know that your phone number is in active use.

Once they confirm there is a real human on the other side, they will start directing spam and scam-related calls to you. Some can also use your voice recordings for deepfake and spoofing-based unlawful activities.

Of course, this doesn’t mean all robocalls are malicious. Legitimate organizations use them, too, to provide a variety of services.

So, answering system-generated calls could be important at times. But, to avoid possible threats to your safety, practice extra caution when following automated instructions.

Undue Urgency

A sense of urgency can prevent you from effectively assessing a situation and making sound decisions.

Scammers know this well. This is why they would often pressure their victims to act or respond quickly.

For instance, an IRS imposter might threaten to call the police unless you immediately pay up what they claim is a pending tax payment. Similarly, a shady telemarketer could push you into an impulsive purchase by offering a limited-time discount.

Naturally, avoiding hasty decisions is critical for preventing such schemes.

Questionable Payment Methods

When it comes to financial transactions, fraudsters prefer gift cards, cryptocurrency, and similarly unusual methods. These are difficult to trace after they are processed, and you have little chance of recovering your losses. Even wire transfers and prepaid debit cards fall under this category.

So, proceed with caution when a caller insists you use any of these transaction methods for regular payments that could be done using a credit card.

Requests for Personal Data

Be suspicious of anyone asking for identifiable data over the phone. Remember, to ensure customer safety, legitimate organizations would never request personal information, such as your SSN, date of birth, or account credentials, via phone calls.

Anyone who does is likely an imposter.

Vague Information

Bad actors who impersonate reputed entities or familiar individuals could be surprisingly convincing. However, if you pay close attention and probe with the right questions, you can easily detect gaps or discrepancies in their stories.

Final Thoughts

Fraudulent calls can take multiple formats. However, by learning to identify common red flags, you can effectively prevent or minimize their threats.

As a general rule of thumb, let the call go unanswered if you are unsure who is calling. You can always reverse search the phone number to learn more about the caller before returning their call. Installing a caller ID app is another option to identify numbers so you could skip unwanted calls.

Five Things To Know: China warns U.S. is ‘playing with fire’…

Monday, December 23, 2024

China warns U.S. is ‘playing with fire’, Australia approves extradition of former Marine over alleged training of Chinese military pilots, and U.S. military helps Santa deliver Xmas presents to indigenous Alaskan village.

1. The Chinese government protested Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is “playing with fire.” U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday authorized the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and in military education and training for Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department said Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged the U.S. to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

2. Former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan will be extradited from Australia to the United States over allegations that he illegally trained Chinese aviators. Australia’s Attorney General Mark Dreyfus approved the extradition on Monday, ending the Boston-born 55-year-old’s nearly two-year attempt to avoid being returned to the U.S. Duggan, who served in the Marines for 12 years before immigrating to Australia and giving up his U.S. citizenship, has been in a maximum-security prison since he was arrested in 2022 at his family home in the state of New South Wales. He is the father of six children.

3. Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Both pilots were recovered alive after ejecting from their stricken aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries. But the shootdown underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become over the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite U.S. and European military coalitions patrolling the area.

4. North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia were given fake military documents with Russian names and birthplaces, the Ukrainian military said, amid claims from Kyiv that Russia is trying to conceal the presence of foreign fighters on the battlefield. Ukraine’s special operations forces said in a statement Sunday they had killed three North Korean soldiers in Russia’s western Kursk region and seized their documents. Their military identification documents “lack all the stamps and photos, the patronymic names are given in the Russian manner, and the place of birth is signed as the Republic of Tuva,” the statement said, referring to a Russian region in southern Siberia bordering Mongolia.

5. Forget the open-air sleigh overloaded with gifts and powered by flying reindeer. Santa and Mrs. Claus this week took supersized rides to southeast Alaska in a C-17 military cargo plane and a camouflaged Humvee, as they delivered toys to the Tlingit village of Yakutat, northwest of Juneau. The visit was part of this year’s Operation Santa Claus, an outreach program of the Alaska National Guard to largely Indigenous communities in the nation’s largest state. Each year, the Guard picks a village that has suffered recent hardship — in Yakutat’s case, a massive snowfall that threatened to buckle buildings in 2022.

source The American Legion

Innovative technology transforming sports field management

The arena of sports field management is witnessing a revolution with the advent of cutting-edge technologies. These innovations are enhancing the efficiency, precision, and sustainability of maintaining sports fields. This transformation is crucial for ensuring top-notch playing conditions for athletes.

In recent years, technological advancements have significantly impacted various industries, and sports field management is no exception. These innovations are not just about maintaining aesthetics but also about improving performance and sustainability. You will find that these developments are making a substantial difference in how sports fields are managed and maintained.

Precision in field marking

One of the most significant advancements in sports field management is the introduction of automated systems for field marking. These systems utilize GPS technology to ensure that markings are accurate to the millimeter, which is essential for compliance with regulations and for enhancing game performance. Imagine a scenario where a soccer field painter utilizes such a system to achieve perfect lines every time, reducing human error and saving time.

These automated marking systems are not only improving accuracy but also significantly reducing the time and labor required for field preparation. For instance, robotic line markers can now complete tasks in a fraction of the time it would take a human crew. This efficiency allows groundskeepers to focus on other critical aspects of field maintenance, ultimately leading to better overall field quality. Moreover, these systems can store multiple field layouts, making it easy to switch between different sports or event configurations with minimal effort.

Smart irrigation systems

Water management is another critical aspect where technology is making strides. Smart irrigation systems equipped with sensors and real-time data analysis can optimize water usage, ensuring that fields remain lush without wasting resources. These systems can adjust watering schedules based on weather forecasts, soil moisture levels, and even the specific needs of different grass types.

Sustainable turf management

Sustainability in turf management has become increasingly important as environmental concerns grow. Modern technology allows for more sustainable practices by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Advanced soil analysis tools provide precise data on nutrient requirements, enabling you to apply only what is necessary and minimizing environmental impact.

Enhancing athlete performance

Lastly, the impact of these technological advancements on athlete performance cannot be overstated. Well-maintained fields contribute to fewer injuries and better game conditions, allowing athletes to perform at their best. As these technologies continue to evolve, you can expect even greater improvements in the quality and sustainability of sports fields.

Blockchain Technology in Online Casinos: How Blockchain Enhances Transparency and Security in Gaming Operations

Blockchain technology, due to the intrinsic features of decentralization, immutability, and transparency, is currently disrupting a series of industries worldwide; among them is online gaming. The following article will elaborate on the applications of blockchain in an effort to increase security and transparency levels within the online casino industry. For those looking to experience these advancements firsthand, GGBet offers a cutting-edge online casino environment where the benefits of blockchain technology are fully utilized to ensure player security and transparent gaming experiences. Explore gg.bet/en/casino to discover a premier online gaming platform that integrates the latest in blockchain innovations.

Core Features of Blockchain

Decentralized: Blockchain runs on a decentralized-based network, compared to traditional systems, which revolutionizes the way in which casinos manage data. It eliminates any single point of failure, minimizing the possibility of data tampering.
Immutability: Records stored in a blockchain can’t ever be deleted or edited. This is what makes the results of every game and all transactions indelibly recorded, thereby disallowing any form of manipulation.
Transparency: The blockchain ledger is open to its participants. It offers unparalleled transparency whereby players are in a position to verify the outcomes of the game as being nondiscriminatory and, besides this, the payouts are prompt without third-party verification.

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Top Tips for Safe and Responsible Gambling with Cryptocurrencies

With the rise of digital currencies, more people are exploring the exciting world of gambling with cryptocurrencies. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, it’s essential to understand how to do it safely and responsibly. This article will guide you through some important tips, from choosing reputable gambling platforms to understanding the basics of cryptocurrency and managing your gambling budget effectively.