About.com Teen Advice

10 Quick Ways to Make Your Room Cooler

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:53:10 +0000

As a teen, having your own personal sanctuary - where you can get away from all the craziness and demands of the rest of the house - is an absolute must.

You've already got a room, but the trick is to make it feel like your own space. Which can be tricky if you've got a limited budget and not a lot of freedom to decorate.

For tips on how to do it right - and quickly - check out these ideas for decorating teenage bedrooms.

If you've got your own bedroom decorating tips, leave a comment to this post!

10 Quick Ways to Make Your Room Cooler originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 13:53:10.

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The Icky Diseases That Teens Can Get

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:15 +0000

A lot of teens totally abstain from sex, which is great, but the ones who don't aren't always being safe about it. According to Reuters, there are more cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in teens than in any other age group.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two STDs that are icky, painful and contagious. They're also totally preventable, as long as you practice safe sex and abstain until you're emotionally and intellectually ready for it.

If you're not having sex, learn all you can about safe sex so that when you're ready to have it, you'll be smart about it.

And if you're already having sex, please promise me you'll use a condom. Every single time. Okay?

The Icky Diseases That Teens Can Get originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 16:46:15.

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Teens on TV: Don't Believe Everything You See

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:26:37 +0000

Not that you need another reminder that TV isn't the same thing as reality (not counting reality TV, of course), but there's a new post up at Lemondrop that's got some warnings about the versions of high school you see on your favorite shows:

TV teens have infinite amounts of money without seeming to have jobs. Real teens? Not so lucky. (If you're looking for some cash of your own, check this list of job ideas for teens.)
TV teens wear clothes that can make them look bizarre to downright whorish (think Serena van der Woodsen), and they never seem to repeat an outfit. In the real world, teens' wardrobes don't stray that far from the ordinary - not counting the clothes on these real-life teen style stars.
TV high school cliques make no sense. Why in the world are the popular kids still hanging out with the gleeks on "Glee"? (Because it's fun to watch, that's why.) Get the real scoop on making and keeping friendships before some of that fictional nonsense starts to seep in.

(Read the whole list here!)

Teens on TV: Don't Believe Everything You See originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 18:26:37.

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What's Beauty, Anyway?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:20:09 +0000

Hey all, I wanna let you know that there's a really cool discussion going on in the Teen Advice forum called What is Beauty?? Folks are sharing their explanations of what they think beauty is (and so far none of them include fake boobs, which is a good sign).

Stop by and throw in your two cents!

What's Beauty, Anyway? originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 14:20:09.

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Today in Weird Teen News: Is Porn Worth Getting Arrested For?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:30:27 +0000

For one Florida teen, I sure hope it was.

According to the Miami Herald, a 14-year old boy broke into a middle school custodial office this weekend (causing $1,200 in damage) and watched porn on the computer for about an hour.

Unfortunately for him, it was all caught on video camera, and he was arrested the next day.

The moral of the story? Beware of security cameras.

Oh, and don't break into school to look at porn. If you're really that curious to know all about sex, check out my brand-new sex info hub. It might not show that much skin, but you're guaranteed not to get arrested.

Today in Weird Teen News: Is Porn Worth Getting Arrested For? originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 17:30:27.

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How Much Time Do You Really Spend on Facebook?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:42:06 +0000

If you're a Facebook addict like me, you're spending 125 solid hours a year on the site - the equivalent of more than five full days - according to a new study from Nielsen Online.

I don't know about you, but that number sounds low to me. Between all the thumbs-ups, status updates and games of Word Twist (I know - I'm a dork), I probably spend, like, half of my waking hours on Facebook.

To make the most of your Facebook time, be sure to check out these Facebook do's and don'ts.

You might also want to read this list of the 5 things you should never share on Facebook.

And if you want to keep up with me on Facebook, you can find me here. (This is my real profile, though I'm thinking about creating a Teen Advice fan page - if I did, would you join?)

How many full days a year do you think you spend on Facebook, or MySpace, or your favorite social network?

How Much Time Do You Really Spend on Facebook? originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 13:42:06.

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Why Your Parents Don't Want You to Watch Gossip Girl

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:24:13 +0000

This week's Gossip Girl is going to be awfully controversial. According to previews, three of the characters are going to have a threesome (or "3SOME," as the ads are spelling it).

Now that I've told you that, you're probably more likely to watch it than before, to the bane of parents everywhere - including the Parents Television Council. They're worried that showing a graphic sex act that's usually only seen in adult movies will change what teens think of as normal sexual behavior, which could be "emotionally and psychologically damaging."

Sexy teen television and movies have always been around (from Madonna videos to American Pie). It's hard to imagine Blair Waldorf, Chuck Bass and the gang changing much about what teens think about sex.

If there is a rise in unsafe sex or teen threesomes after Monday's Gossip Girl episode, you can be sure it's 'cause of foolish people who don't bother to learn the facts: namely, that any kind of sex other than safe sex is idiotic, and that no one's having threesomes other than fictional prep school students with nothing better to do.

The Most Important Things Teens Should Know About Sex
Safe Sex 101
Sex: Do You Know Your Stuff?

Why Your Parents Don't Want You to Watch Gossip Girl originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 14:24:13.
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How Do You Make New Friends?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:02:20 +0000

This week in the Teen Advice Forum, Lil_J asked a question about how to make friends:

Well i need help in making new friends in high school but the bad thing is im shy. i need advice to help me to boost my confidence in meeting new people, having a great friendship, and even having a new best friend???

I gave him some friend-making advice, but I bet he'd love to hear from you. Stop by the forum and tell him what you think.

And if you've got your own question about friends, dating, parents or anything else, be sure to ask it in the forum and we'll come help you out!

How Do You Make New Friends? originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 17:02:20.

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Drink, Drink, Drink Till Your Brain Disappears

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:03:26 +0000

A new study out of Australia found that, as dumb as it is, some teens are drinking so much at once that they're blacking out. More than a quarter of 15-year olds down under say it's happened to them.

Not only can blackouts cause permanent brain damage (especially in teens), they also erase big chunks of your memory, making you forget all the dumb stuff you did the night before because you were too drunk to control yourself.

Plus, there's an 800% greater chance that someone will doodle stuff on your face and upload a picture of it to Facebook.

If you go to a party, it's really not that hard to make it through the night without drinking alcohol. Read these tips on how to do it in style.

And if you insist on drinking, please promise me you'll switch to soda as soon as you feel a little buzzed. It's way more mature than losing your control (or your consciousness). And I really want you to make it to your 20's with all of your brain intact.

Drink, Drink, Drink Till Your Brain Disappears originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 16:03:26.

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Why You Might Get Swine Flu This Season

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:03:30 +0000

You know all those news stories and warnings you've been hearing about the H1N1 virus, or swine flu? If you're a teen, you'd better listen up.

Unlike other flu strains that hit very young and very old people the worst, the H1N1 has been going after kids and teens the most ravenously. Why? Probably because their immune systems aren't as built-up as adults.

The good news is, most cases of H1N1 aren't much worse than a bad flu, and if you do catch it, it can usually be treated with pain relievers, cold medicine, clear liquids and lots of rest.

Still, catching the flu is no fun. So if you're not lucky enough to get one of the limited number of vaccine shots going around, take extra precautions this season: wash your hands regularly; avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose; and steer clear of anyone with flu symptoms.

For more about the H1N1 - everything you need to know, really - check these swine flu FAQ's.

Why You Might Get Swine Flu This Season originally appeared on About.com Teen Advice on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 14:03:30.

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