News Bites (Dec)

Japan's falling birthrates

Japan's Falling Birthrates

A recent survey of married couples in Japan under 50 found that more than a third had not had sex in the previous month. Many couples said they didn't have the energy for sex, while others said they found it boring. A study by Durex found that the average couple has sex 45 times a year, less than half the global average of 103 times.

Japan's birth rate, at 1.34 is among the lowest in the world and falls well short of the 2.07 children needed to keep the population stable. If the rate persists, demographers warn that Japan's overall population will drop to 95 million by 2050 from its 2006 peak of 127.7 million.

Earlier this month the crisis prompted Keidanren, Japan's biggest business organisation, to implore its 1,600 member companies to allow married employees to spend more time at home.

Enlarged pupils in children could be a sign of glaucoma

Doctors said glaucoma – an eye disease – is the result of fluid pressure building up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve. One in every 10,000 children across the world suffers from the disease. Among those stricken, one in three is born with the condition. Symptoms, parents should out for are as follows.

- Large eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Cloudy eyes
- Watering eyes
- Poor vision and jerky eyes (Nystagmus)
- Squint

Surviving Nepalese twin Jamuna doing well after operation

Surviving Nepalese twin Jamuna Shresta is doing well after a major operation at Singapore's East Shore Hospital. We remember Jamuna and her conjoined sister, Ganga, (who died in July this year), being separated in an operation here seven years ago. Jamuna is 8 years old, but weighs only 20 kg due to her spinal problems. Her psychomotor skills are also affected. After her spine is fixed, Jamuna will undergo another operation to insert a tissue-engineered skull. She currently has no bone from the ear upwards which leaves her brain very vulnerable.

Internet Safety Tips

Internet safety tips

Young children are increasingly exposed to threats such as cyber bullying, addiction and sexual predators. James Fang, General Manager, Trend Micro APAC, has some tips for parents.

Instead of placing your child’s’ computer in an open space, it is now possible to give your child his or her freedom while remotely protecting the computer with Trend Micro’s Home Network Protection system. This includes parental control capabilities which blocks your child from 20 categories of harmful web content while easily controlling the day and time when your child can access the Internet.

Use a security software with parental control features such as URL filtering to ensure your child does not see or access sites that you do not wish him or her to see. Even a harmless search for a “bunny” may turn up the inappropriate playboy version.

Children may share their personal details such as school or home address with their best friends as it is a sign of trust to tell each other their details at a young age. While it is important to educate your child not to disclose details to strangers, it is easier to install software which ensures Data Theft Protection. Thus, when your child unknowingly discloses his address online, the receiving party will only receive garbled text instead.

KWN

KWN

If you think news is an adult’s job, think again. Children, too, are able to come up with newsworthy bits, mix it up with good presentation and set a plate of praiseworthy journalistic attempts. Proof of this would be the recent KWN (Kid Witness News) Awards that were presented to children of various schools around the island. Graced by Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, the awards ceremony saw the future of journalism in Singapore packed into the auditorium. So what exactly is KWN? It is a global video education program supported by Panasonic, with the aim of boosting creativity and communication skills and fostering teamwork through video production by children.

Sembawang Secondary bagged the top award – KWN Top News Production with their submission entitled 'Natazsha's Diary, Cat City'. The kids compiled and came up with a story about the abandonment of cats. The irony of it? The kids detest cats in real life. Yet the thought-provoking piece they produced would lead you to think otherwise. 'Journalist of Tomorrow', went to Secondary 2 student, Sharlene Ng of St Anthony's Canossian Secondary School. Nominated with a fellow school mate, Sharlene bagged it on grounds of diction, personality and the ease of being in front of a camera. "I've never won anything before but this is not a personal achievement. It's a team achievement," smiles Sharlene.