Screen Time Use Among U.S. Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
In today’s world, it’s not uncommon for children to be connected to their phones and laptops. Some sneak devices on their laps under the dinner table, while others are slow to respond to real conversations when they’re texting their friends. It’s a whole new world, but increased screen time might be leading to more mental health issues, according to the “Screen Time Use Among U.S. Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study” published in the Journal of the American Medical Association-Pediatrics (JAMA-Pediatrics).
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children increased screen time use due to online school, stay-at-home orders and general social isolation,” said Richard Freed, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center. “JAMA-Pediatrics recently reported that children nearly doubled their screen time use during the pandemic. Unfortunately, this increase is posing mental health risks for kids because it displaces the activities we know are helpful to children and adolescents, including quality time with family, physical activity, and engaging with their teachers and school communities.”
The cumulative effect of excessive screen time is leading to ongoing mental health issues for children.
“Children are experiencing anxiousness and stress in part because screen time has remained elevated even as pandemic restrictions are lifted,” Freed added. “It’s important for parents to understand how too much screen time can negatively impact children’s mental health, and there are ways parents can help reduce the amount of time their children spend on screens.”
Below are some tips for helping your child cut back on his or her screen time use:
- Help children and adolescents engage with the activities we know support their mental health, including time with family and physical activity, as that leaves less time for screens.
- Kids might need parent support and structure to get back into school routines, such as shutting down screens and completing homework.
- Cutting back on screen time use does not mean no screen time at all. Try setting some limits on children’s usage and work on a plan to limit the amount of time per day they are on their screens.
- Don’t allow children to have use of their screens before bedtime, which can disrupt sleep. Encourage them to read books or play quiet games instead.
- Model good behavior. Put your own screens away and show children the importance of finding other activities to occupy their time.
- Encourage children to play outdoors or take up a new hobby. Find ways to expand their in-person social interactions, such as joining a club or an after-school activity.
- Go on walks, have family game nights, start a family book club, or work on puzzles. Find other ways to keep your children occupied and engaged.
- Talk to your children about the importance of staying engaged with others and how screens prohibit them from developing the social skills they need to be successful.
- If your child continues to withdraw or seems anxious or stressed, talk about what might be happening and offer solutions to help.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics has a tool at healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan to help you create a plan for screen time.
By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department
Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction of the Crockett Area Guardrail Upgrades Project starting Monday, February 28, 2022 through late April 2022, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, weather permitting. Work will take place in the Crockett Area, along the following roadways: San Pablo Avenue, Cummings Skyway, Pomona Street, Carquinez Scenic Drive and Crockett Boulevard. The project will install upgrades to existing guardrail systems. Electronic message boards will alert drivers of scheduled roadwork and lane closures. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts during commute hours. Drivers should expect delays.
Funding for this project is provided by Gas Tax (SB1) and Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funds. More information for this project can be found at http://www.cccounty.us/pwdmap.
CONTACT: Construction Status, Carlos Melendez, 510.385.0506; Project Status, Jenna Caldwell, 925.313.2020
About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:
Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sand Bag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. To learn more about CCCPWD, please visit www.cccpublicworks.org
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“Palindrome days tend to be popular days for weddings at our office” – Acting Assistant Clerk-Recorder Wilson
By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach/Engagement Specialist, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department
The Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office is gearing up for a very special day on “Twosday,” with additional ceremonies available for the public on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. The Clerk-Recorder’s office has officiated weddings for couples on special palindrome dates in the past and traditionally, these days are very popular. A palindrome day has the same numbers in the date forward and backward.
22 ceremonies will be performed at the Contra Costa County Clerk’s office, located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
“Palindrome days tend to be popular days for weddings at our office, and our staff is getting into the spirit this year with a very special “Twosday” coming up,” Acting Assistant Clerk-Recorder Laura Wilson said. “Sticking with the theme, we opened up additional appointments for county residents so we can officiate 22 appointments and they filled up almost immediately!”
Palindrome days don’t come around very often – this one only happens once each century – and when they do, the County Clerk’s Office sees an increase in wedding ceremony appointments. The office is officiating almost double the number of ceremonies usually offered in order to accommodate interest.
As with all ceremony appointments currently being offered onsite, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office takes precautions to keep constituents and staff safe. COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Up to 5 guests may join the couple in the ceremony room.
All appointments for the “Twosday” ceremonies have been filled, and the County Clerk’s Office does not accept walk-in appointments at this time.
A marriage license must be obtained before a ceremony can be performed. Couples may purchase a license the same day as their ceremony appointment at the County Clerk’s office in Martinez. The fee for a public marriage license is $86, while a confidential license is $90. The civil marriage ceremony fee is $60.
For information about marriage license and ceremony services, go to https://www.ccclerkrec.us/ or call the office at 925-335-7900.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreBy Concord Police Department
On Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, at approximately 8:04 AM, a truck driver stopped at a red traffic signal. A Chevrolet Tahoe which was towing another vehicle pulled up beside the truck driver’s vehicle and the driver began yelling obscenities at the truck driver for stopping at the traffic signal. The driver of the Tahoe then produced a black semi-automatic handgun and yelled at the truck driver that people “get shot for driving like that” while waving the gun around in the air.
The truck driver was able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle which was located in the parking lot of nearby shopping center. As officers began arriving at that location, the suspect vehicle drove away from the parking lot and an attempt was made at conducting an enforcement stop. The driver of the suspect vehicle did not yield to police emergency equipment and continued driving onto Oak Grove Road. before eventually pulling over to the side of the roadway.
The suspect driver was detained, and a black handgun was located behind the rear seat of the vehicle. An additional .38 caliber revolver was located in the bed of the Chevrolet Tahoe. The suspect is a convicted felon and was positively identified by the victim. He was arrested, booked and later transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
Read MoreBy Brentwood Police Department
During the week of Feb. 6, 2022, while on patrol, an officer observed a vehicle driving without a rear window and expired registration. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Sand Creek Road near Highway 4, and found that the driver, Jose Garcia (Stockton) did not have a driver license. Three additional passengers in the car were without proper identification.
Garcia and two of the other passengers identified as; Alicia Saldana (Stockton) and Jasmine Fuentes (Stockton) were all found to be on active probation. The fourth occupant, Jesus Quintero-Zavala (Stockton) lied to police about his identity and was under the influence of drugs.
A search of the vehicle revealed a stun gun, burglary tools, several grams of methamphetamine and stolen property from a business in another city.
Garcia, Saldana, Fuentes, and Quintero-Zavala, were placed under arrest for several charges and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. Garcia’s vehicle was also towed from the scene.
Read MoreWalnut Creek PD assisted by San Pablo, Oakley and Antioch PD’s
By San Pablo Police Department
Thursday night, Feb. 17, 2022, SPPD assisted Walnut Creek PD in a vehicle task force assignment formed to suppress crime in participating agencies in the Contra Costa County. Officer Howes and Officer Agredano performed a proactive traffic stop on a suspicious car and through the course of their investigation they found a loaded firearm inside of the car along other gun parts to make more unserialized firearms aka Ghost guns.
The driver was arrested and taken to jail. SPPD would like to give a shout out to Oakley Police Departments and Antioch PD for their assistance.
Read MoreL.A. County Sheriff commends Pittsburg Detectives for their efforts during 7th Annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild
By Pittsburg Police Department
During the second week of February, in conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Pittsburg Police Department personnel took part in a statewide human trafficking operation. The 7th Annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is an annual multi-agency initiative that focuses on rescuing victims of human trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, and identifying and arresting their captors. Police agencies and other trafficking task forces throughout the state, including Brentwood PD joined in the operation to continue a no tolerance focus on human trafficking and sex crimes. (See related article)
This year, the Pittsburg Police Department joined with the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force and over 100 other agencies throughout California to combat Human and Sex Trafficking. This statewide Task Force is an example of how individual law enforcement agencies can work together to be more effective when they join together.
As the operation took place throughout the state, Pittsburg Police Detectives were hard at work in our community, making several arrests related to human trafficking and other crimes. In addition, several other suspects in human trafficking cases were identified, and many victims were contacted and connected with resources. These arrests are part of the over 494 arrests and 82 rescues made throughout the statewide operation. During a recent media conference by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, the great work by Pittsburg Detectives was highlighted.
We were proud to do our part in making Operation Reclaim and Rebuild a big success in Contra Costa County, and a special thank you to our law enforcement partners, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, and Community Violence Solutions for working with us.
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CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS ASSAULT SUSPECT?
Rammed her car into victim’s vehicle dragging her across the parking lot more than 150 feet
By Richmond Police Department
Richmond PD detectives are requesting our community’s assistance to identify the suspect of a violent, unprovoked attack against a mother and her young children.
On Saturday, February 5th, 2022, at approximately 12:16 PM, the victim entered the McDonald’s drive-thru at 2301 MacDonald Avenue, with her children in the car. The suspect (pictured) accused the victim of cutting in line and rammed her car into the victim’s vehicle.
When the victim got out of her car, the suspect drove directly toward the victim, striking and dragging her across the parking lot for more than 150 feet before stopping. The suspect then got out of the car and punched the victim several times as she remained on the ground, before quickly fleeing the scene.
Investigators believe this incident was an unprovoked attack upon the victim and her children. We need your help to identify this violent and dangerous suspect! If you recognize the suspect (pictured), please contact Detective O. Guzman at OGuzman@RichmondPD.net or 510-672-2493.
Read MorePart of statewide 7th Annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild which nabbed 494, rescued 82 victims
By Brentwood Police Department
Between February 6 and 12, 2022 our agency partnered with the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force (CCCHTTF) in a state-wide operation dubbed “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild.” The operation involved more than 80 federal, state, and local agencies across California who partnered with victim advocacy groups. The purpose of the operation was to safely rescue and identify sexually exploited victims; however, to also identify and apprehend suspected human traffickers. In total 494 criminal arrests were made statewide, while 74 adults and 8 juveniles were rescued from sexual exploitation. Of those 494 arrested, 201 were sex buyers and 34 were suspected traffickers.
Our local agencies focused on enforcement operations wherever the trafficking of human beings took place, from confronting the reality of sidewalk prostitution to challenging the virtual reality of the cyber world where traffickers believe they can operate anonymously using the internet. But don’t take our word for it – the results speak for themselves! CCCHTTF made a total of 28 arrests and recovered a total of 8 firearms while a total of 18 commercial sex workers were contacted and provided victim services.
While this was a great success, one of our agency’s ongoing goals is to continue our efforts to stop modern day slavery. Our partnership with CCCHTTF is an example of how individual agencies can be far more effective when they join together in a shared mission. If you or anyone you know is a victim of human trafficking, we are here for you.
For more information, you can go to humantraffickinghotline.org and contracostacoalition.org to find out more about the various forms of human trafficking and what you can do to help.
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Oakland City Council votes to certify Final EIR
By Oakland Athletics
On Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, the Oakland City Council voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for our waterfront ballpark project at Jack London Square. It follows las month’s unanimous vote by the Oakland Planning Commission recommending the council vote to certify the EIR.
This is a significant milestone for the project and comes after years of work with the City, local community members, and organizations to analyze and outline how our project will adhere to the highest of environmental standards. The project will clean up an industrial site with private dollars and return public access to the waterfront with more than 18 acres of public parks and open greenspace.
In addition, the council voted to approve a resolution requiring community benefits including local hire for jobs and to mitigate impacts to nearby neighborhoods, such as parking in Chinatown, and to West Oakland, following complaints by residents who spoke during the meeting from that neighborhood, as well as freight compatibility for the Port of Oakland.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf issued a statement praising the council action in which she said, “Tonight’s action is more than a milestone — it’s a giant leap forward in our shared mission to create a regional destination that gives back our waterfront to the public, connects a new vibrant neighborhood to our downtown, and provides tens of thousands of good union jobs for our residents — and it does it all while keeping our beloved A’s rooted in Oakland.
Now that the Final Environmental Impact Report has been certified, the floor is set for negotiating robust community benefits that our residents demand and deserve, as well as the final development agreement.
Tonight’s action is more than a milestone – it’s a giant leap forward in our shared mission to create a regional destination that gives back our waterfront to the public, connects a new vibrant neighborhood to our downtown, and provides tens of thousands good union jobs for our residents – and it does it all while keeping our beloved A’s rooted in Oakland.”
Our waterfront ballpark is a once-in-a-generation project, creating transformative environmental and community benefits for Oakland, and setting the stage for more World Championships for our fans.
We thank our fans, community members, and civic leaders who shared their support during the EIR process and in public meetings. While this is the furthest we have come in securing a new ballpark in Oakland for the Athletics, we have more work to do. We now look forward to finalizing the development agreement and community benefits agreement before a vote later this year.
The city council will still have to approve a development agreement with the team which is expected to occur sometime this summer, plus approvals from the Port, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and State Lands Commission.
To learn more about our waterfront ballpark at Jack London Square and the progress we’ve made to date, visit WeAreRooted.com.
Go A’s!
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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