Here's your USD News Connect — where each week the University of San Diego media relations team offers expert voices to speak on stories impacting our community. If you're interested in the stories below, or need experts for any other topic you might be working on, don't hesitate to reach out to us at press@sandiego.edu.* |
First Hearing on May 3 for CA Social Media Bill that Will Crack Down on Platforms that Addict And Harm Kids |
California Assembly Bill 2408 will have its first hearing in front of the Assembly Judiciary Committee on May 3. This bill, if passed, could make California the first state to pass a social media bill to protect children from social media platforms' use of technologies that addict children. The bill was introduced in March by Assembly Members Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) to impose a clear duty on social media platforms not to use techniques that addict children and to make platforms liable for penalties and damages when social media addiction harms children. The Children’s Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego’s School of Law and Common Sense Media are co-sponsors of the bill. The Children’s Advocacy Institute is available for interviews.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month |
Even though the pandemic is waning, Carrie Tremble, Clinical Director of USD’s Tele-mental Health Training Clinic and professor of practice, says the demand for tele-mental health services continues to increase. Tremble can talk about the trends we are currently seeing regarding mental health, as well as how USD’s Tele-mental Health Training Clinic is shifting towards serving more children, adolescents and young adults because of a current national shortage in that area.
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USD Fraternity Delivers Inspirational Letters to Young Students |
The Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the University of San Diego recently delivered more than 400 handwritten letters of encouragement to every student at Perkins K-8 School. Students were invited to an assembly to receive the letters from the fraternity members who know the children personally after tutoring students weekly. Perkins K-8 School is a public school in the Barrio Logan neighborhood. About 400 students attend Perkins from Kindergarten through 8th grade. In 2014, approximately 3% of the students were homeless. In 2019, that number grew to nearly 40%. For video and interviews click here.
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* Please note that times of availability will vary according to professors' schedules.
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