Distracted by Their Smartphones, Pedestrians Are Landing in the ER

THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2019 -- Talking and texting on your smartphone is a big no-no for drivers, but new research suggests the same should be true for pedestrians.

According to one database, more than 2,500 men and women went to an emergency room for head and neck injuries sustained while using a smartphone between 1998 and 2017. When that number is extrapolated to include the whole country, the total is likely to be more than 76,000 people.

1 in 4 Parents Say No to Play Date Invites

TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2019 -- Many U.S. parents are selective about their children's play dates, with nearly one-quarter refusing invitations because they're not comfortable leaving their child in the other parent's care, a new survey finds.

Their main concerns about play dates include children being unwatched, hearing inappropriate language, getting into medications and harmful substances, and getting injured, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at the University of Michigan.

One-Third of U.S. Kids Too Sleepy to Succeed in School

FRIDAY, Oct. 25, 2019 -- Here's a finding that should prompt parents to crack down on their kids' screen time at night: New research shows that close to one-third of American children don't get sufficient sleep.

That lack of sleep makes it harder for kids to learn and to behave well when challenged.

How Young Is Too Young to Leave Kids Home Alone?

FRIDAY, Oct. 25, 2019 -- Children should be at least 12 years old before they're left home alone for four hours or more, a majority of U.S. social workers surveyed say.

Also, social workers are more likely to consider it neglect if a child is injured while home alone.