Cyber safety for kids of all ages

With the first decade of the 21st century now a thing of the past, historians can look back on the last 10 years and begin reflecting on the decade's most memorable moments.

Historians can also begin looking at what changed in the last 10 years, and which trends made the biggest impact. Perhaps nothing made a greater impact than the Internet. Though prevalent at the end of the 20th century, the Internet became even more so during the first decade of the 21st century, changing nearly every facet of society along the way.

While the Internet made things easier in many ways, it's made things more difficult in more subtle ways as well. Take, for example, kids and the Internet. While computers were once a place for kids to play games and write papers for school, nowadays the household computer is a means to reaching a whole new world, one that isn't always so safe for kids. That reality highlights the importance parents must place on safeguarding their kids from the ills of the Internet. Fortunately, there are several steps parents can take to keep kids of all ages safe from whatever or whoever might be lurking online.

·Establish a list of Web sites that are on and off limits. Parents must talk to kids about the nature of the Internet, and how some Web sites are geared toward adults and some are more kid-friendly. When having this discussion, ask kids why they might go online, and from there parents and children can begin to establish a list of Web sites that are acceptable, and those that are off limits. Parents can even safeguard access to Web sites outside the realm of what they've deemed acceptable by establishing passwords to get on certain sites.

·Don't share passwords and change them regularly. Nowadays, more and more sites require passwords to gain full access. E-mail accounts, social networking sites, online banking, and even online retailers require a password. Kids and adults alike should always keep these passwords secret and change them regularly. Do not use the same password for every Web site. If anything seems out of the ordinary or if you feel security might have been breached, immediately contact the Web site and change the password.

·Do not share personal information. Today's kids are growing up in an environment that's seemingly less private than ever before. Social networking Web sites have made it commonplace to share information easily and without much discretion. However, this has the potential to be very dangerous for younger and older kids alike. Younger kids could be unknowingly making themselves accessible to online predators, while older kids, even those in college, should be made aware that prospective employers have begun to visit social networking sites to research an applicant's background. The more that's shared online, the less privacy a user has. So it's best to exercise discretion whenever sharing information online.

·Do not arrange to meet anyone you have met online. Though older kids might feel they have enough wits about them to avoid falling victim to an online predator, it's precisely that attitude of invincibility that online predators count on. Younger and older kids should never meet an online acquaintance without first discussing it with their parents. Simply because someone says they're something online doesn't mean they are, and many a horror story has resulted from online predators taking advantage of trusting kids, young and old, and even adults.

·Beware of online viruses. Online safety does not just involve protecting oneself from physical harm but also financial harm. Online viruses can destroy even the most expensive computers, so it's important for computer users to exercise careful control when visiting Web sites. Oftentimes, a virus will surface through a pop-up window or spam e-mail, so it's best for adults and kids alike to avoid clicking on any pop-up windows or opening any e-mails from mailers they don't recognize.

How to whiten your teeth naturally

If coffee, cigarettes and food have left their mark on your teeth, you're not alone. There are plenty of people who would try anything to get back their pearly whites.

Teeth naturally yellow for a number of reasons. But did you know that Mother Nature has some natural solutions to getting back your pearly whites? Here are some tips:
·Eat foods that act like detergents and whiten teeth naturally. To keep teeth bright and prevent yellowing, you need to remove the staining bacteria by chewing certain crunchy fruits and vegetables that produce high salivary flow and actually work like tiny toothbrushes to help scrub away stubborn stains over time. So, take a bite out of apples, carrots, pears, guavas, cauliflower and cucumbers.

·Eat dark green vegetables. Vegetables like broccoli, lettuce and spinach act like a barrier on teeth by creating a film that prevents stains from recurring and can actually help scrub away stubborn stains over time.
·Eat lots of high-fiber and whole foods - they act as natural tooth cleansers.
·Mash a few strawberries in a bowl and then take your finger and spread the pulp all over your teeth. Leave it on a minute or two, and then thoroughly rinse and brush it off.

Don'ts:
·The rule of thumb is that anything that can stain a white T-shirt can stain your teeth too. That means most varieties of berries, as well as soy sauce, red wine, many fruit juices, coffee, tea, and cola. You don't have to avoid them altogether, but immediately after indulging, rinse out your mouth with water, brush your teeth or chew gum.
·Keep in mind that citrus fruits contain acid that can cause enamel to deteriorate over time.
·Be aware that those sports drinks, energy drinks and fitness waters contain organic acids which are known to break down calcium. So they're especially good at eroding your teeth. Recent studies show they were more damaging to tooth enamel than cola-based drinks.
·Reduce your intake of acidic foods like vinegar. Foods that are slightly acidic open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing for easy staining.

Thorough cleaning by a dentist or hygienist will remove most external staining from teeth caused by food and tobacco. Using a whitening toothpaste can also help remove these surface stains between dental visits. If stains have been present for years, you may need to have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these more stubborn external stains.

Women's guide to younger looking skin

There are many natural components of aging and wrinkles are no exception. As we age the skin becomes less elastic, thinner and drier. The skin is also less able to protect itself from damage. As a result, wrinkles and fine lines can begin forming.

Some women experience deep wrinkles, while others have less visible lines. Genetics can play a major role in determining the wrinkling factor of the skin. Take a look at your mother's or grandmother's skin. If they weren't prone to spending long hours in the sun and refrained from smoking cigarettes (sun exposure and smoking can contribute to wrinkling), chances are your skin will be somewhat similar as you age.

Because many times people are judged first by outward appearances, women can become self-conscious of their wrinkles as they get into their 40s and 50s. Today, a number of procedures aimed at reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines exist. The key is finding one that works for you and your budget. Here are some options to consider.
*Gain a little weight. No one is advocating going on an eating binge. However, a new study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery analyzed pictures of the faces of 186 pairs of identical twins, along with extensive questionnaires each twin filled out about lifestyle and skin care. The study found that for twin pairs under 40, the heavier one (a four-point difference in the Body Mass Index, or BMI) looked significantly older. But surprisingly, after 40, that same four-point difference in BMI made the heavier twin look significantly younger. Once you reach 40, it may pay to increase your weight by a few pounds, which can fill out your face and reduce the appearance of wrinkling.

*Explore wrinkle creams. Wrinkle creams are found in department stores and drug stores across the country. Most promise dramatic results. It is unlikely that you'll get the same results from creams and lotions as you would from going under the knife. But depending upon the ingredients in the products, you could see improvements in the skin over time. Most ingredients are antioxidants that help reverse cell damage caused by free radicals. Fruit acids are another popular ingredient, which exfoliate the skin to reveal newer skin underneath.

*Skin resurfacing. There are a number of treatments that "damage" the outer layer of the skin to promote newer, younger skin to grow in its place. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, or laser resurfacing are just some of these techniques. Laser resurfacing is an effective treatment for minor facial flaws. It can wipe out fine to moderate wrinkles, liver or age spots, correct uneven skin tones, and even reduce the appearance of acne or chickenpox scars. Because the epidermis, or outer layer of skin, is removed, it's common to experience some irritation, redness or itching on areas treated. It could take up to two weeks before new skin forms and you can remove bandages.

*Medicinal botulinum toxin type A. This is the same bacteria that causes food poisoning, marketed under the popular name Botox(R). However, in the medicinal version, a much lower concentration is purified and injected into muscles to prevent contraction. When muscles aren't contracted, the skin on top of them flattens and appears less wrinkled. These types of injections are not good for all types of facial wrinkles and cannot reverse the ones caused by sun damage. It is also discouraged to use Botox around the mouth because these muscles are needed for eating and talking.

*Injectable fillers. Collagen fillers and other products are injected under the skin to smooth out wrinkles. They can be effective when done correctly. However, in certain cases the injection can appear uneven or bumpy.

*Surgery. Surgery is one of the most expensive options for treating wrinkles. Face and eye lifts can pull the skin taut and smooth out wrinkles.