Imagine driving heavily-loaded trucks, not on well-demarcated highways but on frozen lakes and rivers. Sounds like a scene straight out of an action-packed blockbuster? Well, welcome to the life of an Ice Road Trucker! These daring professionals conquer unforgiving terrains in remote northern regions, such as Alaska and Canada–where (more often than not) access to conventional […] … learn more→

With the blockbuster success of the Barbie movie and the related expansion of Barbie branding and merchandising, educators and parents may find themselves wondering about Barbie’s original purpose: as a child’s toy. Barbie has become an icon since her introduction in 1959. On the positive side, dolls like Barbie can serve as a canvas for imaginative storytelling and role-playing. Children […] … learn more→

Every year around the world, major natural and technological phenomena (floods, forest fires, cyclones, technological accidents, etc.) cause disasters that cause considerable damage to human life and property. There is broad consensus on the importance of raising public awareness and preparing through effective risk communication. This is a global issue, supported by the United Nations in […] … learn more→

In today’s society, where immediate returns are valued, it is fair to say that short-termism is in fashion. We live in an age of technology where globalization and unprecedented social interconnectedness are changing the way we live and our social relationships, including our relationships with ourselves . In this context, the search for quick success seems to be […] … learn more→

Would you dare to pour a bucket of ice water over yourself? And pinching your cheekbones on camera until a bruise comes out? Would you lick toilet seats just to show what you’re capable of? The presence on social networks of challenges that encourage users to take certain risks and share images is so common that minors are very familiar […] … learn more→

Parents can often find themselves staring in bewilderment at the little human they helped to create. Sometimes this bewilderment is centred around awe and amazement. Sometimes it is firmly entrenched in shock and embarrassment about a specific behaviour they have just witnessed. When a child swears it can be the latter that engulfs us. Children […] … learn more→

Recently, I challenged the hosts of the productivity podcast, On the Reg, to take a lunch break four days a week. You can hear it here (from 30:34 to 35:02). My challenge to the hosts Jason Downs and Inger Mewburn was simple: You have to be away from your desk for an hour. You can do no work […] … learn more→

There is ongoing concern about the impact of “helicopter parenting” on children’s growth and development. Keen to ensure the best outcomes for their children, helicopter parents tend to hover over their kids, constantly trying to prevent misadventure or harm. But child experts say this can lead to a lack of resilience and tenacity in children. Children can […] … learn more→

Social media use has been shown to decrease mental health and well-being, and to increase levels of political polarization. But social media also provides many benefits, including facilitating access to information, enabling connections with friends, serving as an outlet for expressing opinions and allowing news to be shared freely. To maximize the benefits of social media while […] … learn more→

With over 85.5 million Cantonese speakers worldwide, it’s no surprise that Cantonese, a key dialect in southern China and Hong Kong, holds a significant place on the global linguistic map. While Mandarin often takes the spotlight as China’s official language, the rich cadences and rhythmic tones of Cantonese carry centuries of history, culture, and stories, […] … learn more→