More and more, society places a high value on physical appearance. While good looks have been admired and coveted for thousands of years, in recent history the emphasis on physical attractiveness has increased. So much of what we are influenced by is what --and who-- we see in movies, television, magazines, and even on the Internet. And the people we see in the media are becoming more and more perfect, with airbrushing and stylists and "starve yourself to perfection" diets. If you're not perfect, you don't fit.
Unfortunately, most of us were not born perfect. For many people, this can be a painful reality to face, especially if that person has a particular feature they're not happy with. And nobody is affected more by concerns about their physical appearance than teenagers. Teen self image is especially delicate, and teens are particularly prone to feeling unhappy with the face (or body) they see in the mirror.
Cosmetic surgery can be a good option for those who are unhappy with their current appearance. But for teenagers, the line between an appropriate procedure to improve self image and an inappropriate procedure can be blurry. How young is too young for cosmetic surgery? How can you tell if your teenager is ready?
When determining if a patient is the right age for cosmetic surgery, doctors look at it from two angles-- the effect the surgery will have on the patient physically, and the effect it will have emotionally.
Physically, the minimum age for cosmetic surgery differs from procedure to procedure. For some procedures, such as Rhinoplasty (nose job), patients can receive the surgery at a fairly young age. For Rhinoplasty, the minimum age of potential patients is 13 or 14 for girls, and 14 or 15 for boys. Another popular procedure, Otoplasty, which reshapes deformed ears or pins back protruding ears, can be performed on patients as young as four years of age.
There are many procedures, however, that are not appropriate for people who are not fully grown. Many of these are popular procedures that shape the body. Liposuction, for instance, reduces the amount of fat in the body. This is inappropriate for teenagers, as many people lose their "baby fat" at 17, 18, and even 19 years old. Another of the most-requested procedures that is generally inappropriate for teens is breast augmentation. Unless the procedure is used to make breasts more symmetrical, it is not recommended that girls under 19 or 20 undergo the procedure, as their breasts are still growing.
In addition to concerns about growing and changing bodies, surgeons must also look into a potential patient's mental state. Are they emotionally ready for this life change? Many teenagers have a difficult time being consistent about what they want, and sometimes their gripes about their appearance are tied in more deeply with their self-esteem than with their physical attributes.
Plastic Surgeons recommend that before performing any procedure on a teenage, it is necessary to ensure that their concern about is real and consistent.
Are you a parent? If you are, you may be curious as to when children regularly start using the internet. In all honesty, you will find that it depends. There are some parents who start their children with using a computer and the internet right away and others wait until their children need to do so for school. So, how young is too young for your child to use the internet?
What many parents, especially first time parents, do not realize is that some elementary schools teach their children how to use a computer as young as first grade. Of course, they may not learn how to surf the internet, but they do often learn the basics. These basics may include learning how to type, how to turn on a computer, how to use a computer mouse, and so froth.
In keeping with young age, there are many parents who allow their toddlers and preschoolers to play computer games. Although software for those games can be purchased online or in most media stores, some parents turn to the internet. The good news about this approach is that many trusted websites, like those for Nick Jr, PBS Kids, and PlayHouse Disney do not have harmful advertisements on their websites that your child could accidentally click on.
Young elementary school children are also likely to use the internet and a computer in general to play computer games. Towards the fifth or sixth grade, children may start to use the internet to do research for school projects. This is when it is really important to start monitoring your child's use of the internet. Even if your child doesn't use online social networking websites, use internet chat rooms, or visit pornographic websites, it doesn't mean that they can't accidentally come across them. Some websites are not very careful with what advertisements they show.
Junior high school and high school students, honestly, need the most monitoring online. These are students who not only use the internet to research, but to communicate with their friends and to make new friends. Unfortunately, not all teenagers are educated on the dangers that lurk online, especially where internet chat rooms and social networking websites are concerned.
So, is your child ready to use a computer and the internet? As stated above, it is your decision to make. With that being said, be sure to use your best judgment and be sure to establish some firm ground rules. Children who are at least seven years of age should never be allowed to use a computer alone. Strict rules should be imposed for older children.
Speaking of internet safety rules, be sure to make your views on social networking websites and internet chat rooms clear. If you don't want your child to use them, state so. If they are allowed, establish rules. A few rules to get you started involve making a social networking website profiles private, not communicating directly with strangers, not trading personal information online, and not posting personal pictures or videos online.
As a reminder, you have the ability to determine when and where you child can access the internet. Just be sure that if you do allow your child to use the internet that you establish ground rules. Even toddlers and preschoolers should be able to follow these rules, such as only playing games on the website you get them set on.
Both Amy Nutt & Tommy Lee are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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