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How Higher Ed Should Tackle AI
Higher learning in the age of artificial intelligence isn’t about policing AI, but rather reinventing education around the new technology, says Chris Kanan, an associate professor of computer science at the University of Rochester and an expert in artificial intelligence and deep learning. “The cost of misusing AI is not students cheating, it’s knowledge loss,” says Kanan. “My core worry is that students can deprive themselves of knowledge while still producing ‘acceptable work.’” Kanan, who writes about and studies artificial intelligence, is helping to shape one of the most urgent debates in academia today: how universities should respond to the disruptive force of AI. In his latest essay on the topic, Kanan laments that many universities consider AI “a writing problem,” noting that student writing is where faculty first felt the force of artificial intelligence. But, he argues, treating student use of AI as something to be detected or banned misunderstands the technological shift at hand. “Treating AI as ‘writing-tech’ is like treating electricity as ‘better candles,’” he writes. “The deeper issue is not prose quality or plagiarism detection,” he continues. “The deeper issue is that AI has become a general-purpose interface to knowledge work: coding, data analysis, tutoring, research synthesis, design, simulation, persuasion, workflow automation, and (increasingly) agent-like delegation.” That, he says, forces a change in pedagogy. What Higher Ed Needs to Do His essay points to universities that are “doing AI right,” including hiring distinguished artificial intelligence experts in key administrative leadership roles and making AI competency a graduation requirement. Kanan outlines structural changes he believes need to take place in institutions of higher learning. • Rework assessment so it measures understanding in an AI-rich environment. • Teach verification habits. • Build explicit norms for attribution, privacy, and appropriate use. • Create top-down leadership so AI strategy is coherent and not fractured among departments. • Deliver AI literacy across the entire curriculum. • Offer deep AI degrees for students who will build the systems everyone else will use. For journalists covering AI’s impact on education, technology, workforce development, or institutional change, Kanan offers a research-based, forward-looking perspective grounded in both technical expertise and a deep commitment to the mission of learning. Connect with him by clicking on his profile.
Florida scientists champion ‘Food Is Medicine’ movement to tackle national health crisis
University of Florida researchers are calling for a national transformation in how we address the ongoing epidemic of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, starting with a fundamental shift in how we approach health, agriculture and food. Published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the article argues that fruits and vegetables must be treated not just as food — but as medicine. With 73% of U.S. adults and 35% of children classified as overweight or obese, the authors warn that the crisis is not only an individual health issue but a national economic and security threat. Andrew Hanson, Ph.D., a co-author and professor of horticultural sciences at UF/IFAS, emphasized a sense of urgency and collective responsibility toward solving this health crisis. “This isn’t business as usual. We’re taking a public-interest view. This is the kind of thing we all need to be talking about. It’s too important not to,” he said. The article proposes a roadmap for change, including creating five National Institutes of Health-supported “Food Is Medicine” centers across the U.S., with Florida as a leading candidate; scaling up domestic fruit and vegetable production to meet national dietary needs; partnering with food producer and processors to make healthy foods more accessible, affordable and appealing; and reforming medical and nutrition education to include horticultural sciences and vice versa. The article highlights that only 1 in 10 adults meets the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables, and that U.S. production falls far short of what’s needed to support a healthy population. The authors call for a dramatic expansion of fruit and vegetable production, especially high-impact crops like berries, leafy greens and carrots. Christopher Gunter, Ph.D., professor and chair of the UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, said the team’s goal is to push the role fruit and vegetables crops can play in improving human health into the national consciousness. “As a discipline, horticulture and the science of fruit and vegetables have been largely ignored in this conversation,” Gunter said. “Our goal is to move the needle on health with fruit and vegetables.” Hanson said about 80% of the nation’s cropland is used to grow soybeans, corn and wheat — most of which are processed into products with low nutritional value that contribute to the obesity and Type 2 diabetes epidemic. Mike Jaffee, M.D., a co-author and professor of neurology in the UF College of Medicine, stressed the broader implications of a high-vegetable diet on brain health. “Obesity and insulin resistance are linked to inflammation and neurodegeneration. We’re living longer, but our brains aren’t keeping up. That’s where the real cost to individuals and the health care system comes in,” he said. Gunter agreed, adding, “This epidemic reduces the longevity and productivity of our citizens. It limits the momentum communities need to grow healthy and resilient families.” Hanson pointed out that higher socioeconomic groups are better positioned to meet dietary recommendations, making this not just a health issue, but a deeply embedded social and economic one. “This crisis takes an unduly large toll on people with lower incomes and less time. To eat enough fruits and vegetables in the current system, you need substantial income and time to prepare food. That’s a luxury many don’t have,” he said. The authors argue that farmers bring essential knowledge to the table. “They understand how environmental factors impact nutritional quality,” Gunter said.
Pioneering systems to aid the visually impaired, Dianne Pawluk, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, recently received two grants totaling $4.5 million in support of her research. Real-time Conversion and Display of Visual Diagrams in Accessible Forms for Blind-Visually Impaired (BVI) is a five-year project to develop real-time assistive technology for BVI individuals. It received a $3.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute to fund a low-cost system that will automatically convert and render visual diagrams in effective accessible formats on a multimodal display, including a refreshable tactile display and an enhanced, visual magnification program. Diagram exploration support will be provided by an automated haptic assistant. Pawluk is collaborating with Tomasz Arodz, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, on the project. Including Blind and Visually Impaired Students in Computer Programming Education Through a Tangible Interface for Scratch is a four-year project to develop a nonvisual interface for the Scratch programming platform. Receiving a $1.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the project aims to make computer science education more accessible to BVI students. The interface will allow these students to learn programming alongside their sighted peers in classrooms, camps and clubs, supporting both BVI and other kinesthetic learners with a haptic-based tangible interface. High contrast visual information will also be provided for those with low vision and collaboration with sighted peers. This project is a collaboration with the Science Museum of Virginia, Arizona Science Center and Liberty Science Center. “Equal access to information is important for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to have autonomy and control over their decision-making processes and other tasks, which will allow them to live productive and fulfilling lives,” Pawluk said. “These projects go beyond creating an equivalent experience. They enable full collaboration between visually impaired and sighted people, ensuring equal opportunity.”
The H³ Plan: How to Retire Without Losing Your Mind & How You Can Support Older Relatives
MEDIA ADVISORY Retirement planning expert Sue Pimento introduces her H³ Plan — a research-backed framework for maintaining mental and emotional health in retirement that goes beyond financial planning. The framework identifies three essential pillars — Hope, Help, and Horizon — that help combat the emotional flatness many retirees experience after leaving structured work. Drawing on neuroscience research and clinical insights, Pimento offers a practical "emotional pension plan" for the growing population of Canadians navigating this life transition. Sue Pimento is available for interviews on retirement wellness, healthy aging, and the psychology of life transitions. Retirement doesn't arrive with a crash. It arrives quietly. One day, you stop setting alarms, stop racing against the clock, stop feeling urgently needed—and no one gives you the mental and emotional playbook for what comes next. There should be a chapter titled: How to Keep Your Brain Engaged, Regulated, and Not Mildly Irritated by Everyone. Instead? 404 page not found. (Translation: the system is actively seeking guidance… and coming up empty.) And if you're nodding along thinking "yes… exactly" — IYKYK. (If You Know, You Know. And if you don't yet, give it time.) Understanding Your Emotional Pension Plan After years of writing, researching, listening, and living through this stage myself, three factors consistently emerge as essential to maintaining mental and emotional health as we age. I call it H³: Hope, Help, and Horizon. Here's why each one matters—and why neglecting any of them leaves you emotionally drained. Think of them as your emotional pension plan — not optional, not fluffy, but essential. 1. Hope: Not Just Wishful Thinking — Agency, Clarified In her reflective New York Times article, "Your Hopes," journalist and believing host Lauren Jackson examines increasing cynicism, waning trust, and—most importantly—what research indicates truly can turn the tide. One line sums up the difference perfectly: Optimism is believing the future will improve. Hope is believing you can make it so. Here's why that matters. Optimism versus Hope (Plain-English Edition) Optimism is passive: "Things will probably work out." Hope is active: "I can influence what happens next." Optimism awaits. Hope takes part. From a psychological perspective, hope is based on: • Agency (I am able to act) • Pathways thinking (I can find a way) Research from the University of Oklahoma's Hope Research Center indicates that hope is one of the strongest predictors of well-being, often surpassing income, education, and even past success. For retirees, this distinction is important because aging narratives often aim to gently remove us from the driver's seat. Hope replies with something more like: Back off, sister. I refuse to buy into outdated stereotypes. I've upgraded to a more modern version of aging—like a new iPod model. (Stereos are out of style. Keep up.) Hope maintains the nervous system in an engaged state rather than resignation. In fact, some see hope as far more nuanced. Frank O’Dea, best known for his personal comeback story — from being homeless to later becoming a very successful coffee entrepreneur as the co-founder of the Second Cup shares his thoughts in his book, “Hope is Not a Strategy.” His personal narrative reinforces a deep belief in hope as a powerful emotional engine, but never as a substitute for action. O’Dea, who later went on to be a co-founder of the Second Cup Coffee Company and is a recipient of the Order of Canada for his philanthropy and humanitarian work, speaks to the human tendency to confuse optimism with preparation — people often wish their way into opportunity, rather than work their way into readiness. I love this line from his book: “Hope is important — it gives us purpose. But without a strategy, it leaves us vulnerable. We win not by wishing, but by working.” — Frank O’Dea 2. Giving Back: Your Brain's Favourite (Unpaid) Job Giving back isn't about virtue. Or virtue signalling on social, for that matter. (It's not a branding exercise. No hashtag required.) It's about nervous system regulation. Over the holidays, I was listening to an interview on CBC Radio and found myself doing that thing where you stop playing Vita Mahjong mid-game because someone said something so logical but also completely fascinating. Gloria Macarenko’s episode with Vancouver-based psychologist and therapist Lawrence Sheppard explored in detail how giving back influences us and what he has personally observed in his practice. The message? Giving back is a key factor for mental health. Certainly, we've all heard the well-known phrase "tis better to give than receive"—or a version of it. But Sheppard wasn't referring to virtue or being kind. He was discussing what truly happens in the brain when we give. Here's the short version: Helping others shifts the brain out of threat mode and into meaning mode. So what's Happening Neurologically? Building on Sheppard's clinical work and broader neuroscience: • Chronic stress forces the nervous system to stay hyper-vigilant. • Rumination shifts inward and intensifies the sense of threat. • Contribution shifts focus outward • Helping activates reward pathways and emotional regulation. Giving back restores balance. • purpose • structure • connection • competence Giving back reminds your brain it's still engaged—just not earning money. (My definition of volunteering. Not Webster's.) And many retirees miss that feeling more than the salary. They also miss the tangibles: vinyl records, 99-cent bread, and the quiet satisfaction of being needed somewhere at 9 a.m. Importantly, giving back—like hope—helps regulate the nervous system by decreasing feelings of isolation and restoring a sense of predictability. Your brain prefers knowing where it belongs. 3. Something to Look Forward To: Anticipation Is Medicine This one is sneaky powerful—and well documented. Having something to anticipate generates excitement. And excitement is not merely a feeling. It's a nervous system event. Here's the connective tissue: All three pillars—hope, giving back, and anticipation—work because they shift the nervous system away from threat and stagnation, and toward engagement, reward, and regulation. The Science (Why Anticipation Works) Research by neuroscientist Wolfram Schultz showed that dopamine spikes most strongly before a reward—not during it. Later studies in affective neuroscience confirmed: • Anticipation boosts motivation and positive emotions. • Future-oriented thinking diminishes depressive rumination. • Predictable positive events enhance mood regulation. In plain English: Your brain lights up when it knows something good is coming. In many instances, anticipation offers more emotional uplift than the event itself. Think: • first date • first kiss • first solo trip • first "I can't believe I'm actually doing this" moment You cannot buy that feeling in a bottle. (Not even the little blue pill will do it.) Why This Matters in Retirement Work used to provide: • deadlines • milestones • future orientation • purpose • feedback • connection • a sense of accomplishment And yes—before anyone writes me a letter—stay-at-home moms, caregivers, and volunteers: that is work. Don't get me started. When structured work concludes, those inputs aren't automatically replaced. Without things to look forward to: • time flattens • mood dulls • life becomes emotionally beige Something—anything—on the calendar restores forward motion. What Giving Back Looks Like in Real Life My friend Janet retired at 63 with a solid financial plan and no emotional plan. Six months in, she was climbing the walls—bored, restless, wondering why she felt so flat when she "should" be enjoying herself. Then she started tutoring at the library (Help), signed up for a pottery course (Horizon), and realized she could actually shape this chapter however she wanted (Hope). Different person. Same retirement account. Completely different nervous system. Big Things Are Overrated Waiting for something big to look forward to is often just perfectionism wearing a sensible cardigan. We tell ourselves the next big milestone will fix everything, when in reality, progress usually happens in a game of inches. Small choices, taken consistently, create big shifts. Direction beats intensity every time. As I wrote in my last blog about my Everest Base Camp and MBA journey: Even Cs get degrees. And I'll add: Consistent B- work wins most races. Small counts: • weekly plans • standing dates • tickets bought months ahead • regular commitments Anticipation is hope with a calendar invite. The H³ Framework for a Happy Retirement (Hope. Help. Horizon.) All three regulate the nervous system and keep us engaged. Hope — I can still shape things Help — I'm useful and connected Horizon — My life has forward motion If life feels flat, add one from each column. That's the prescription. Retirement isn't just about slowing down. It's about re-wiring. In plain English: You are not done yet! Remember, hope keeps you engaged. Giving back keeps you grounded. Looking forward keeps you light. Or, translated: A happy retirement isn't passive. It's practiced. A Note for Those Supporting Older Relatives If you have aging parents, relatives, or friends in your life, be on the lookout for signs of depression, resignation, or apathy. The signs are obvious if you're paying attention: flat affect, repetitive complaints, withdrawal, that vague sense they're just going through the motions, or their smile doesn't reach their eyes. Here's what not to do: point it out directly or suggest they "find a hobby" or "volunteer somewhere." Here's what does work: create Hope and Horizon by scheduling regular outings—lunch, a walk, a movie, anything with a date attached. Sometimes we underestimate how much seniors look forward to our visits and connections. It's better than any tonic or medication to lift spirits, young and old. In this scenario, action speaks louder than words. Talking about depression often brings up shame and further withdrawal. Instead, think of love as a verb, not a noun. You don't need to fix anything. Just show up. Regularly. Predictably. No grand gestures. No reinvention required. Just presence with a pulse - and notifications on mute! Be that person! Don't retire. Re-wire. — Sue Want more of this? Subscribe for weekly doses of retirement reality—no golf-cart clichés, no sunset stock photos, just straight talk about staying Hip, Fit & Financially Free. Subscribe Here
Mental health providers may have trouble detecting bulimia in patients, study finds
When presented with a vignette describing the behaviors and characteristics of a patient with disordered eating, only a quarter of mental health providers who participated in a new study were able to correctly diagnose bulimia nervosa. The findings from researchers at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, part of UF Health, appear in the journal Eating Disorders. Two common, yet less-recognized, patient factors may have led to the misdiagnoses, said Dakota Leget, a doctoral student in the college’s Ph.D. program in clinical and health psychology, who conducted the study with her mentor, Rebecca Pearl, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology. The providers who participated in the study reviewed vignettes about a fictitious patient who was described as either having healthy weight or obesity and who used excessive exercise to compensate for overeating. Many patients with bulimia have average or higher body weight, yet misconceptions persist about the “typical” patient with bulimia, Leget said. “Unfortunately, we have stereotypes that someone with an eating disorder will look ‘very lean’ or ‘sickly,’ but we know that’s not the case for a lot of eating disorders,” she said. The study findings also suggest that providers may not associate excessive exercise with bulimia, despite the fact that it is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as one of multiple compensatory strategies used by people with bulimia. “I think my biggest takeaway is that excessive exercise may not be on mental health providers’ radar and may be overlooked when patients are presenting for care,” Leget said. For the study, the researchers recruited a nationwide sample of more than 200 mental health providers to read two patient vignettes and then select a diagnosis and recommended number of treatment sessions from a dropdown list of options. The vignettes described fictitious patients who met full diagnostic criteria for their respective disorders, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Three-quarters of participants correctly diagnosed major depressive disorder in the first patient vignette, which served as a control. Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of two versions of the second vignette. In one version, the patient was described as having a healthy weight; in the second, the patient was described as having obesity. The other patient details were the same for both versions. The patient in the vignette reported she followed a strict diet a few days a week and engaged in a cycle of binge eating accompanied by excessive exercise. The vignette also described the patient’s thoughts and feelings about her appearance and how they affected her activities and relationships. Only 27% of providers correctly diagnosed the patient as having bulimia nervosa, and 38% of providers incorrectly diagnosed the patient with binge eating disorder. Correctly distinguishing between bulimia, binge eating or any other eating disorder is critical, the authors say, not only to ensure patients receive the right treatment, but also to appropriately monitor for other health effects, such as dangerously low sodium levels caused by excessive exercise. “If you are treating the wrong eating disorder, you might not be using the best evidence-based strategy,” Leget said. The findings also point to the need for more continuing education on eating disorders for mental health providers who may not have specialized training, Leget said. “Many people with eating disorders will probably be seen in outpatient settings and they may not be seen by someone with expertise in this area,” Leget said. “Early detection and treatment are crucial. If the community provider is able to detect an eating disorder they can treat that person or guide them to someone with the appropriate expertise so the patient gets the treatment they need sooner rather than later.”
Raised to Serve: How Georgia Southern’s Jaden Young Found His Calling to Lead
“Shoot for the stars.” That guiding mindset defines Jaden Young, a recent graduate of Georgia Southern University who has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Young earned his master’s degree in professional communication and leadership at December commencement, carrying forward a lifelong connection to military service shaped by family tradition and constant movement. “If you shoot for the stars, even if you miss, you might land on the moon,” Young said, reflecting the ambition that has guided his academic and leadership journey. Raised in a military family, Young learned early how adaptability and exposure to different communities build resilience. Those lessons carried into his time in Army ROTC, where he credits the program with sharpening his discipline, confidence, and problem-solving skills. “The ROTC program instilled in me discipline, confidence and resilience… When things don’t go your way, it’s all about how you adapt and find a better solution,” he said. Young’s Georgia Southern experience also tested his perseverance beyond the classroom and training field, as he balanced graduate studies and ROTC commitments while supporting his mother through cancer treatments. Those challenges deepened his understanding of leadership as service rooted in trust, communication, and loyalty. As he prepares for the Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Young says he feels ready to lead soldiers with purpose—bringing together the lessons of his upbringing, education, and commitment to serve. Looking to know more about Georgia Southern University's Professional Communications and Leadership program? Simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Why homelessness is more than a housing issue for students
More than 4,400 students in Delaware were identified as experiencing homelessness during the 2022–23 school year, a number that continues to rise. Ann M. Aviles, associate professor in the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development, studies education equity, social policy and services for children and families. She is co-author of a new book, "Serving Students Who Are Homeless: A Resource Guide for Schools, Districts, Educational Leaders, and Community Partners", which offers practical guidance for educators navigating the challenges of student homelessness. Nationwide, more than 1.3 million school-aged children experience homelessness annually. While housing instability is often viewed as a social services issue, research shows it has direct and profound consequences for student learning, engagement and well-being. Housing instability affects every aspect of a student’s daily life. Students may be worried about where they will sleep, whether they will have food or how they’ll get home after school. That uncertainty makes it much harder to focus on learning, Aviles said. A key recommendation in Aviles’ new book is stronger collaboration between schools and community organizations. She encourages districts to develop community resource maps that identify local food pantries, shelters, health providers and other support services. She also emphasizes the importance of public understanding of homelessness as a systemic issue shaped by policy, affordability and access to services. To speak with Aviles further, email mediarelations@udel.edu.
“Designing Her Own Future: A Georgia Southern MBA Story”
After earning her Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University, one graduate is charting a path that blends creativity with business discipline. With a background in dressmaking, she entered the MBA program already skilled in her craft, but looking to strengthen the operational side of her work. “So much goes into dressmaking,” she explained. “From developing the pattern to the fabric you use, getting the right measurements, and so on. You have to make sure your stitches are clean, that the zipper is sitting properly.” While her technical skills were well developed, she quickly recognized that sustaining and growing her work required more than creative talent alone. “I didn’t have that business background,” she explained. “So I wanted to find a university program that could teach me how to structure and operate my business efficiently. So I started doing my research.” That search led her to Georgia Southern’s MBA program, where she immersed herself in coursework focused on strategy, leadership, and practical decision-making. Through the program, she gained the tools to think more systematically about her business—learning how to plan, organize, and scale her operations with confidence. Her experience reflects how graduate business education can empower entrepreneurs and creatives alike, transforming passion into sustainable practice and helping graduates design futures that work both artistically and professionally. Want to learn more about Georgia Southern's Master of Business Administration program? Simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Sun-Sentinel: What happens when parents go beyond sharenting?
So many parents routinely share photos and news about their kids on social media that the behavior has a name: sharenting. Usually harmless and well-meaning, it can also take a dangerous turn, exposing children to online predators, allowing companies to collect personal information and creating pathways for children to become victimized by identity theft. The risks are most pervasive when parents overshare to profit from their social media accounts. Whenever parents share, they are the gatekeepers, tasked with protecting their children’s information, but they are also the ones unlatching the gates. When parents profit from opening the gates, it is especially challenging to balance protecting their kids’ privacy against sharing their stories. Federal and state laws typically give wide deference to parents to raise their children as they see fit. But the state can and does intervene when parents abuse their children. Those laws protect children in the physical world. However, few laws shield children when parents risk harming them online. Let’s consider this hypothetical situation based on a composite of real-life events. Mia (fictional name) is a 7-year-old girl growing up in Orlando. Her mother is a stay-at-home parent who has a public Instagram account and considers herself an influencer. Many lingerie brands pay Mia’s mom to model their clothing. When a lingerie company from overseas offers Mia’s mom some money to have Mia also pose in their clothing, Mia’s mom says yes. Over the next few weeks, Mia and her mom model the clothing together in pictures and videos, sometimes wearing the outfits while reading together in bed, having pillow fights or being playful around the house — always in clearly intimate but arguably appropriate settings. Mia’s mom’s social media page explodes with new followers, many of whom appear to be grown men. The images on the page receive hundreds of likes and multiple comments. Mia’s mom deletes the most inappropriate comments but leaves others, hoping to increase engagement. As Mia’s mom’s social media following grows, so does the amount of money she earns. Mia tells her teacher about the social media page. Her teacher reaches out to Mia’s parents, to no avail. Mia’s mom keeps sharing. The teacher sees this as a potential form of abuse and neglect and, according to her obligation as a mandatory reporter of abuse, she calls in a report to the state’s central abuse registry. The teacher isn’t trying to get Mia’s mom in criminal trouble, but she thinks the family could use some education surrounding safe social media use and possibly access to financial support if they need this type of online exposure to pay the bills. The intake counselor declines to accept the hotline call. The counselor explains that the posting of pictures is not grounds for an abuse, abandonment or neglect investigation. The parent is sharenting, the counselor says, and that is within a parent’s right. Of course, child sexual abuse material is illegal, but the photos posted by Mia’s mom fall into a gray area — not illegal material, but likely harmful to Mia. Should there be a law to stop this? I believe there should be. Just as our views regarding child abuse have evolved, so must our views on sharenting. Merely 150 years ago, it was legal for parents to beat their children. It wasn’t until 1874, when a little girl named Mary Ellen was beaten severely by her caregiver, that courts began to step in. Drawing from existing laws prohibiting animal cruelty, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals argued that Mary Ellen had the right to be free from abuse. At the time, there were laws protecting animals from harm by their caregivers but no laws protecting children from such harm! Back to the present: Mia’s disclosure to her teacher could have changed her life and led to her family getting online safety help, if only the child welfare laws were suitably tailored to protect her in the online world as they attempt to do offline. Child protection laws should be expanded to include harms that can be caused by online sharing. The law can both protect parental autonomy and honor children’s privacy through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary new approach toward protecting children online — one that allows for thoughtful investigation, education, remediation and prosecution of parents who use social media in ways that are significantly harmful to their children. This conduct, which falls beyond sharenting, is ripe for legal interventions that reset the balance between a parent’s right to share and a child’s right to online privacy and safety. Stacey Steinberg grew up in West Palm Beach and now lives in Gainesville, where she is a professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law; the supervising attorney for the Gator TeamChild Juvenile Law Clinic; the director of the Center on Children and Families; and the author of “Beyond Sharenting,” forthcoming in the Southern California Law Review. This piece was also published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
A Snapshot of the Local Economy: Simon Medcalfe on Growth, Risk, and What Comes Next
At Augusta University’s annual Economic Forecast Breakfast hosted by the James M. Hull College of Business, Simon Medcalfe, PhD, offered a grounded, data-driven look at how the local economy is performing — and what lies ahead. Speaking to business leaders, students and community stakeholders, Medcalfe emphasized the importance of distinguishing real economic growth from inflation-driven gains, noting that while the Augusta region continues to grow, it does so at a measured pace compared to national averages. His presentation framed the local economy as stable and resilient, but not immune to broader forces shaping the U.S. outlook. A key theme of Medcalfe’s remarks was the role of research, innovation and education in sustaining long-term economic health. He pointed to strong gains in research and development across Georgia and highlighted how university-based research directly contributes to regional economic output. According to Medcalfe, investment in knowledge creation remains one of the most reliable drivers of growth, reinforcing the value of higher education institutions as economic anchors. Simon Medcalfe, PhD, is an economist with an emphasis on sports economics, social determinants of health, and the local economy. View his profile At the same time, Medcalfe cautioned against complacency. While regional fundamentals remain solid, he stressed that uncertainty at the national level continues to pose risks. “However, uncertainty abounds in national macroeconomic policy that could negatively impact growth next year,” Medcalfe said, underscoring how unresolved fiscal decisions and policy shifts can ripple down to local economies. Still, his overall outlook balanced realism with optimism. Medcalfe concluded that the Augusta region — and Georgia more broadly — is positioned to weather uncertainty thanks to diversification, investment in early education, and continued research activity. “Overall, Augusta and Georgia are positioned well for economic growth in 2026 with a strong commitment to early childhood education, a diversified labor market and strong research and development,” he said. View the full article 'Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast offers snapshot of the local economy' here: For journalists covering regional economics, workforce development, higher education, or policy-driven growth trends, Simon Medcalfe, PhD, offers clear-eyed analysis rooted in data — and an ability to translate complex economic signals into insight that matters locally. Simon is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
