News
Opinion: If social platforms are harmful, donât just ban kids. Regulate the harms
2+ hour, 36+ min ago (429+ words) Social media can captivate teenagers " and everyone else. As major social media companies head to court this year to defend themselves against claims that their products have harmed young people's mental health, policymakers are searching for decisive responses. The lawsuits,…...
Why Washington's child care program could bear brunt of budget cuts
5+ day, 23+ hour ago (830+ words) OLYMPIA " The heftiest budget cuts Washington Democratic lawmakers are proposing this year focus on day care subsidies for low-income families. In the initial House and Senate budget plans, this paring of Working Connections Child Care totals more than a half-billion…...
Talking to your kids about ICE activity? Experts share 6 tips
2+ week, 21+ hour ago (1047+ words) Many parents brace themselves for challenging conversations with their kids: "the birds and the bees," a first heartbreak or even their first interaction with gun violence." But in light of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement crackdown " in Minneapolis and beyond…...
State may stop taking funds from youths in extended foster care
2+ week, 1+ day ago (592+ words) State Rep. Emily Alvarado speaks at a news conference in Seattle. (Audrey Richardson / The Seattle Times. 2024) OLYMPIA " Washington is one step closer to ending the practice of intercepting federal benefits from young adults receiving foster care services under a bill…...
Opinion: Sociology is taking it on the chin. Here’s how we can preserve it
3+ week, 1+ day ago (397+ words) Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz with Gov. Ron DeSantis at a news conference in Miami on May 9, 2023. After the dreadful year 2025, I've decided to parse my anger. It's a good time to specialize so as not to wear out one's…...
Record deaths in Washington's child welfare system have Legislature’s attention
1+ mon, 2+ day ago (1427+ words) Tana Senn, left, head of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families, said the agency has taken some steps to respond to a spike in deaths and near deaths among children involved in welfare cases. (Ken Lambert / The…...
WA lawmakers look to protect minors from AI chatbots
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (610+ words) Washington state lawmakers are considering stronger regulations on artificial intelligence companion chatbots. This comes amid growing concern over the technology's impact on young peoples' mental health. State Sen. Lisa Wellman, a Bellevue Democrat and the sponsor of the Senate bill,…...
Lawmakers seek child labor protections in WA for family vlog content
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (738+ words) Mobile surveillance cameras have been added outside the Washington State Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Olympia. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times) House Bill 2400 requires social media creators based in Washington or having a substantial connection to the state earning $12,000 or more…...
Column: Go ahead. Make parenting mistakes
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (636+ words) OK, so maybe Uma Thurman in the movie "Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair" isn't exactly a perfect Christmas movie. So what? Parents are allowed to make a few mistakes along the way. I had dinner with my son recently,…...
Pediatrics column: Why volunteering is important for your child
3+ mon, 1+ day ago (390+ words) FILE - Sisters Lily Thomas, right, and Sophie Thomas pack boxes with food while volunteering at Saint Vincent Center Food Bank Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Union Gap, Wash. Encouraging your child to volunteer is a great way to help them think of…...