On the Radar: ‘Palworld,’ Teen Overdoses and Part-Time Jobs

Palworld Goes Viral Amid Controversy

What? Palworld, a new PC and Xbox game developed by the Japanese company Pocket Pair, has gone viral, selling more than 8 million copies since its launch last week.

So What? The game has been described as “Pokémon with guns” mixed with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But it’s T-rating (and unrated player mods) makes it less family-friendly than its cutesy image would suggest. (And you can check out our full review here.)

Now What? Parents should note that Palword is more violent than the Pokémon games it allegedly imitates. Players must beat or shoot cute, cartoonish animals in order to capture them and become “pals.” They can enslave other human characters. Some of the default outfits are a bit risqué, and avatars sport unrealistic body types. Third-party apps may enable more graphic imagery as well. Not surprisingly, the game is being investigated by the Pokémon Company for copyright infringement.

22 Teenagers Died from Drug Overdose Every Week in 2022

What? Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills, lacing them with fentanyl and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription drugs.

So What? Despite a fall in illicit drug use among high schoolers, an average of 22 teenagers a week died in 2022 due to these types of pills. And 16.8% of high school students have reportedly taken prescription medications without a doctor’s approval.

Now What? Tell your kids the facts. Beyond advising them not to use any drug—including prescription drugs that weren’t specifically prescribed for them—remind them that there is no way of knowing whether a pill has been laced with fentanyl if you didn’t receive it from your doctor or pharmacist. And just one pill can be fatal. Laboratory testing indicates that seven out of every 10 pills seized by DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Teens with Part-Time Jobs at a 14-year High

What? Thirty-seven percent of 16- to 19-year-olds either had a job or were looking for one last year, the highest annual rate since 2009.

So What? While working a job in high school can have many positive aspects, such as teaching the value of hard work, responsibility and integrity, studies also show that it can lead to lower grades and increased rates of dropouts.

Now What? Balancing life, school and work can be a huge challenge for teens. As parents, it’s our job to pay attention to that balance. If you think your child is overdoing it, talk to them about it. Remind them that it will be hard to reach their goals in life without a proper high school education. And if they’re not getting enough sleep, they could develop health problems that might interfere with those aspirations as well.