NPR logo NPR

Youth RadioYouth Radio

 Teen-driven news and views from NPR's Youth Desk

Miami Teen Reflects On Marijuana Use Among His Peers

More and more states are liberalizing marijuana laws, either for medical or recreational use. Reporter Deandre Benjamin reflects on the marijuana use he sees in his neighborhood and among his friends.

Listen Loading… 3:56
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/462821821/462821822" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

The Students' Perspective On Gun Violence In Schools

Youth Radio

This year alone, there have been more than 60 gun incidents on campuses across the U.S. Youth Radio's Nila Venkat reports on what it's like to be a bystander to these violent events.

Listen Loading… 4:02
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/458361243/458361244" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Cole Carman is an 18-year-old from Pittsburg, Calif.

Cole Carman is an 18-year-old from Pittsburg, Calif. Jenny Bolario/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Jenny Bolario/Youth Radio

Transitioning To Male, And Taking Some Of A Past Self With Him

Youth Radio

When trans teenager Cole Carman was ready to begin taking male hormones, his doctor asked him a question that threw him for a loop: Did he want to freeze his eggs first?

Listen Loading… 2:27
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/454910466/455243909" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The "castle room" was the first room opened by Maze Rooms in Los Angeles.

The "castle room" was the first room opened by Maze Rooms in Los Angeles. Noah Nelson/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Noah Nelson/Youth Radio

'Escape Rooms' Challenge Players To Solve Puzzles To Get Out

Turnstyle

They're part-puzzle, part-team building exercise, part-fantasy — and they have friends paying to get trapped in a room together. They have been popping up in cities around the country.

Listen Loading… 3:58
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/450239655/450321257" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

A Florida Family Moves Forward After Struggling With Addiction

Battles with addiction can rattle or wreck a family. Shenika Morrison, a youth reporter from WLRN in Miami, explores what getting past drug, alcohol and tobacco addiction means for her family.

Listen Loading… 4:06
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/450030326/450030327" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

A Young Girl Confronts Feelings Of Guilt After The Death Of Her Brother

The loss of a sibling can be devastating, particularly for kids. WLRN youth radio reporter Precious Gause brings us the story of her own experience, and how it affected her relationship with her mother.

Listen Loading… 4:18
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/448697151/448697152" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
People who have easy access to firearms are about three times more likely to kill themselves than people who don't have access to guns, a recent study from the University of California, San Francisco indicates.

People who have easy access to firearms are about three times more likely to kill themselves than people who don't have access to guns, a recent study from the University of California, San Francisco indicates. iStockphoto hide caption

toggle caption iStockphoto

Shots - Health News

When Deciding To Live Means Avoiding Guns

Youth Radio

When a 23-year-old who has tried to kill himself visits family, he must mentally prepare to resist hurting himself with their guns, he says. Gun access can make suicidal impulses harder to fend off.

Listen Loading… 3:50
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/442596159/443053755" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Young New York City Native Speaks Out About Domestic Abuse

One in three New York City teenagers report being verbally and emotionally abused by a romantic partner. Destiny Mabry was one of them. She speaks out about her own experience with domestic abuse.

Listen Loading… 8:14
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/442308307/442308308" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Virtual Summer Camp Uses 'Minecraft' To Teach Digital Skills

Youth Radio

While some kids go to summer camp, others opt for a virtual camp. It uses the Minecraft video game to teach engineering skills, basic coding and how to be a good citizen in the digital landscape.

Listen Loading… 3:51
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/433402336/433402337" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
A young man peers out a window in a holding cell after arriving at the intake unit at Alameda County Juvenile Hall.

A young man peers out a window in a holding cell after arriving at the intake unit at Alameda County Juvenile Hall. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

At One Juvenile Hall, Too Few Staff Has A Big Impact

Youth Radio

A juvenile hall in San Leandro, Calif., is a so-called model facility, but it faces major challenges. A staffing shortage means, says a supervisor, "kids don't always get the services they should."

Listen Loading… 5:16
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/427422027/427648675" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Probation With A Therapeutic Approach Keeps Kids Out Of Juvenile Hall

In some places in the U.S., many kids end up in juvenile hall because of minor probation violations. But in Wayne County, Mich., the system has reduced rates through a therapeutic approach.

Listen Loading… 4:53
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/427464695/427464696" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Brian Hopson, assistant superintendent at Alameda County Juvenile Hall, stands in one of its many empty units. The 360-bed facility was full when it opened eight years ago, but is now at half capacity.

Brian Hopson, assistant superintendent at Alameda County Juvenile Hall, stands in one of its many empty units. The 360-bed facility was full when it opened eight years ago, but is now at half capacity. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

Meant To Keep Youths Out Of Detention, Probation Often Leads Them There

Nationwide, juvenile incarceration has dropped by half since 1999 — but the probations that have replaced it hold teens to sometimes subjective standards and often include electronic monitoring.

Listen Loading… 5:04
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/427263478/427318578" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Golden State Warriors Fans Rejoice Over Team's First Win In 40 Years

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night in the NBA Finals. It was the team's first championship in 40 years and Oakland, where the Warriors call home, was buzzing before and after the team clinched the title. Youth Radio's Denise Tejada was there and has this story.

Listen Loading… 3:14
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/415274537/415274538" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
After teens noticed a change in the tap water in Oakland due to the California drought, 17-year-old Amber Lee took a tap vs. bottled water taste test in Youth Radio's studios.

After teens noticed a change in the tap water in Oakland due to the California drought, 17-year-old Amber Lee took a tap vs. bottled water taste test in Youth Radio's studios. Jenny Bolario/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Jenny Bolario/Youth Radio

Teens Say California Drought Makes Tap Water Taste Funky

Youth Radio

A firsthand look at how the historic drought is affecting local teens' quest to quench their thirst.

Listen Loading… 3:36
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/402584148/404352601" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Comedian Aziz Ansari became a pioneer of emoji language use in 2011, when he transcribed the hit Jay-Z and Kanye West song, "Ni**as In Paris."

Comedian Aziz Ansari became a pioneer of emoji language use in 2011, when he transcribed the hit Jay-Z and Kanye West song, "Ni**as In Paris." azizisbored.tumblr.com hide caption

toggle caption azizisbored.tumblr.com

All Tech Considered

As Emojis Spread Beyond Texts, Many Remain [Confounded Face] [Interrobang]

There's a growing tendency to bring the tiny hieroglyphs off phones, but not everyone is fluent. New takes on emoji integration suggest misunderstanding may be remedied with universal translation.

Listen Loading… 7:38
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/404209790/404236547" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Apps like Venmo promise easy, carefree money transfers between friends.

Apps like Venmo promise easy, carefree money transfers between friends. Noah Nelson/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Noah Nelson/Youth Radio

All Tech Considered

The Risky Boom In Carefree Social Payment Apps

Turnstyle

Lots of young adults are using apps like Venmo to settle all kinds of debts. As the apps get more popular, they've become targets for scammers and hackers. But that hasn't seemed to scare away users.

Listen Loading… 3:21
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/398038742/398123479" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Truvada can dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection when taken as a preventative medicine — if taken every day. Studies are underway to determine if young people are likely to take the pill consistently.

Truvada can dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection when taken as a preventative medicine — if taken every day. Studies are underway to determine if young people are likely to take the pill consistently. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Would A Pill To Protect Teens From HIV Make Them Feel Invincible?

Youth Radio

Trials are underway to see how effective a pill approved for HIV prevention in adults may be for teenagers. But some worry Truvada could end up encouraging reckless sexual behavior among young people.

Listen Loading… 4:21
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/392362374/392375500" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Eight-year-old Tomás Rocha, a third grader at Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley, Calif., is among a handful of gender non-conforming students at the school.

Eight-year-old Tomás Rocha, a third grader at Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley, Calif., is among a handful of gender non-conforming students at the school. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

Code Switch

Transgender Students Learn To Navigate School Halls

Youth Radio

A new poll shows that fewer young people see gender as limited to female and male. Youth Radio reporter Nanette Thompson talks with two students about their experiences at school.

Listen Loading… 5:32
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/388464316/391042079" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Tyfanni Edwards and Dominique Bell, both 19, have part time jobs and also attend Berkeley City College part time.

Tyfanni Edwards and Dominique Bell, both 19, have part time jobs and also attend Berkeley City College part time. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

toggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

NPR Ed

The True Costs Of Community College

Youth Radio

President Obama has proposed making tuition at community colleges free. But Youth Radio reporter Tylyn Hardamon found that paying for school is just one of many challenges facing today's students.

Listen Loading… 3:39
  • Playlist
  • Download
  • Embed
    <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/382380292/382717208" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">