Teens are taking to the airwaves to give other teens and parents
a forum to talk about issues affecting today’s youth.
Youthtopia, a monthly teen newsmagazine, airs for an hour the
last Sunday of the month on KUSP 88.9 and takes up issues related
to teen health. Past topics include AIDS, birth control and peer
pressure. The next show airs Sunday at 6 p.m. Teens will discuss
alcohol abuse.
Teens are taking to the airwaves to give other teens and parents a forum to talk about issues affecting today’s youth.
Youthtopia, a monthly teen newsmagazine, airs for an hour the last Sunday of the month on KUSP 88.9 and takes up issues related to teen health. Past topics include AIDS, birth control and peer pressure. The next show airs Sunday at 6 p.m. Teens will discuss alcohol abuse.
Going on its second year, Youthtopia “gives teens a place from which to speak their minds,” said Rachel Goodman, executive producer of the show.
“Suddenly, they’re hearing other teens talking about issues that affect them everyday,” she said. “We’re just giving them the space. Air time is a premium.”
KUSP is out of Santa Cruz but reaches San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Clara counties, going as far south as San Luis Obispo. People can call in during the show at 476-2800.
Youthtopia features teen hosts and reporters. The hosts for this Sunday’s show are Kyle Van West of Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory High School in Santa Cruz, Max Goldenkranz of Aptos High School and Tim Armstrong of Cabrillo College in Aptos.
The show will include reports about teen alcoholics, teens who abstain from drinking and a commentary about getting sober.
Alcohol is a topic of importance because of its prevalence among teens in the area. Alcohol is sometimes easier for teens to get than drugs, Goodman said.
“We have a high rate of teen alcoholism. There’s a difference between party drinking and someone who can’t stop. This can serve as a wake-up call to anyone heading that way,” Goodman said.
Youthtopia is also popular among parents, Goodman said, because it allows them “to know what teens are thinking and doing as well as give them ideas about how to talk to their own kids about these issues.”
For example, when teens mention on the show how accessible alcohol is and that they raid their parents’ liquor cabinets, parents might start locking up the alcohol, Goodman said.
KUSP is partnering with KION-TV Channel 46 and Planned Parenthood Mar Monte to produce Youthtopia. Students involved in the show gain experience in field reporting, interviewing skills and digital editing as well as being a radio DJ.
Future shows include “Tobacco and marijuana – When and why do people start smoking? What are the issues with each drug?” on Nov. 23 and “Hard drugs – cocaine, narcotics, etc. What they are, what they do?” on Dec. 28.
For more information, visit www.kusp.org or 476-2800.
