The ride to a successful medical career can and should start as early as possible. One way to guarantee this is to introduce young students to resources that set them on the right path to medicine if that’s what they’re passionate about. Building a strong foundation early can make all the difference

Naturally, you may wonder: what resources are these? Well, here are a few.

Medical School Career Exploration Tools

Medicine is one huge field, and to be honest, most kids may not realize that there are way too many options than just being a “doctor”. Med school career exploration tools can change all this. These resources can help your child understand the variety of roles in healthcare and which medical school program fits their personality and skills.

Start with interactive websites packed with information on the medical profession. These sites can help break down what each medical specialty involves, the education prospective med students need, and even average salaries. This can be especially helpful if your child is curious but doesn’t know where to start.

If your young one is already in medical college and is considering internships, you can take it a step further and help them explore pre-med internships or any other opportunities to set them on the right career path. When they know the options open to them, they are likely to make strategic decisions that point in the right direction and improve their odds of success.

Mentorship Opportunities

Kids often dream about being a doctor, but they usually cannot 100% tell what it involves. A mentor can help bring the idea of working in medicine to life. Do you personally know a nurse, physician, or paramedic? Ask if your child can have a heart-to-heart with them about their job. Many professionals wouldn’t mind sharing the ins and outs of their medical practice.

If you’re considering more formal options, some hospitals and clinics have shadowing programs set aside to introduce high schoolers to basic medical knowledge. The point of these programs is to allow students to observe different medical professionals during their day-to-day tasks. What better way for an aspiring medical student to come to terms with the realities of medical school and career than through this personal approach?

But if you don’t have access to professionals who can engage your young ones, you can research different online platforms that match students with pros willing to share advice and guidance. You can’t miss one or two medical doctors who are open to sharing the ins and outs of medical education.

Volunteering and Community Service

There are many people out there who could use some help. Your young doctor-to-be can volunteer where needed and start making a difference as soon as possible. Apart from gleaming in medical school applications, volunteering also helps build empathy. Ask anyone in the field; this is a resource they can’t do without.

Luckily, potential medical students won’t run short of volunteer options. You can start with your local centers. Many community health clinics or hospitals have volunteer programs for high school students. They could help patients find their way around, maybe deliver comfort items, or assist with basic clerical tasks.

These jobs aren’t directly related to med programs, that’s true. But they teach something else: responsibility, communication, and professionalism. If your child is too young for these programs, look for age-appropriate opportunities. They could perhaps volunteer at a food bank, assist in community clean-ups, or help elderly neighbors get around. That’s a great way to foster in them a sense of service.

Science-Focused Reading Materials

There’s a whole world of reading materials that can help your young ones become attuned to the sciences. But to make it work, you’ve got to get them reading materials that are just right for their ages.

Younger kids? Stories like The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body are a great option. It makes pretty difficult topics like anatomy fun and easy to understand. Middle schoolers might have a lot of fun with books like The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind or Human Body Theater. They do great work introducing medical and scientific concepts in engaging ways.

As they advance to junior year and later senior year, you’ve got to take them a little deeper, too. Books like When Breath Becomes Air by Dr. Paul Kalanithi can take them through the rollercoaster life, aka, challenges and rewards of becoming a doctor.

The Little Medical School: How to Be a Doctor Kit is a lovely option if your young student is more hands-on. It comes with interactive projects like practicing sutures or building a stethoscope. You can also consider resources introducing them to organic chemistry, scientific research principles, etc., depending on their needs.

Final Thoughts

Getting your young ones on the path to medicine early can be enough to give them a head start. They get to know early enough if it’s something they want to do and, if yes, how to prepare and what to expect. So, give your young students this gift by getting them the right resources to set them on a path to success. It will serve them well when they find what they love to do, and will give them motivation to work toward career advancement throughout their working life.

The entrepreneurial spirit is no longer reserved for adults in suits, sipping coffee in corporate offices. Today, kids are stepping into the business world at an earlier age than ever before. In fact, with the rise of social media, e-commerce platforms, and digital tools, it’s never been easier for children to tap into their entrepreneurial potential.

So, what are the top business ideas for kid entrepreneurs in 2025?

We’re excited to explore creative business opportunities that young minds can pursue, fostering a sense of independence, creativity, and financial literacy from an early age. Let’s dive into why now is the perfect time for kids to start their own businesses.

Business Ideas for Kid Entrepreneurs

1.       Customized Clothing and Accessories

Personalized items are trending, and young entrepreneurs can tap into this market by creating custom clothing and accessories.

Using fabric markers, patches, or paint, they can create unique T-shirts, hats, or bags. This creative venture helps them build their brand and practice customer engagement.

2.     Online Gaming and Game Reviews

Gaming isn’t just for fun anymore—it’s a legitimate business! Kids who enjoy video games can start a channel or a blog reviewing games, sharing tips, or even designing simple games.

Keeping content lighthearted and positive can make it relatable for other young viewers. Kid entrepreneurs should remember to stay safe online by avoiding personal information and sticking to family-friendly language.

3.     Pet Care Services

Kids who love animals can offer pet-sitting, dog-walking, or even a pet grooming service. These simple services can teach responsibility and allow kids to spend time with furry friends.

Being reliable, punctual, and caring can help young entrepreneurs build trust with pet owners. Encouraging parents to help kids set up a simple contract can also ensure safe and clear agreements.

4.    Customized Artwork and Crafts

For artistic kids, selling customized artwork is a fantastic way to turn passion into profit. They can draw, paint, or make crafts to sell at school fairs or online.

Personalized items, like portraits or themed crafts, are popular. Kids can create seasonal pieces, like Halloween or holiday decorations, to appeal to different customers.

5.    Tutoring and Homework Help

Kids who excel in certain subjects can help younger students or peers through tutoring sessions. Tutoring provides both a service and a great way to reinforce their knowledge.

Setting up a quiet, comfortable space with simple materials like whiteboards or flashcards can make tutoring sessions effective and fun.

6.    Digital Content Creation and Vlogging

With parental guidance, kids can start a YouTube channel or blog about hobbies like baking, crafts, or sports. Content creation allows kids to build an audience and potentially earn from ads or sponsorships.

Remember: online safety is key for young creators! Using nicknames instead of full names and not sharing personal information are essential for safe digital interactions.

7.     Baking and Treats for Local Sales

Kids with a passion for baking can turn their treats into a local business! With help from adults, young bakers can whip up cupcakes, cookies, or unique treats for school events.

Local events, like farmers’ markets or school fairs, can be great places to sell baked goods. Eye-catching packaging and interesting flavors can attract more customers.

8.    Book Reviewing and Storytelling Online

Young bookworms can share reviews or even start storytelling channels for other kids. Storytelling teaches speaking skills and boosts confidence.

Kids can use a blog or audio app to record their thoughts on books they’ve read, creating a mini “book club” for other young readers.

9.    Virtual Event Hosting and Planning

Young hosts can organize virtual parties or game nights for friends. It’s a fantastic way for kids to practice organization and make events memorable for guests.

Kids can plan themes, games, or virtual “treat bags” to keep things exciting and interactive.

Skills and Tools for Success

To succeed in business, young entrepreneurs need to develop foundational skills that will support their growth and help them manage their ventures effectively.

• Budgeting – Understanding basic budgeting helps kids track their income and expenses, plan for future purchases, and avoid overspending. This skill teaches financial responsibility and ensures their business stays on solid ground. Using the best business credit cards can help by offering rewards and cash-back incentives, allowing them to manage business expenses more effectively while building a strong credit history for future growth.”

• Communication – Good communication is key to building relationships with customers, negotiating with suppliers, and collaborating with partners. Clear, polite, and engaging interactions help create a professional and trustworthy image for their business.  Active listening is equally important, as it ensures all parties feel heard and valued, paving the way for more effective and meaningful exchanges.

• Business Financing – Learning how to secure and manage funding is crucial for business growth. Understanding different financial strategies can help kids grasp how businesses sustain and expand over time. Parents can teach kids about saving profits for reinvestment, borrowing responsibly, or even exploring retail funding options like crowdfunding for small projects.

• Creativity – Thinking outside the box enables kids to develop unique products, services, or solutions that set their business apart. Encouraging creative approaches to problem-solving also helps them adapt to challenges and seize new opportunities.

Conclusion

Kid businesses are where creativity meets opportunity! With a little imagination and support, kids today can run the coolest businesses on the block (or even online!). So, why not dive in?

Grab those art supplies, pick out the beads, or start that YouTube channel, because 2025 is the year of kid-powered possibilities. Remember: every big idea starts small—and who knows? Today’s lemonade stand could be tomorrow’s empire!

Your digital footprint is the trail of data you leave behind when using the internet. It includes browsing history, social media interactions, emails, cloud-stored documents, and even your online shopping preferences. While much of this data is harmless on its own, in the wrong hands it can be used for identity theft, fraud, or surveillance.

Maintaining the safety of your digital footprint requires proactive steps, starting with strong cybersecurity measures.

Using Strong Anti-Virus Software

Anti-virus software acts as a frontline defense against a wide range of malicious activities, such as:

• Detecting and removing malware: Malware, which includes viruses, ransomware, spyware, and Trojans, can compromise your personal data. A robust anti-virus system scans for these threats, blocking them before they can infect your devices.

• Protecting sensitive information: As you browse the web, anti-virus software works in the background to monitor potential threats and protect sensitive data. This includes such as passwords, credit card details, and personal identification.

• Preventing phishing attacks: Phishing is a tactic cybercriminals use to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information through fraudulent emails or websites. Many anti-virus solutions now come with anti-phishing tools that detect suspicious activities and alert users.

• Securing real-time updates: Anti-virus software often provides real-time updates, ensuring you’re protected against the latest viruses and malware variations. It’s critical because new cyber threats emerge daily, and outdated protection software won’t offer adequate defense.

Free Anti-virus: Is It Good Enough?

Some users opt for free anti-virus solutions.  While many of these services can offer basic protection against digital attacks, they do not include some of the quality-of-life features that premium solutions offer.

The free anti-virus software provided by Bitdefender, however, keeps you shielded and ethreats at all times, with top level detection and minimum impact on your computer’s resources. It boasts protection against ransomware attacks, rootkits and trojans, zero-day exploits, cryptojacking and ever-evolving AI-powered threats such as “spearphishing”.

Bitdefender’s free solution remains a great option if you frequently engage in online activities that require exposing personal data like shopping and banking, or if you save lots of sensitive personal information to your browsers.

Digital Footprint Safety Tips

Your digital footprint is an ever-present aspect of your online life. Protecting it requires more than just anti-virus software, although that plays a crucial role.  To further enhance your safety, consider following these digital footprint safety tips.

• Use strong, unique passwords: Avoid using easily guessable passwords like “123456” or “password.” Instead, create complex passwords using a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring not only your password but also a second form of verification. This can be a text message or email code.

• Regularly update software and apps: Keeping your operating system, apps, and anti-virus software updated ensures that known vulnerabilities are patched, reducing the likelihood of a cyber-attack.

• Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive accounts (such as banking or email) over public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are often unsecured, making it easier for hackers to intercept your data.

• Limit personal information sharing online: Be mindful of the information you share on social media and other public platforms. The less personal information you put out, the smaller your digital footprint and the lower your risk of being targeted.

• Clear your browsing history and cookies regularly: This minimizes the trail of data you leave behind, making it harder for cybercriminals to track your online activity.

Conclusion

In a world where your digital footprint grows with every click and interaction, safeguarding your online presence is paramount. Whether you choose a free or paid antivirus solution, the key is ensuring your digital footprint remains as secure as possible from the ever-evolving world of cyber threats.

Children have more access to age-restricted and sensitive content online. While some websites have basic age verification systems in place, let’s face it, anyone can get past them, especially if you’re curious enough to see what’s on these sites.

To protect children and teens during online activities, the US Senate passed two bills in August 2024, namely the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (KOSPA) and the Children’s and Teens Online Protection Act (COPPA 2.0).

Both bills aim to keep social media companies accountable for keeping kids safe while they’re on the Internet, and as a response, some platforms have started using biometrics to prevent minors from creating accounts or accessing age-restricted content.

There has been a lot discourse about the pros and cons of biometric security. Although parents have every reason to be concerned about it, biometrics has the potential to keep kids safe, especially at a time when they can access everything with a tap on a screen. Here’s how social media and websites are using biometrics to keep children safe online.

Facial Age Estimation

Depending on how it’s used, biometrics can be a gamechanger or a threat when it comes to protecting individuals online. Since it’s impossible to replicate human characteristics such as fingerprints or facial features, it can be highly useful for things like online banking or digital payments.

However, there’s always the risk of data breaches since poor data management practices can lead to fingerprints or facial scans being compromised. This is why social media platforms and websites should prioritize securing biometric data, especially if they intend to use it to restrict minors.

One such platform that has started implementing stricter measures to verify users’ age is Instagram. Typically, social media sites would just ask users to input their birthday to create an account, but Instagram has started using a facial age estimation software called Yoti for biometric analysis. The software prevents users from representing themselves as older or younger than they really are, which means that it’s not just kids who are prevented from making accounts, but also older people who intend to prey on children and teens online.

To address privacy concerns, Instagram’s owner, Meta Platforms Inc., says that the stills from video selfies are deleted immediately after verification, and adds that Yoti cannot recognize a user’s identity based on their videos or pictures.

Digital ID

Apart from selfies or real-time video clips, biometric systems can also use digital IDs to prove that a person is old enough to access content or use certain platforms. Although there are concerns that they might be accessed by cybercriminals, digital IDs are in fact incredibly safe since they require multi-factor authentication and data encryption, making identity theft nearly impossible.

Certain states, such as Georgia, are now requiring people to submit digital IDs to access pornography websites, or any other site that is deemed to be harmful to minors. Doing so restricts children and teens from viewing explicit material, as well as simulated sex acts or animated porn.  Other states that have passed or agreed to pass age verification laws on pornographic websites include Florida, Alabama, Nebraska, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Mississipi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Virginia, Utah, and Texas.

Multi-Authentication Using Biometrics is on the Horizon

It’s only a matter of time before we see popular platforms use multi-authentication processes to prove a user’s identity and protect minors during online activities. Apart from age verification with an ID and selfie capture, websites may use systems for biometric authentication, deepfake detection, and document verification to prevent even the most advanced Internet users from faking their identities. We can also expect these systems to have global coverage, enabling them to access data from different parts of the world.

Protecting kids and teenagers from harmful content, as well as stalkers and cybercriminals, should be a priority at all times. Biometrics can keep children safe while they’re online, but parents and teachers should also do their part to monitor kids’ online activities and educate them on best practices to keep them out of harm’s way while they’re on the Internet.