STUDIO 2BSM Webcast Connects Teens to Virtual Peers

November 25, 2003

By Ursula Castrillon and Ellen Christie, staff writers

At what age should I start dating? I just moved from a new school and nobody seems to like me—what should I do? I think my sister is purging—how can I help her? These and other questions from teens worldwide were answered at a live STUDIO 2B webcast in November.

Empowering Girls Everywhere

Sponsored by Westfield Shoppingtowns and broadcast live from South Shore Mall in New York, the webcast was the second virtual get-together for STUDIO 2B members this year. According to Tonya Leslie from Girl Scouts of the USA (the creators of STUDIO 2B), "STUDIO 2B webcasts empower girls by giving them a safe outlet to discuss issues that concern them."

With prompting from Karen Bokram, webcast host and editor of Girls' Life Magazine, the webcast's teen panelists spoke freely, while girls emailed questions about issues like stress and setting parameters when dating. The teen panelists are members of STUDIO 2B via the Suffolk County Girl Scouts in New York. Along with professional advisors, they expressed their points of view to the live audience and for incoming online questions.

Connecting Teens

Teen TV celebrities chimed in with advice via video. Camille Winbush from Fox Network's The Bernie Mac Show and Ashleigh Brillault from ABC's Lizzie Maguire spoke of their own experiences. Online advice columnist and author Dr. Harriet S. Mosatche, or Dr. M as she is known by STUDIO 2B Web site visitors, answered the tougher questions. She tackled issues like self-esteem and dealing with stress.

Fifteen-year-old Elyssa, seated in the live audience, related to the topics discussed by the panelists. "It's good to hear from other girls about schools, grades, boys, and all the things that we have going on. It makes me feel like I'm not alone. That we're all going through the same things," she said.

To see the webcast, click here. For more information on the STUDIO 2B webcast, read the news release. To learn more about STUDIO 2B go to www.studio2b.org.