In Brief

By Lisa McLaughlin

COLOR ME BAD A new teen trend first emerged last Halloween in the guise of red demonic eyes, but orange and yellow eyes have become commonplace in some areas. To achieve these colors not found in either nature or the optometrist's office, kids are dyeing their soft contacts with ordinary food coloring. But food coloring is not sterile, and the American Optometric Association warns that the risk of infection, irritation and permanent eye damage is high.

PRIZES VS. PRIVACY Parents who let kids surf online without supervision may want to think again. Though most children and teens know they shouldn't give strangers personal information, a new study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that many young people feel it's O.K. to reveal potentially sensitive family data in exchange for a prize. Nearly 2 of 3 kids were willing to name their favorite stores, and about a third would tell about their parents' driving records, alcohol consumption, political discussions, work attendance and churchgoing habits.

EXTENDED-FAMILY VACATION Three-generation trips have increased 25% since 1994, in part because grandparents are living longer. They are also more likely to live farther from grandchildren than in years past, making vacation time important for maintaining family ties. On the rise too are grandparents and grandchildren traveling without the middle generation. A study found that 16% of senior trips include a grandchild, up from 5% in 1991. Grandtravel grandtrvl.com creates trips for all ages.

--By Lisa McLaughlin