Brauns Law March 2019

404-418-8244 MAR 2019 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

LEVEL UP How to Help Your Teen Make Their Choice

Did you know that outside of Hollywood, more movies and TV shows are made in Atlanta than anywhere else in the United States? It’s pretty cool to see our city become such a big player in the world of entertainment, but I have to wonder if we should be getting into video games instead. Last year, video games eclipsed television as the most profitable and popular form of entertainment in the world. I grew up playing video games myself and heard many warnings that “games will rot your brain.” I’m happy to report my brain is still fully intact. That’s because video games can actually be pretty helpful. As Jane McGonigal points out in her book “Reality Is Broken,” gaming can help kids improve problem-solving skills and self- confidence. But games have changed a lot since the heyday of “Pac-Man” and “Super Mario Bros.” Today, parents should worry less about video games rotting our kids’ brains and more about the rise of online multiplayer games. Games like “Madden,” “Fortnite,” “Street Fighter,” and “Splatoon,” are popular among kids of all ages, and these games are have online modes where kids can play with friends and strangers. Online gaming presents all sorts of social risks that gamers in my day never had to deal with. And with games being more popular than ever, it’s time that parents gain the tools to help kids navigate this new world. Learn What They’re Playing This is important in every area of media. As parents, it’s our jobs to learn about the

games are kids are playing. The Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) provides movie-style ratings for all titles, as well as descriptions of what you’ll find in the gameplay. Looking up the game on Wikipedia or YouTube can also provide valuable insight beyond the box art. appropriate for your kids, you still have to worry about what strangers on the internet may say over chat. Online voice and text chats are notoriously toxic places, full of bigoted comments, bad attitudes, and bullying. The best move is to disable the public chat feature for young children. Chatting with friends is a big appeal of online games, so if your kids want to set up a private chat with their friends, you can configure it so nobody else can enter. This middle ground allows for the positives of a shared online experience while limiting the negatives. Monitor Microtransactions Here’s something we didn’t have to worry about when I was gaming! Back in the “old days,” once you were out of quarters, you were done playing “Donkey Kong.” Today, many games have in-game purchases, called microtransactions. At best, these add-ons are optional content that have a minimal impact on the gamer’s experience. At worst, they’re a rapacious pay-to-play tactic designed specifically to obtain more money from players. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about kids spending thousands of dollars on in-game purchases. It’s shockingly easy to do, so it’s important to keep financial Disable Public Chat Even if you decide a game itself is

information out of your kids’ hands. Most games will allow you to add funds to a player’s account piecemeal or connect a bank account directly. If your kids have to do microtransactions, I recommend the first option. That way, your child will never spend a fortune behind your back. Practice Safe Online Behavior The same tips that apply to every area of our digital lives also apply to gaming. A username like “RainbowQuartz2k19”or “wolf359” may sound dumb, but it protects your kids’ anonymity. All online accounts should have strong passwords, and kids should never respond to unsolicited messages, period. Teaching your kids these tactics early will benefit them for the rest of their lives. I’m too busy to be logging onto online games every night, but I recognize that this is a pastime my kid and a lot of their peers may enjoy. Whether you think it’s a revolutionary new form of entertainment or a nonsensical pursuit, parents owe it our kids to learn a little about online gaming and help keep them safe. -David Brauns

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Get the Most Out of Your Digital Home Assistant

More and more people are welcoming in the Amazon Echo or the Google Home into their spaces. Everyone knows they make great Bluetooth speakers and can tell you the weather forecast, but they’re also capable of so much more. Digital assistants can do a variety of tasks depending on how much you want them to do for you. For example, if you want your digital assistant to be heavily involved in your daily life, you can use the Echo or the Home as the core of your “connected home.” You can connect numerous compatible devices to these assistants, including other Bluetooth or networked speakers, lights, thermostats, coffee makers, refrigerators, and even microwaves. Of course, therein lies the challenge — you must have compatible devices to make a connected home efficient. And let’s be honest: Many of us aren’t going to buy a connected fridge or Wi-Fi enabled lightbulbs just to get the most out of our digital assistants.

What you can do, however, is make use of what you already have. Here are some ways to put your digital assistants to work without committing to a connected home. Both the Echo and the Home make excellent communication hubs. In the home, they can be used as a local intercom system. Do you have a few Echo Dots or Google Home Minis? If you do, you’re set. You can communicate in any room where another device is present. your contacts (or the person you’re trying to contact has an Echo or Home), you can easily make the connection. Want to send a text message? No problem! You can dictate a text to anyone in your smartphone’s contact list and send it without ever touching your phone. Aside from communications, the assistants can handle calendars, appointments, emails, and more. You can ask for information relevant to you, like “When Your digital assistant can also make outgoing calls. As long as the device has access to

is my flight again?” Google Home can recognize your voice, or the voice of anyone in the house, and respond accordingly. There’s no worry that anyone’s calendar or appointments will be mixed up with yours. If you want to learn more, search for tutorials online. We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to what these digital assistants can do for you.

Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“Great office to work with. You are treated like family by the staff of Brauns Law, and they show they truly care about you as a person, not just a number. Helpful staff willing to answer all your questions and give you guidance during the stressful time after an accident. I highly recommend Brauns Law if you need an accident attorney.” –Tiffany

“I had the most pleasant experience with everyone in the office. They really do care about you and your recovery.” –April “Great experience — no complaints at all. Very helpful, responsive, and answered all of my questions during a very uncertain time. Very pleased with the outcome. Thank you, Brauns Law!” –Angie

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Getting a Drink? Be Smart About It! Georgia is ranked sixth in the nation for drunk driving with around 400 DUI-related fatalities every year. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks with friends responsibly, but 3 Solutions to Prevent Drunk Driving

use when you’re too drunk to walk in a straight line. With this app, you can order a cab, find your location, or call a preprogrammed contact by clicking one of three buttons on the homepage. SaferRide is available for both Android and Apple. Designated Driver Alternative Did you party more than you planned to and don’t want to leave your car somewhere overnight? Designated Driver Alternative can

there is something wrong with getting behind the wheel of a car after having those drinks. If you are planning on having a drink, remember these resources so you won’t be the driver whose mistake costs someone else their life.

Ride-Share Apps Ride-share apps are great for when you know you’re going to hit the town and don’t want to worry about your car. Download an app to your smartphone and you can request a driver to pick you up and drop you off anywhere at almost any time. The most popular ride- share apps are Lyft and Uber, but in Atlanta, you can also use the Atlanta Checker Cab app to reserve a taxi cab — though this app has been known to crash often. SaferRide “Too drunk to drive means too drunk for complicated apps,” reads the description of this app created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. SaferRide is designed to be the easiest app to

WORD SEARCH March These services can help you do the right thing after a night of fun, but only you can be responsible for your own choices. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver or some other act of negligence, take action now. Call 404-418-8244 and make sure you have all the resources you need to get the justice you deserve. get you and your car home safely. Started by the nonprofit charity Atlanta Fundraising Foundation, Inc., this service is dedicated to ending drunk driving and making our roads safer. There’s no app, but you can request a ride by calling or texting their phone number. Learn more about Designated Driver Alternative at DD-Alt.com.

ASPARAGUS AND AVOCADO SOUP

This hearty soup is the perfect meal for those late winter days when you think spring will never come. It can be made vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for the chicken stock.

Ingredients • 12 ounces asparagus • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped • 2 cups chicken stock

• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss asparagus and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 10 minutes. 3. Transfer asparagus to blender. Add remaining ingredients and puree until smooth. 4. Season to taste and serve. Inspired by CookEatPaleo.com

ASH BIRDS DAY FAT FLOWERS FORWARD GRAS

LAMB LEPRECHAUN LION MARCH MARDI PARADE PATRICKS

RAINBOW SHAMROCK SPRING TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

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404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

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Online Gaming Tips for Parents

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Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Digital Home Assistant?

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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How You Can Reduce Drunk Driving in Georgia

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Asparagus and Avocado Soup

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The History of Snoozing

The History of Snoozing

schedules. Medieval society actually had two sleep sessions a night — known as biphasic sleep — with a gap of wakefulness in between to eat, pray, talk, read, or write by candlelight. But by the 1920s, this practice of having two sleep sessions each night entirely receded from the social consciousness. Historians attribute this shift to innovations in artificial lighting and work schedules during the Industrial Revolution that required workers to stay up longer and sleep less. Cozy Blankets Most people find it difficult to sleep without some kind of covering, like a blanket, over their bodies. While researchers of the past entertained the idea that blankets offer some kind of primal protection for sleepers, they now believe the coverings help with temperature regulation, as maintaining a comfortable body temperature is necessary for good sleep. However, according to a recent study conducted in Sweden, weighted blankets help with much more than just temperature. Due to the added pressure, weighted blankets provide deep pressure touch (DPT), which increases the body’s amount of serotonin — a chemical that helps decrease blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Because of the effects of increased serotonin, weighted blankets are believed to help with anxiety and insomnia. While sleep patterns may change over time, the human need for sleep will not. As you crawl into your bed tonight, take some time to think about the way your ancestors approached their nightly snooze sessions. It’ll put you to sleep faster than counting sheep.

How the Art of Sleep Has Changed Over Time

There are few things in life that feel better than crawling into a comfy bed after a long day. Sleep is an essential part of human health. After a mere 24 hours of sleep deprivation, bodily functions and mental faculties start to go haywire, and 11 days seems to be the longest a person can live without sleep. While people acknowledge that sleep has always been a necessary part of human existence, very few know how drastically nightly routines have changed over time. Here are three significantly different historical approaches to sleep. Brain Floods For centuries, theorists associated sleep with blood loss and other health problems. But by the 1800s, notable physicians blamed sleep on a process known as congestion theory. In this theory, sleep was thought to be brought on by an overwhelming flow of blood to the brain, effectively flooding it and sending sleepers into a dreamlike state. Sleep Gaps While many modern sleep experts support the consecutive eight-hour sleep regimen, historically, people had completely different sleep

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