Ypulse Essentials: Girls' Flag Football, YouTube Turns 5, 'Whiz Kids'

Young Hollywood Awards (brings out usual tween faves like the Jonas Brothers, “Twilight” stars.. and a surprising commercial for Svedka Vodka. All the more reason why FTC is being asked to investigate alcohol brands marketing to minors online via games, viral video ads and other new platforms) (Variety, reg. required) (MediaPost, reg. required)

- Teen ‘social media butterflies’ (may be more well-adjusted according to recent studies. Key quote from this Los Angeles Times article: “it is largely the child, not the technology or even the time a kid spends using it, that seems to influence how safely he or she will navigate the digital world.” Word. Also is Google next in line to lose the Gen Y vote of confidence over privacy issues.. and will strategic changes to privacy settings at MySpace win them back?) (ZDNet) (The Social Times)

- Flag football (on the rise with high school girls in Florida. Also new research shows emphasizing the appearance-damaging aspects of frequent tanning may be a more effective deterrent than health risk warnings) (New York Times, reg. required) (The Telegraph)

- Stephenie Meyer invites ‘Twilight’ fan sites (to a personal mini-press junket for the upcoming release of “Eclipse.” Plus Disney announces the next pic in the “Pirates” franchise will be in 3D) (MTV News) (Variety, reg. required)

- YouTube turns 5 (and with two billion video views a day, the video hub has much to celebrate. On that note critics are wondering if Greyson Chace is really a viral phenomenon or the result of a highly effective stealth marketing campaign?) (New York Times, reg. required) (Christian Science Monitor)

- 3D gaming on Pixi (is coming soon. Also Microsoft announces its Wii challenger Project Natal, which will demo at the upcoming E3 Expo and be out in October) (Business Insider)

- Ford Fiesta launches traditional media blitz (along with experimental social media campaigns to target Gen Y drivers) (The Detroit News)

- ‘Whiz Kids’ (is a cool-looking new documentary following the teens who enter the Intel Science Talent Search contest) (Pop Candy)

- YouTern launches (as a new community looking to hook up college students with startups. And another social network for students peaks investors’ interest: Grockit just raised $7 million in its latest round of funding) (ReadWriteWeb) (The Social Times)

P.S. Check out “Before You Were Hot” for a little comic relief from the ladies behind I Heart Daily.