Children’s App Reviews: Does Money Talk? Part Three

Sept. 9, 2015 It’s been an insightful, wild ride learning about the kids app industry...from the “Inside, Out.” In Part One we talked about the imperative need for transparency and media literacy in children’s app reviews with “expedited review” paid policies not being readily disclosed... In Part Two we focused on the face-off between app developers and reviewers about … [Read more...]

Strong Is The New Pretty: Interview with Kate T. Parker

April 30, 2015 Adamant as I am about shifting appearance cues in the media towards a "whole person" lens, it's no surprise I was thrilled to hear photographer Kate T. Parker's catchphrase, "Strong is the new pretty" was not only commanding my own teen daughter's attention on Instagram, or that of my colleagues in our Brave Girls Alliance,  but that her hit photo series was … [Read more...]

The Hashtag Bowl: Media Literacy Opportunities (Pt 2)

Jan. 30, 2015 Whether it’s using hit movies like Frozen as an icebreaker to talk about social shunning, bullying, social emotional tough stuff or Super Bowl ads as learning tools to ferret out what’s REALLY being said, sold, packaged, and presented at every age and stage, Shaping Youth is all about leveraging pop culture touch points as ‘teachable moments’ to instill critical … [Read more...]

Wrapping Up the Gift of Time: Part Two Hunger Games

Update Dec. 21, 2014 Every year my teen prefers experiential "go-see-do" gifts to anything I can wrap up and put under the tree, (other than a GoPro which was a 'save up' winner for a milestone birthday) and so every year I have had a media "spin off" that segues from pop culture pervasiveness into an offline unplugged  adventure. Studies show that presence over presents … [Read more...]

TOADY Awards: Vote for Worst Toy and Inspire Change

Dec. 4, 2014 Every year I twist into a cartoon grimace and let out an “AAUGH!” like Charlie Brown when I scan the CCFC contenders on the TOADY "worst toys" list. (TOADY=Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children)As much as I try to flip my lens toward what’s making waves with worthiness, there’s always one on the list that makes me stop and vote, “oh, no they … [Read more...]