Virtual Worlds Are Still Unwritten: Can We Move Beyond Consumption?

Natasha Bedingfield’s performing in Habbo's teen virtual world April 10th and her hit song ironically correlates to the future of this kids’ digital platform, as she sings, “I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined...I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned.” As the Virtual Worlds 2008 conference wraps up, it’s no … [Read more...]

Role Modeling Resiliency: How Are Kids’ Coping Skills?

Update April 15, 2013 Don't miss this worthwhile post by Lori Day on 10 Ways to Raise Resilient Kids in Turbulent Times on HuffPo; excellent piece with tips galore; especially fitting for tragic headline news days such as today. Also adding this to my post about natural disasters awhile back: Quaking Kids + Headline News: How Much is Too Much to remind parents of young kids to … [Read more...]

Shaping Youth Features “All Girls Week:” A Gender Discussion

As we wrap up Women’s History Month this March, Shaping Youth kicks off a full week of “all things girl, asking the $10,000 question, have we gone forwards or backwards in shaping youth the last two decades? We'll start with the 'whorses' of the new Strutz line of toys targeting femme/Freud in the 4-8 demographic, (eesh) and segue to Packaging Girlhood in its … [Read more...]

Youth Engagement In Virtual Walk for Water (World Water Day)

Update Mar. 22, 2016 World Water Day  As the privatization of water controversy makes a splash with multinational corporations like Coke and Nestle jockeying to be part of the scarcity solution, (sigh) "awareness raising" needs to go beyond "cup half empty or full" questions to massive critical thinking about interdependence and human rights. How will we unify? … [Read more...]

How to Turn People Green

Update: Mar. 16, 2013 Irish or not, you knew we’d feature green today, as famous landmarks light up in green throughout the globe for St Patrick's Day...We're going to continue our eco-focus gearing up for National Wildlife Week March 18-24, 2013 to turn kids from 'eco-worriers to eco-warriors' ...so put your green LifeGoggles on and find out How to Turn Your Parents … [Read more...]