A snapshot from the teen camera lens: 48 hours of blogging

Three-quarters of girls age 8-12 would like to change something about their bodies, and by 16 more than one-quarter already want plastic surgery? Egad. I decided to track the Dove self-esteem forum to review the most recent 48 hours of 'teenspeak' and see how much these stats are 'media spin' or over-reporting. Not many, I'm afraid. Check it out... Dialogue has now surged … [Read more...]

Digital media’s helpful “Ask the Expert” forums

The next time you have a random zinger of a question about kids’ behavior, health, food, or challenges, take advantage of myriad online experts in digital media. There’s a wealth of knowledge free for the asking in a wide array of disciplines: Children's mental health. Teen conundrums. Baby sleep issues. Gifted children. Media habits. From children’s … [Read more...]

Celeb pop culture & media tipping point of toxicity

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Aretha earned it. Lindsay wants it. Paris lacks it. Beyoncé & Britney had it, hit some high notes, then vamped it away.Our media culture is so fraught with ‘trashy party girl’ celebrity coverage and peekaboo wardrobe malfunctions papering the blogosphere, it’s no wonder kids’ behavioral cues are getting fouled up beyond recognition.What goes into kids’ minds … [Read more...]

Shaping Youth with an intelligent vote

How many times have you received a ‘sample ballot’ and groaned at the conniving spins and political backwash to the point where it takes full concentration whether to even check ‘yes or no’ because of the way the dang thing is written? Face it, rather than read the endless ‘rebuttal to argument in favor of xyz’ prose, many busy people now … [Read more...]

Media Savvy Kids & Nature Deficit Disorder

Young kids may be getting media savvy earlier, but many have never seen a campfire or been on a hiking trail, and wouldn’t know a wilderness experience if it bit ‘em on the backside. In fact, a British study akin to the 'Ronald McDonald vs. the President' face recognition phenom where kids could name the clown but not the nation's leader found that 8-year-olds … [Read more...]