Text Monster: Teen Tips On Digital Dating Obsessions

April 28, 2009 "Whatcha doin’? Who you with? Text me! Text me back!" When does 'caring' become controlling textual harrassment? What happens when the ‘connectivity’ that takes the form of digital grunts, ‘sup?’ ‘hey,’ ‘lol’ gets annoying even to kids themselves? “That’s not cool” is a fun Ad Council riff using sock puppets, tin can art, comedic fruit and graphic mixed … [Read more...]

When Art Meets Earth: Wyland’s Ocean Murals Inspire Kids to Care

April 23, 2009 Wyland unveiled his latest original art at the world premiere of Disneynature's Earth where it will remain on display through May at the historic El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. Mind you, few kids think of art as media, much less a distribution channel to evoke a sea change of dedication to the planet or any cause. Truth is, public art has the ability to … [Read more...]

Caring With Heart Earth Day, Everyday

April 20, 2009 As we enter into Earth Day (week? month? year?) we can either cynically report on the bandwagon marketing of the green scene with freebies, Earth Day cards (Gathering Home has a nice round-up) and other Earth Day tie-ins and giveaways, or we can embrace every effort from every corridor (corporation to kids) to help all ages begin to 'get it' and make small … [Read more...]

Congratulations to the 2009 Digital Media and Learning Winners!

April 15, 2009 No, it was not me. Remember this post about kids coping skills and resiliency? Same song, second verse. The MacArthur Foundation and HASTAC folks will announce 2009 winners tomorrow to the world, but here’s a sneak peek of who won which ironically, I had just stumbled upon yesterday and sent to my research associate Rebeca Montealegre Boyte who was outbound to … [Read more...]

Do Older Kids Outgrow Easter Egg Hunts and Dyeing Eggs?

April 12, 2009 Passover, Easter and religious convos aside, let’s just say EVERY generation seems to love spring fun and festivity. My parents hosted a pack of 85 year olds in an impromptu ‘just do it’ session awhile back and you’d think those ‘kids’ were 8 and 5 not eighty-five. In my house today, the Easter bunny got a bit creative with the teen scene, to hide her basket … [Read more...]