The nature of tweens: Wired worlds & outdoor ed

Update 2013: National Parks Traveler reports NPS is considering adding Wi-Fi. This is a classic point/counter-point debate in terms of perpetuating the disconnect with nature or 'bridging' worlds w/safety-GPS techno tethers as modern day carabiners. Weigh in w/your thoughts? Here's more from Children and Nature Network. (Original Post 2006/Tweens and "Outdoor Ed") … [Read more...]

Wal-Mart elves: Crass commercialism, interactive ‘tude

We're barely back to school, it’s not remotely close to Halloween, yet the mass muck of Christmas consumerism is filling the aisles, as marketers turn up the volume on pester power to target parents relentlessly. Wal-Mart is leading the techno-begging frenzy with a whimsically cheerful interactive toyland site of smarmy back-talking elves with attitude. These … [Read more...]

School Sit-ups Sponsored by Soda-n-snacks?

Update 2015: When in doubt...buy 'em out. sigh. More Coke and soda obfuscation and payola with registered dieticians, pay for play research, junk science via medical sock puppets and obesity blame game shifting to position Coke as an 'energy balance' alternative. (facepalm) Unspeakable public health policy with  targeting kids of color Just really appalling marketing … [Read more...]

Tween Bait: Marketers Lure “Hook, Line & Sinker”

Tweens (8-12) are in the crosshairs of marketers as companies are relentlessly chasing a $51 billion 'opportunity.' Kids seem to be more aware of it than adults are, and that's a bit unsettling. Maybe parents should check out the cover story of Revenue magazine, "The Lure of Youth: Reeling in teens is a huge opportunity for online marketers. Don’t let the big one get … [Read more...]