Teen Talk Equals Ticketing, Even Driving Hands-Free

Well, it’s D-day for driving, teens. Much like the KFF study on teen media multitasking, lawmakers in California, cellphone capitol of the über-wired, have decided kids are driven to distraction, so it's now officially ticket-city for teens...even if you’re using hands-free wireless. (DMV details here) Don’t ask me how the police can tell the … [Read more...]

Media Rules! Shaping Youth Interviews Brian Reich

We interrupt this series on product placement and new FCC media rules to add a very pertinent voice into the mix, digital dynamo Brian Reich, co-author with Dan Solomon of Media Rules! Brian Reich understands new media’s opportunity to do positive, GOOD things beyond just ‘sell stuff’ so before I dive further into my Part 3 stance on the need for … [Read more...]

Adina’s Deck Gives Kids A Clue on Solving Cyberbullying Mysteries

In the wake of yesterday’s federal grand jury cyberbullying indictment of a twisted MySpace hoax which resulted in a teen’s suicide, it seems a good time to revisit the cruelty of the schoolyard. Except for one small thing…It didn’t happen in the schoolyard... The perp was a MOM. (CBS video, and Larry Magid's analysis/podcast here) Maybe if the … [Read more...]

Precedent Setting Cyberbullying Indictment for Missouri Mom

“The world would be a better place without you.” Just think about that phrase for awhile. Let it sink in. Feel the pain. I don’t care if it was directed to a cockroach, it still merits introspection as to why it would be uttered at all, by any human being...even though the explanation was an attempt to 'break up' a non-existent relationship in a virtual … [Read more...]

Preteen Tips on Nutrition, Body Image & “How to Say it To Girls”

“Faced with conflicting messages from parents, peers, and media, many preteens -- both boys and girls -- develop negative views about their bodies and have trouble making healthful food and exercise choices.” That was the lead-in line at the Kaiser Permanente and Preteen Alliance event where I spoke today as the ‘media expert’ along with Ann Tipton, … [Read more...]