Back up the train. When I started Shaping Youth, I’d been writing in very basic form for the now dormant Common Sense Media blog, using easy explanations to discuss how commercialism and digital ads were influencing kids at undetected levels far off parental radar. Since then, Shaping Youth has evolved to a deeper level of analysis of media messaging, and I realize I … [Read more...]
Update Sept. 29, 2016 Today is National Coffee Day! While these Harvard studies for ADULTS caffeine intake bring us a few 'ahhh' morning moments, this AAP study with KIDS could have parents steaming, as it points to the dangers of children's consumption (especially energy drinks) and notes consumption by teens age 17, 18 has doubled over the last decade. With Starbucks … [Read more...]
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the Wall Street Journal 'stimulus plan for candy,' focusing on the jolt-n-crash “caffeine candy bars” flooding the retail mix to join energy drinks and the even more mind-boggling stupidity stunts in the ‘shock schlock’ realm of drug-look-alike kiddie cocaine. (As if kids aren’t jacked up enough with twitch games and rapid-fire media, let’s … [Read more...]
Update 2/18: (Taking the holiday off, will post part two of the series tmrw!)--- Kids DO listen to kids. No secret there. We use this fact in our counter-marketing tactics at Shaping Youth all the time...But what happens when 18-year old Blake Taylor turns the spotlight on himself (see today's S.F. Chronicle article) to debunk myths, elevate the conversation, and turn … [Read more...]
Or not…But let’s face it, Apple can plunk pink posies on a hot little screen and I’m still not kickin’ in $200 smackeroos even if it IS as their e-note says, “love at first sight.” (Cute promo though) Maybe a $15 itunes gift card…or a $5 hot pink cell gel case on ebay, but sheesh, since when did ‘pink think’ for kids … [Read more...]
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