Sept. 14, 2017 An update on the unhealthy cues sent to kids with BoxTops for Education, via Harvard Chan School of Public Health podcast which nails the core problem quite succinctly. The program is … [Read more...]
Deconstructing Spongebob, Pt2: A Preschool Parenting Lens
September 20, 2011 by 1 Comment
Sept. 20, 2011 In part one, the prelude to this post, I tried to frame the notion of critical thinking skills as a sphere to hold up to the light and rotate slowly instead of banging out opinions in … [Read more...]
Deconstructing Spongebob: Reasoning, Research, & Critical Thinking
September 19, 2011 by 6 Comments
Sept. 19, 2011 “So, Amy, whose side are you on with the pundits talking and the press reporting about the new University of Virginia Spongebob research?” Whaaaa? Sides? Really? That's cartoonish, … [Read more...]
FCC Chair Receives Our Coalition Letter on Product Placement
September 24, 2009 by 2 Comments
Sept. 24, 2009 Shaping Youth is part of this coalition (15pp pdf here) joining over 50 signatories on "FCC Docket 08-90." As a nonpartisan, non-censorship, nonprofit recall I support two key … [Read more...]
SmartyCard’s Summer Challenge With Scholastic: Heads Up for Fall!
May 28, 2009 by 18 Comments
May 28, 2009 I was just about to post an in-depth review and analysis of the merits and watch-worthy aspects of the new SmartyCard.com "learn and earn" kids' program for 3rd-6th graders, when I … [Read more...]
Will Internet Ads Become The Leaf Blowers Of Digital Media?
May 21, 2009 by Leave a Comment
May 21, 2009 Seguing from the clever Google search logos and their homepage fun to this one at left from "Ask"...I must "ask" dear readers...Who would like to join me in a childish, lip-fluttering … [Read more...]
Consider This: Virtual Worlds In Institutional Settings
May 7, 2009 by 2 Comments
May 7, 2009 See this smiling face? Meet my goddaughter, Lara, who recently turned 12. We gifted her an Elf Island 'virtual world' membership for 'premium content' as part of her B-Day celebration. … [Read more...]
In Bed With Branding: Virtual Worlds Pair With Children’s Hospitals
May 3, 2009 by 4 Comments
May 3, 2009 What's with all the children's hospitals partnering and news-making so much as of late? This spring, “Operation Teen Book Drop” gave bed bound kids across the country over 8000 titles … [Read more...]
Shaping Youth Co-Sponsors “Consuming Kids” Movie Premiere!
April 3, 2009 by 7 Comments
April 2, 2009 Academic rockstars are descending upon U.C. Berkeley April 24th, as CCFC leaders speak in person on the commercialization of childhood and the impact on our culture!Shaping Youth is … [Read more...]
FCC: Kids Programming Is Laden With Product Placement
October 22, 2008 by 10 Comments
That’s my official FCC filing at left, (squeaked in under the deadline today, explained why later) which emphatically states kids should be OFF LIMITS to embedded ads designed to bypass the Tivo … [Read more...]
This Vacation is Brought to You By…(Part 2: Branding Partnerships)
June 27, 2008 by 12 Comments
Cruise news, trip tips, kids' brand loyalty pitches at cheerleading camps, sports and spa getaways... Who's sponsoring your 'fun?' Are you aware? Cruise lines are wisely using their own social … [Read more...]
