October 20, 2022 In an era that’s ushered in multitudes of media misinformation with societal outcomes ranging from extremist denialism and revisionist history to banned books and autocratic usurping … [Read more...]
The Hashtag Bowl: Media Literacy Opportunities (Pt 2)
January 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Jan. 30, 2015 Whether it’s using hit movies like Frozen as an icebreaker to talk about social shunning, bullying, social emotional tough stuff or Super Bowl ads as learning tools to ferret out what’s … [Read more...]
Homework? Super Bowl Ads and Media Literacy
January 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
January 27, 2015 After updating prior Super Bowl posts about the persuasion, impact, influence, and latest trends in Super Bowl Ads, (including this new NFL PSA against domestic violence) it's … [Read more...]
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Review Oscar Animation Nominees
February 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment
With so much Oscar chat about Frozen putting all other animation contenders on ice, I thought I’d “get beyond the buzz” of school, social media and neighborhood chatter to ask kids who are trained as … [Read more...]
Ground Hog Day: Super Bowl Sexism Keeps Popping Up
February 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Feb 2, 2013 It's Ground Hog Day and as reliable as Punxsutawney Phil, parents and pundits await to see what shadows will be cast on kids from the Super Bowl media hype blaring at surround sound … [Read more...]
Who Won the Debate? Kids’ Focus on Appearance Mirrors Our Country
October 4, 2012 by 2 Comments
Oct. 4, 2012 Ask any kindergartener to assess the debates last night and you’d probably hear simple reactions like: “He smiles more” or “He looks nicer” or “He looks like he didn’t study”…and … [Read more...]
Summer Fun & The War Play Dilemma (+Online Gaming Stats)
June 1, 2010 by 13 Comments
May 22, 2014 Adding this article from The Guardian Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare; a non-gamer's guide and Jinny Gudmundsen's Common Sense Media's post, "10 Most Violent Video Games and 10+ … [Read more...]
New Years Media Messages: Packaging Boyhood Meets The Hangover
December 29, 2009 by 9 Comments
Dec. 29, 2009 Last night I watched ‘The Hangover’ rated R, which I’d heard described by several YOUNG teens (meaning unable to buy a ticket unless sneaking in via diff. multiplex theater) as … [Read more...]
Counter-Marketing Thinspiration: Killer Media Cues
February 12, 2009 by 17 Comments
Feb. 12, 2009 Media literacy rule number one: Watch for extreme headlines that command attention. I could've gone with 'Fatal Attraction' or any other number of sensationalist eyecatchers. As you can … [Read more...]
Do Youth See Politicians As Puppets?
September 29, 2008 by Leave a Comment
As MyDebates.org gives kids a MySpace forum for Social Studies classrooms to attempt to instill a civic sense of ‘how it all works’ with “Who won? Who lost?’ Who made the … [Read more...]
Sensationalist Slop: “Dear Media, Please Do Your Job…”
September 19, 2008 by 3 Comments
Further to this week's article on ‘what sells’ in sensationalized media coverage, need we remind kids that the same thing applies to our upcoming election season? As children try to … [Read more...]
HFCS Ad Analysis: Dieticians Dissed, Media Literacy Mandatory
September 10, 2008 by 13 Comments
When I sounded off in HFCS Corn Wars about the ‘artificial sweetness’ of the ubiquitous HFCS ads, I promised I’d have our own nutrition correspondent, Rebecca Scritchfield weigh in … [Read more...]
Stage-Crafting Politics: Media Literacy Tips for Kids
September 4, 2008 by 6 Comments
Aug. 22, 2016 Update Excellent post by Diana Graber at Cyberwise "What to Tell Kids When Adults Behave Badly" which sadly validates, via Southern Poverty Law Center, how we've unraveled 15 years of … [Read more...]
