Nov. 13, 2014 "There is no girls’ friendship drama that can’t be made WORSE… through staying silent, venting behind a friend’s back, or pretending things are just peachy," writes tweens and teens … [Read more...]
Her Next Chapter: Media Literacy Puts Mothers-Daughters On Same Page
May 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
April 17, 2015 Update In honor of National Library Week as I put the finishing touches on my presentation tomorrow about gender stereotypes and navigating unhealthy cues to kids, I'm sending a loud … [Read more...]
Using “Frozen” as an Icebreaker For Meaningful Chats With Kids
March 2, 2014 by 2 Comments
Nov. 22, 2019 Frozen 2: With the opening weekend of Frozen 2 and a script laced with big topics from tribalism to ethnic genocide, there are icebreakers and family history springboards aplenty. … [Read more...]
Mattel’s Manipulative Monster High Marketing Machine: Unkind.
June 15, 2012 by
June 15, 2012 Last year when I wrote about Mattel’s vampy campy Monster High dolls I purposely didn’t even name their brand, hoping it would quietly fizzle and bury itself in the outcry of parents … [Read more...]
Sesame Street Takes On Bullying in Shows, Talking Points
October 18, 2011 by 3 Comments
Oct. 18, 2011 “Look at those feet!” Big Bird is told. “They’re ridiculous!” --“They are?”As he tries to get accepted into the “Good Bird Club,” he shifts from “happy to be me” to hanging his feathered … [Read more...]
Survivor, The Lunch Table Edition: SEL to Prevent Bullying
September 6, 2011 by 8 Comments
Sept. 6, 2011 As school starts this week for the very few left that haven’t had summer short-circuited with August start dates, we’re continuing our focus on solutions-based media to ramp up Social … [Read more...]
Rachel Simmons Chats About Mythbusting “Mean Girl” Media
August 31, 2011 by 7 Comments
Aug. 31 2011 Transitioning back to school is tough, especially when media and marketing blitzes the ‘what could be’ fear dynamics of peer acceptance based on what you wear, how you look, and who you … [Read more...]
Sony May Singe Itself: Slimy Innuendo Ignites Backdraft
September 2, 2010 by 6 Comments
September 2, 2010 Without a doubt, guerrilla marketing campaigns can be effective disruptors as well as clever marketing and teaching tools for advertising AND media literacy. But what happens when … [Read more...]
Toxic Teen Messaging In A K-Mart/Alloy Episodic: The First Day
September 1, 2010 by 19 Comments
September 1, 2010 It’s the first of September, as the first day of school angst bubbles up throughout the nation on either side of this ‘premiere’ week. (many have started school already, some are … [Read more...]
Raising Authentic Girls: Rachel Simmons’ “Be You! The Real Girl Tour”
August 31, 2010 by 7 Comments
August 31, 2010 “Be you!” Riiiiight. In a media environment that cynically exploits how to act, what to wear, why to buy and who to be, girls are repeatedly told to "be themselves." GirlsHealth … [Read more...]
A HUGE Breakthrough for TV: Nuance Trumps Vapid Vixens Aplenty
August 12, 2010 by 4 Comments
August 12, 2010 In part one and part two of my posts about ABC Family’s Huge premiere, I hoped to see the show evolve from the hope and promise of some stellar scriptwriter ‘attachments’ to actually … [Read more...]
A HUGE Opportunity: Don’t Blow It ABC Family (Pt 1)
June 24, 2010 by 13 Comments
June 24, 2010 “An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.” ---Bill Bernbach Those timeless words of the venerable ad legend capture the power and potential of … [Read more...]
Age of Conversation & Kids: Digital Citizens v Snark Tanks
May 26, 2010 by 8 Comments
May 26, 2010 When I mention social media being part of kids’ identity, parents often cringe and squinch up their faces like I’ve force fed them BeanBoozled Jelly Bellies in pickle and ‘rotten egg’ … [Read more...]
Media Hypefest: Is Prom the New Wedding? A Teen’s Perspective
May 7, 2010 by 7 Comments
May 7, 2010 As the last vestiges of prom wind down along with Girls Rights Week, I wanted to land one last post in the queue exploring media and marketing’s impact on kids' expectations, reality show … [Read more...]
Using Kid Lit To Read The Right Message About Bullying
April 18, 2010 by 12 Comments
April 18, 2010 Many of you know I clench when I hear the word ‘reporter’ (even though I’m one and the same, it’s different when you’re behind the keyboard) because media has powerful potential to … [Read more...]
Author Rosalind Wiseman Brings Youth Editors Into YA KidLit Process
February 8, 2010 by 7 Comments
Feb. 8, 2010 I bought a copy of the new YA novel by renowned author Rosalind Wiseman of Queen Bees & Wannabes bestseller fame, called “Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials” ...As soon as it … [Read more...]
Gossip Girl November Sweeps Schtick Predictably Trashy
November 10, 2009 by 12 Comments
Nov. 10, 2009 No, I didn’t watch the heavily promoted Gossip Girl ‘threesome’ shock schlock last night that sent the Parents Television Council rightfully into a tizzy, but frankly I didn’t need to, … [Read more...]
Curse of the Good Girl: Interview with Rachel Simmons
August 29, 2009 by 22 Comments
August 29, 2009 “Aw, mom, it sounds boring, why do I have to hear some ‘expert’ talk about stuff I already know…Are any of MY friends going to be there?” Those were my ten year old daughter’s words … [Read more...]
