Dec. 7, 2015: I've decided to freecycle the book I bought as my holiday gift to readers, so add your own "gift of failure" in the comments section (or tweet @ShapingYouth) for a chance to win it! … [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...]
2014: The Year Of Redefining Girly
January 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Jan. 10, 2014 Even in just the last 5 years or so since the American Psychological Association Task Force reported about the harm of early sexualization and its impact on children (full 72pp APA study … [Read more...]
SureFire Girls: Life Literacy For Teens in a Power-Packed Conference
October 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Oct. 8, 2013 As the parent of a teen graduating high school, spring was like a surreal montage of college tours, anticipation, excitement and questions swirling in my brain.Did I give her enough savvy … [Read more...]
Brave Girls Want To Put Media On A Different Frequency!
October 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Oct. 10, 2013 Update: At the end is a newly minted press release/activities update, and this great post by Adios Barbie crams a lot into a small package involving some of the partner organization … [Read more...]
Brave Girls Want: A Movement, Not a Moment.
September 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Sept. 11, 2013 Grand Finale Tally for IndieGoGo campaign ended at 11:59PT: $26,673 Sept. 9, 2013 Today marks the triumph of a grassroots groundswell over colossal corporate branding, with the … [Read more...]
Blizzard’s Snow Job: Security About As Tight As Parental Controls
November 14, 2012 by 2 Comments
Nov. 14, 2012 Call it karma, payback, or just ‘got caught,’ the class action lawsuit against Blizzard Entertainment (makers of mega-hits like Diablo, World of Warcraft, Starcraft etc) is really about … [Read more...]
Olympic Body Image: Talking Points To Get it Right, Fit vs Fiction
August 6, 2012 by 4 Comments
Aug. 9, 2016 Rio! This post still applies tenfold in terms of word watching and body image critiques of Olympic athletes! Media Smarts has added some parenting talking tips for boys/girls too! … [Read more...]
The Berenstain Bears Legacy Lives On Through Sons Mike and Leo
February 27, 2012 by 1 Comment
Feb. 27, 2012 Upon hearing of Berenstain Bears’ co-founder Jan Berenstain’s passing at 88 this past Friday, I’d like to send deepest condolences to the family, especially sons Mike (illustrator) and … [Read more...]
Storytelling Via Stickers: Girl-Caught Aims To Dial Down Disrespect
September 22, 2011 by 8 Comments
Sept. 22, 2011, Celebrating "Day of the Girl" Brands and broadcasters are always talking about “authentic engagement” and they’re about to get some. It all starts today, with New Moon Girls’ … [Read more...]
Dear Media: Please Change Your Channel of Influence
September 12, 2011 by 27 Comments
Sept 12, 2011 After the ludicrous JCPenney toxic tee-shirt with a wink and nod to academic underachievement "I'm Too Pretty For Math, So My Brother Has To Do It For Me" and the fabulous rapid-reply … [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...]
Girl Caught: New Moon Girls Slams Sexualization of Kids
July 7, 2011 by 14 Comments
July 7, 2011 Good news! New Moon Girls has created a prototype ‘virtual girl caught sticker’ you can slap on some of the repeat brand offenders commodifying kids to call ‘em out social media style…In … [Read more...]
Last Minute Mother’s Day Digital Gifts (Free Ones, Too!)
May 8, 2011 by 4 Comments
May 7, 2011 Update 5-8: To Mama With Love.org is a smidge away fm receiving a fund match; just $1K more in the next 8 hours to get $5K.extra. Can you help 'em? Ready to put your mom on the … [Read more...]
Recap of White House Conf on Bullying Prevention, Pt.1
March 18, 2011 by 7 Comments
Mar. 17, 2011 Unplugging for a day is a respite, but being gone for a week amidst news of tsunami disasters and first ever media moments like the March 10 White House Conference on Bullying Prevention … [Read more...]
Shaping Youth is Expanding: Sneak Peek and Needs Please?
February 22, 2011 by 2 Comments
Feb 22, 2011 Breaking into The Power of Play series for a sneak peek into what's occupying so much of my time...expanding Shaping Youth's web presence. No secret that I’m a media maven that's media … [Read more...]
Amy Jussel On Changing the Channel of Media Influence
October 28, 2010 by 4 Comments
Oct. 28, 2010 Tonight I’ll be speaking on Changing the Channel of Influence in media, at The Third Place.org. I need to reiterate to ALL that Shaping Youth is a nonpartisan, non-religious-based, … [Read more...]
Wordless Wednesday: Not. Gleeful. Spark Change!
October 20, 2010 by 15 Comments
October 20, 2010 Wordless Wednesday photocap: "Why we need to SPARK change: Teens' media messaging" Register now for SPARKSummit to ignite a movement challenging sexualization. Girls' have a right … [Read more...]
SPARK Ignites A Firestorm of Powerhouses: Geena Davis, & More
October 16, 2010 by 6 Comments
October 16, 2010 The countdown to the SPARK Summit (Sexualization Protest: Action. Resistance. Knowledge) is in its final week, culminating in the NYC Summit Friday Oct 22, 2010 and the hits just keep … [Read more...]
Depravity Gone Viral: A Thin Line For Humanity on Facebook
September 17, 2010 by 18 Comments
Sept 17, 2010 Deep breath. In. Out. Hold. Center. Ommmm… I’m trying REALLY hard to abstain from a kneejerk reaction to the ‘dare to share’ assault and twice-raped (by media) teen in Canada who had … [Read more...]
