Gender Stereotypes: Part 2 with Dr. Elizabeth Sweet

April 28, 2016 The dismissive wails from the Twittersphere and social media mavens were almost audible: "Oh please, not another pink and blue gender in the toy aisle post..." To coin a phrase from Part One of the White House convening on Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Media and Toys, "Yes, And..." I’ve been writing about media and marketing’s impact on kids for ten years … [Read more...]

Culture Clash: STD App’s Naming Gaffe Goes Viral

July 19, 2014 Update: Mahalo and 'Ho'omaika'i 'ana (thank you and congratulations) for the corporate social responsibility exhibited by the Hula app founders and developers who have officially renamed their HIV/STD testing results app "Healthvana" as promised for a mid-July reveal! (more news here and follow up story to come)  May 6, 2014  30 days later, AP NewsBreak/The … [Read more...]

YTH: Youth, Tech, Health–Shaping Youth Interviews YTH Jamia Wilson

Mar. 29, 2014 Like a teen whose spirited, edgy adolescence evolved toward bold innovation, I’ve watched YTH.org "grow up" as an organization over time, expanding and emerging into one of the most exciting intergenerational collaborations surrounding youth wellness and technology. Always a favorite for inspiring fresh thinking and preventive digital health problem-solving, … [Read more...]

Youth Aids Day: First Gen Who’ve Never Known a World Without HIV

Nov. 25, 2015 Update World Aids Day is coming up Dec. 1st, and Durex is promoting the creation of a "condom emoji" to be used via social media to shorthand safety messages for public health. April 10, 2013 “I’m a virgin! I’m not gay. I don’t use drugs! I’ve never had sex, none of this applies to me.” These are the kinds of responses and misinformation both teens and their … [Read more...]

Body Blitz: APA Study Shows Harm of Early Sexualization

Update Nov. 30, 2016 Researcher and social scientist Dr. Deborah Tolman (who was involved with this same APA Task Force in 2007) is seeking support for further research on the sexualization of young girls which as we know from the 'groper in chief' will NOT be a fundable priority nor a public health concern. Please tweet, support, and help fund this important work. Professor … [Read more...]