Alternative Stories / attention / children and media / consumerism / Early Childhood / Healthy Media Choices / Media / Media Ecology

Attention, the Thread Through the Maze, is the Heart of the Matter

In 1994, when my younger daughter was six years old, I saw firsthand that the commercialized media was impacting the environments of and affecting the attention of children her age. One example was when, at a Power Rangers birthday party for a classmate, the favors were only given if a child could answer questions about … Continue reading

Entertainment Media Educates
Advertising / children and television / Early Childhood / family media literacy / Healthy Media Choices / Media Literacy Education

Entertainment Media Educates

“Experts Defend Videogames’ Educational Role,” La Prensa’s article on a study from researchers at the Open University of Catalonia, caught my eye. What the researchers point to is the need for Ludoliteracy, an understanding of how video games work, what they teach and how they influence us as humans. They point to the marginalization of … Continue reading

Advertising / Commercialization / Family / gender / Grandparents / Parents

Gender Identification Begins…

This was originally posted on February 28. I’m updating because I want to add JeongMee Yoon’s work: “Pink is For Girls….” from Slate.com “The consumer embryo begins to develop in the first year of existence…Children begin their consumer journey in infancy…and they certainly deserve consideration as consumers at that time.”   James U. McNeal, Pioneering Youth … Continue reading

Advertising / Commercialization / Girls / Media / Parents / Teachers

Girls’ Lockers: Moms and Marketers Stay Out!

When I read the October 9, 2011 New York Times Article “Middle School Girls Unlock a World of Their Own, in Miniature” my first reaction was – well, to squelch my first reaction – repulsion. Taking offense at school locker decorations (and companies creating demand for certain kinds of “locker furnishings”) might mean I’m a … Continue reading