Marketing, Media and Childhood
Investigations at the intersection of marketing, media and childhood
I spent last weekend at a conference full of energetic and committed people working to protect children from corporate marketing practices that harm children’s health and well-being for profit. It was the 8th international Consuming Kids Summit … [Read more...]
Feeling too devastated to write today. Not enough that a 16 year old girl is raped, degraded and humilitated by high school star athletes who feel entitled to use her body as a plaything. Not enough that in this internet age, pictures and video … [Read more...]
(Warning: The pictures in this post are disturbing, and I would say that they should not be viewed by children, except that, the problem is children are seeing this kind of thing. You should know.) This international event is happening tomorrow. … [Read more...]
If Halo is rated M for mature game players only, then why the cross-promotion with Megabloks, intended for ages "8 and up"? Please watch this promotional video (or see screenshots below). Please note that the video includes the Xbox logo. How … [Read more...]
When the kids were younger and watched football and baseball on television, there was a time when they were watching a game and a promo for one of the networks’ other shows came on during the commercial break. My two little boys witnessed, during … [Read more...]
In case you are confused by comments in the media this week: There is in fact no doubt about whether media violence contributes to real life violence and aggression, such as that seen in Newtown a few days ago. The preponderance of evidence, and … [Read more...]
Do you love Geena Davis? She’s putting her time, and presumably her money, into the cause of gender fairness in media. Take a look at this delightful new PSA created by her organization, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. New … [Read more...]
"Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" I had decided to get lunch at a new restaurant in town. I believe in supporting local business. Then I saw this cute little marketing card on the counter. And it made me feel not so good about … [Read more...]
After another shocking mass shooting, is it perhaps time to talk about the effects of media violence on children? It’s fairly clear that the perpetrator in the Aurora, Colorado shooting was influenced by the violence in the Batman movie series. Was … [Read more...]
For today, media messages to children that parents should be aware of:Shaping Youth: Boys, Body Image and Sexualization: An Equal Opportunity Destroyer Shaping Youth photoChristian Science Monitor: Disney bans junk-food ads, but seeks to … [Read more...]
