Social action to change the media, Facebook version. Here’s how it can be done.

THE Update: Yesterday evening, after I wrote the post below, there was an announcement that Facebook had agreed to work with the coalition of women's groups demanding that Facebook change its policies that allow rape joke pages and pages inciting … [Read more...]

Disney turns the heroine Merida into a sexy babe, sparks outrage

The big news this week: Disney makeover of the brave and tough Merida into sexy vamp provokes outrage, and Disney dials it back. She loses the archery gear, and now she's got a sparkly, off the shoulder dress, a curvier body, and perfect, sexy … [Read more...]

Questions about tablet computers, or iPads, in schools

Update Aug 21: See part two here. This concept of having tablet computers for every student in a grade or an entire school is one that I've been wondering about. And now that my own school is considering having iPads for every ninth grader, I've … [Read more...]

Hunger strike at Guantanamo: US perpetrates human rights atrocity

Today I will set aside the blog post I planned on issues in marketing, media, and childhood, because I cannot remain silent about the human rights crisis the United States is allowing to happen at the Guantanamo Bay prison. A hunger strike at the … [Read more...]

Reflecting on terrorism, connection and media

When the news reached us, we were on the West Coast, near the beach. Then, the messages came - by text, Twitter, Facebook and email. “Are you ok?” A friend of mine is serving in Afghanistan right now. Even she sent a concerned email last week. … [Read more...]

More on rape culture

After Steubenville, there is a petition to ask the National Federation of High School Associations, which offers annual required trainings for coaches in order for them to remain accredited, to partner with nationally recognized activist … [Read more...]

The latest on marketing unhealthy food to children

PD, 14 years old, pulled a box of Rice Krispies off the shelf and put it into our shopping cart. I glimpsed the cartoon characters and was just thinking about objecting, when he said, “You would think these would have a lot of sugar” – because of the … [Read more...]

April Fool’s from the Boston traffic department

Today, a little media humor of the road-sign variety. The streets of Boston are notoriously tortuous, poorly marked and filled with over-the-top aggressive drivers. This street sign, reflective of the situation, always makes me laugh as I drive … [Read more...]

What can I do to help protect all children from harmful media messages?

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 in … [Read more...]

Rape culture and media complicity

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...]