Psychotherapist and mom says: Boys have feelings, it’s time for their toys to catch up

March 3, 2015 by

Help Laurel today! Go to the the Kickstarter: Wonder Crew: More than Just a Toy - Expanding Boys' Play! Just a few more days to make this positive product for boys a reality. I'm thrilled to present this guest blog post by another parent … [Read more...]

Filed Under: boys and men in media, commercialization of childhood, gender stereotyping, health issues, marketing to children, mental health issues, Positive marketing and media series

Sexist toy marketing: Does it really matter?

October 30, 2014 by

Only if you are concerned about women's stalled progress in STEM fields, and how that potentially effects their own futures in terms of income and fulfilling careers, as well as the innovative and competitive strength of the overall U.S. economy. No … [Read more...]

Filed Under: commercialization of childhood, economy, gender stereotyping, girls and women in media, marketing to children

Houghton Mifflin brings execution horror into classrooms

September 3, 2014 by

"Houghton Mifflin's Channel One News makes the execution of James Foley the top news story for students down to the third grade. Picture of executioner holding the knife that beheads James Foley is shown to middle school students." Read more: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: captive audience, commercialization of childhood, health issues, industry self-regulation, marketing gone too far, marketing sex and violence to children, media gone too far, media policy, People taking action, technology in schools, violence in the media

The unprecedented parenting challenges of our day

August 1, 2014 by

Never before have parents had to "deliberately and consciously counter many of the dominant messages of their own culture." (A synopsis of a Must Read article for all parents of small children) One day, Gloria DeGaetano found herself with two … [Read more...]

Filed Under: boys and men in media, commercialization of childhood, girls and women in media, health issues, marketing gone too far, media gone too far, Media literacy, mental health issues, parent education, screen time

Brazil bans advertising to children

May 5, 2014 by

Banned because it's abusive. Amazing to see a country respect children's needs over corporate profits. When will the U.S. do the same? Here is a summary based on a Consumers International article: The National Council for the Rights of Children … [Read more...]

Filed Under: commercialization of childhood, health issues, legislation, marketing gone too far, marketing to children, People taking action

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

March 26, 2013 by

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...]

Filed Under: boys and men in media, commercialization of childhood, girls and women in media, health issues, marketing gone too far, marketing sex and violence to children, marketing to children, marketing to parents, materialism, media gone too far, media-free time, parent education, screen time

Art inspired by marketers who unfairly target children

March 13, 2013 by

A special treat today. Works of art, one a poem and one a mixed-media drawing/collage, that draw inspiration from a sense that children are unfairly targeted by marketers in our society. This is a work by Massachusetts mixed-media artist Edward … [Read more...]

Filed Under: commercialization of childhood, fathers, Featured, marketing gone too far, marketing sex and violence to children, marketing to children, materialism, Positive marketing and media series, positive media

Clydesdales at the Superbowl: Does Budweiser market its beer directly to kids?

March 6, 2013 by

Did you see the Budweiser ad during the SuperBowl that featured a heartwarming story about a horse who remembered the many who helped to raise and train it? It was a touching story. See if you can recognize the persuasive technique, via the Media … [Read more...]

Filed Under: commercialization of childhood, health issues, industry self-regulation, marketing to children, Media literacy

M-rated video games cross-promoted with children’s building toys

January 30, 2013 by

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...]

Filed Under: boys and men in media, commercialization of childhood, gender stereotyping, health issues, marketing gone too far, mental health issues, movie ratings, video games, violence in the media

Vote today in the bad toy contest

December 5, 2012 by

It’s the TOADY. I do enjoy this annual contest, to select the worst toy of the year, as a counterpoint to the Toy of the Year award – the TOTY – which is sponsored by the toy industry. Sometimes the choices in both contests are strikingly … [Read more...]

Filed Under: body image, commercialization of childhood, gender stereotyping, girls and women in media, marketing gone too far, marketing to children, marketing to parents, materialism, parent education, screen time, video games
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