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

Why we need more thoughtful examination of our media environment

May 15, 2014 by

Two things in the news that parents need to be aware of: unsafe apps your child may be using, and ways media may be using your child. Companies are collecting information about your child for profit As schools hand out laptops and tablets and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: marketing to children, Media literacy, parent education, technology in schools

Tablet computers, iPads in schools: Some answers, more questions

August 21, 2013 by

My son, PD, picked up his new iPad from his school yesterday. They are being distributed to all students going into the 9th grade at our suburban public school. A few months ago I posted here about my skepticism, and a fairly long list of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: captive audience, Media literacy, technology in schools

Questions about tablet computers, or iPads, in schools

May 8, 2013 by

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...]

Filed Under: captive audience, health issues, Media literacy, parent education, screen time, technology in schools, video games