Sadly, another child apparently hurt by bullying. Here is Michele Borba on the issue of bullying. Today I talked with Dr. Sharon Maxwell, a clinical psychologist, who said that people are suddenly waking up to the serious issue of bullying, and that … [Read more...]
Will your child eat onions if Shrek’s face is on them?
May 25, 2010 by
I'm not absolutely sure this isn't an April Fool's joke, but since the press release is dated May 20th, well, let's assume it's for real. Apparently Dreamworks has worked out a huge number of cross promotional deals, including one with Vidalia … [Read more...]
What’s OK for your kids to watch? FOX doesn’t care
May 24, 2010 by
I do drop my standards a little bit, and let the kids watch The Simpsons. There are some scenes that are not exactly appropriate for kids, but it's a smart show and funny, so I let it go, maybe talk with them about it later. The biggest problem, … [Read more...]
You subsidize corporations that market junk to your kids
May 20, 2010 by
Marketing is a deductible business expense. How do you feel about subsidizing corporations that market sex and violence to your kids? How about junk food? Do you feel like subsidizing them? If we subsidize them, shouldn't we have a say in what … [Read more...]
Millennials and their parents on the radar screen of marketers
May 19, 2010 by
Sometimes you find the most interesting things way down deep in an article. Here's a story from the Boston Globe about 40-something mothers with crushes on teen idols, like Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward Cullen on the Twilight movie series. Why, … [Read more...]
How to take a stand against sexualization
May 18, 2010 by
Did you love Little Miss Sunshine? Too funny when (spoiler alert) she does that completely inappropriate stripper dance at the end of the pageant, which her grandfather taught her. Of course, the audience is shocked and her parents are aghast. That, … [Read more...]
Supermarket adventures with a cynical boy
May 17, 2010 by
They were going out the door to the grocery store, Dad and younger son, PD. So I shouted after them, “No soda and no individually wrapped cheese slices!”My husband asked what was wrong with that kind of cheese. Well, mainly, that it’s not actually … [Read more...]
Beauty pageant makes slimy bid for viewers
May 14, 2010 by
I've got some serious reservations about an organization that refers to a beauty pageant as "wholesome" family entertainment. However, the Parent Television Council is warning that the Miss USA pageant scheduled for Sunday ay 7 p.m. has turned into … [Read more...]
Bill to restrict school ads in Mass. off the agenda, but junk food ban advances
May 13, 2010 by
Rep. Peter J. Koutoujian, Democrat from Waltham, sponsored bills to ban advertising and junk food in schools.A bill that would have put Massachusetts in the lead in removing advertising from schools has been put aside for this legislative … [Read more...]
Big black eye for Nickelodeon
May 12, 2010 by
Nickelodeon's AddictingGames.com won the worst toy award this year, by a wide margin, mainly due to Nick's callous disregard for the welfare of children, according to comments by voters. So here are free and easily accessible games that are totally … [Read more...]
Marketing, Media and Childhood 