Archives for June 2007

Windorphins Viral Buzz, Brought To You By…

Is it a NeoPet? A Puffle? A goofy avatar? A virtual world icon or some sort of currency to buy virtual goods in a tween space? Animal, vegetable or mineral? Windows promo maybe? Nope. They're not even for kiddies. Those colorful mutant blobs of cartoon playfulness dotting billboards and bus signs are Windorphins (win+endorphins, get it?) brought to you by…eBay. The … [Read more...]

Apple iPhone Hype Seeds Kids Consumerism

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Adults chiding each other like spoiled brats to be the first on the block to try, review, diss, or blather about the iPhone makes me want to hang up on the blatant disconnect between what parents preach and teach about mass media. Some industry brass were miffed they weren’t sent one for free, others cluck … [Read more...]

Note to Myself: “Jott” is Genius!

Yesterday on Amtrak en route back to the Bay Area for a Preteen Alliance event, I was ‘totally wired’ on my laptop blogging my brains out to make use of my travel time. Suddenly, I hit a fact-check glitch. Dang. No internet. As we chugged by a few weak wireless signals, I considered signing on to an unsecured network, but thought it might not be sporting of me, … [Read more...]

New Media Worldometers Can Make Data “Click” For Kids

When my tween says, “Forward that to me, will ya mom?” I know I’ve landed on a site that’s caught her eye, so if this real-time data tracking techno tool is ancient news for you on the 'forward to a friend' circuit, bear with me. Worldometers come in a variety of forms and factoids, clicking off rapid fire statistics from teen pregnancies, health info … [Read more...]

A Night at the Museum Becomes A Night of History Lessons

Update Dec. 12, 2014  Eight years after the original movie debut, Hollywood history lessons are still permeating pop culture, choosing what kids 'take away' from film. Check out this markedly true tenor on gender roles from the author of Redefining Girly Melissa Wardy, as her daughter contextualizes messages to girls and uncorks conversations about what makes it into a film. An … [Read more...]