Category Archives: Does Media Matter

This series explores the question “Does Media Matter?” Using recent research and discussions with children and adolescents, I share information about how media impacts children and why we need to pay attention to it.

Does Media Matter: Media and Perception of Reality

Posted on May 22, 2013 by

Have you ever noticed that when you watch the news a lot, which is filled with reports of crime and violence, you suddenly become very paranoid, convinced that you would soon be the victim of a violent crime? Turns out, … Continue reading →

Posted in Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens, Recognizing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Why Merida Matters: The great makeover debate

Posted on May 19, 2013 by

My friends and colleagues have written much and well about the Merida redesign by Disney. But others have wondered why it’s a big deal for Merida, the strong and feisty heroine of Disney’s Brave, to get a makeover that brought … Continue reading →

Posted in Does Media Matter, Recognizing | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Does Media Matter: Media and the Self

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

One of the things that I hear quite often when I talk about why media matters is the idea that children and adolescents understand that media does not depict reality. Adults tend to think that children and adolescents understand media … Continue reading →

Posted in Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens, Recognizing, Series | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Are you ready to change?

Posted on July 25, 2012 by

“Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw Are you ready to consider changing your mind? When someone presents an idea that conflicts with your own, do you automatically shut … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Does this pink miniskirt make me look stupid? Stereotype Threat and Kids

Posted on January 17, 2012 by

Have you ever walked into a room and become immediately aware that something about you makes you stand out in the crowd, makes you different, might lead others to believe certain things to be true about you before you’ve even … Continue reading →

Posted in Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens, Recognizing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Sexualization and Boys: Inside the Pressure Cooker

Posted on October 10, 2011 by

This is an important question for us to ask. We’ve talked about how viewing yourself as an object and focusing on your value only in terms of your sexual attractiveness can impact girls. But what about boys? Do the messages … Continue reading →

Posted in Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens, Recognizing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Sexism: Is it still an issue?

Posted on September 28, 2011 by

I recently read this article on The Current Conscience The Key To Success: Be A Man | The Current Conscience. In this article, the author talks about how the gender bias makes success easier for men than for women. Sure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooperating, Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens, Recognizing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Does Media Matter? Celebs as social models

Posted on September 19, 2011 by

Adolescents are active media users. They do not simply soak up media content, but instead make sense of it from their own individual perspective and experience. For many adolescents, celebrities serve as social role models. This idea is linked with … Continue reading →

Posted in Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens, Recognizing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Does Media Matter?

Posted on September 12, 2011 by

This week-end, I was at the soccer fields watching my 7-year-old play. As I watched girls of all different ages running, kicking, jumping, competing with ferocity, and cooperating with one another, I was struck by the difference between the girls … Continue reading →

Posted in Does Media Matter, For Teens and Tweens, Recognizing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments