News aggregator

A case for why the FTC needs to regulate profit-driven junk food marketers that are making children sick.

David Elkind explains why preserving time for children to play during school recess is so important for children's health.

Production of kids' movies for the purpose of selling toys now taken to the next level: simultanous creation of movies and merchandise to create "the ultimate branding weapon."

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking input from the public about whether to broaden regulations aimed at preserving children's privacy online.

On Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative: "Any campaign claiming that obesity can be solved by individuals and industry, not government, promotes a politics that can only benefit the fat cats of the food industry."

Marketers spend billions attracting kids to junk food they hope will become a lifelong brand attachment. But the effect on kids' health can be costly.

PepsiCo is not leaving public schools. They're just getting started. Author debunks Pepsi's recent PR-motivated jump on the anti-obesity bandwagon, concluding: "Corporations -- especially those who sell food and drinks that do nothing but add to the obesity epidemic -- cannot be allowed to market to school children who are, essentially, captive audiences."

Even New York Times writer whose articles are typically pro-video game has concerns about the new Pokéwalker: "The Pokémon franchise is finally trying to complete the profound leap from mere children’s media property to all-pervasive children’s lifestyle product."

Today's digitally-connected youngsters are deprived of opportunities to engage in creative free play, which is the foundation of learning and key to healthy development.

CCFC's Josh Golin weighs in on why school bus advertising won't save school budgets, takes away parents' choice to limit commercial messages their children are exposed to, and gives advertisers a captive student audience.

The day when commercials are indistinguishable from the programs they support has arrived with new NBC's recent 30 Rock / Dr Pepper 'showmercial.' Author wonders "how much longer TV networks will be able to resist the old line of thinking that programs and promotions are supposed to be distinct and separate."

Study finds link between catchy ads and whether teens--especially girls--smoke.

Next time you're at the mall, that innocent-looking flat screen TV playing videos may be capturing your image, dissecting and analyzing it to show you an ad made just for you.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest issued a report card that rates companies’ policies with regard to food marketing aimed at children. Three-quarters of companies are getting an F, either for having weak policies or for failing to have any policies whatsoever.

Dr. Clive Hamilton discusses the importantance of idleness and boredom for imaginative well-being--especially for children, who today "live in a fantasy world created by American film and television producers."

Comprehensive study proves conclusively that exposure to violent video games makes more aggressive, less caring kids.

Restrictions on food television commercials aimed at children may have reduced the number of kids’ TV food ads, but children are increasingly being targeted with cross-promotional tactics and product placement.

New study shows kids as young as 3 recognize brands and are affected by advertising. "Whether it’s McDonald’s or Mitsubishi, children as young as three are quick to identify a brand and decipher its message."

Children and teens spend about as much time with media as they do sleeping, and the overexposure could take a toll on their health, a new U.S. study suggests.

Children as young as three years old recognize brands and are vulnerable to advertising, contrary to past research that suggested such marketing only had an impact on older kids, according to a new study.