Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood

It’s no secret that my daughter has been playing on the computer for quite a while. And although we limit screen time, she’s still managed to memorize the songs from several movies, and even some of the standard commercials on PBS Sprout.

So while I encourage her curiosity, I also realize that TV, and to a lesser extent, computer time can have negative effects on young children. But other than the standard “no TV before two-years-old” recommendation of the American Pediatrics Association, what do we really have to worry about?

Fortunately, this subject has become the subject of greater study as the number of electronic distractions in our lives increases. Of course, I’m not saying that we should ban all electronic entertainment from our children’s lives…I’m not even sure that’s realistic. But it does make sense to be aware of the risks.

If you want to learn more, you may want to check out a free screening of “Consuming Kids,” April 29th at the Marlboro College Technology Center in Brattleboro, VT.

I know a lot of tech-savvy parents are SNHParents regulars. What are your thoughts on how much screen time, computer or TV, that’s right for your kids?

Additional details from the press release follow:

Press Release

April 2009

Film Screening of “Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood”

Brattleboro – The new documentary “Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood”, will be shown on Wednesday, April 29th at the downtown campus of the Marlboro College Graduate School. Co-sponsored by Know Media, Healthy Media Choices and the Windham Child Care Association, this film will be shown at 7:00 and is open to all. The film is not recommended for viewing by children.

“Consuming Kids” is a Media Education Production that targets the multi-billion-dollar youth marketing industry and takes a close look at the effects such marketing is having on children today. “We decided to show this film so that parents and other child care-givers could learn to make their way through the challenges of commercialization”, says Robin Rieske, coordinator of Know Media. Rieske also adds that although the American Pediatrics Association recommends no screen time before the age of 2, “marketers love to make parents feel guilty if they don’t feed their kids a steady media diet of TV, computers, and so called ‘educational’ videos”. As Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia states “This powerful, disturbing and heartbreaking film has the power to change the way we treat our children. It is the best possible parent education product. I recommend it to schools, universities, churches, mosques and synagogues.”

The film showing will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with members of Know Media, Healthy Media Choices and Windham Child Care Association. The discussion will include helpful tips on navigating the media culture with children. For more information about this event, please contact Robin Rieske at Know Media, (802) 258-2402. The film is free to the public. Donations are accepted to cover costs.