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How to Make Negative News Appropriate for Children? Use Constructive Journalism!

Social policy

“Brain Games” Help Make Kids Smarter

25 January 2012

Reasoning and speed training games can boost test scores, a study in Developmental Science shows.

Does Showing Calories on Fast Food Menus Actually do Anything?

20 January 2012

A study in the International Journal of Obesity investigates the effects of the ‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’ on child and teen food choices.

”Pester Power”: Kids Asking For Unhealthy Food, And How Parents Deal With it

20 December 2011

Kids often pester their parents to buy things they see on TV, often unhealthy snacks. The Journal of Children and Media investigates.

Politics in The Digital Age: Young People’s Political Engagement Mirrors Online Media Use

15 December 2011

A study in Communication Research shows that 16- to 24-year-olds who use online media are more engaged politically, both online and offline.

Silly Advertiser: Carrots Are For Rabbits!

30 November 2011

Whether it’s a familiar cartoon character or a new and unknown one, brand characters make products more interesting for kids, even those “yucky” vegetables like carrots.

“Ad Alerts” in Online Games Shrink Advertising Effects on Kids

29 November 2011

Advergames are less effective on kids when “ad alerts” are present—even when children don’t understand they are, in fact, watching ads—according to a study in the Journal of Advertising.

Kids Love Cartoon Characters—They Sell Fruit as Well as Candy

25 November 2011

Advertising healthy foods can help kids eat better, a study in the Journal of Health Communication shows.

Scared Healthy: How to Get Kids to Eat Better Food

19 October 2011

How do you get kids to choose fruit over candy? First frighten them with a picture of a mouth full of cavities and then read a fun story about dental care,

The Truth Hurts: Disclaimers About Airbrushing Wound Teen Body Image

18 October 2011

An International Communication Association paper attempts to bust the myth that disclaimers of photo editing and “enhancement” would give impressionable teens a more positive body image.

Johnny Can’t Read? Video Games Can Increase Literacy And Self-Confidence

04 October 2011

Struggling readers can learn a lot by playing educational videogames at home, according to a study in Learning, Media & Technology.