small screen News Digest of Australian Council on Children and the Media (trading as Young Media ) ISSN: 0817-8224 No. 246 September 2008 US “Mediatrician” in Australia entific research on the positive and- nega Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medi- tive effects of media exposure, developing Dr. Michael Rich, Assistant Professor of cal School, and Harvard School of Public and evaluating media-based prevention Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Health. The Center is dedicated to un- strategies and intervention tools, and train- Assistant Professor of Society, Human De- derstanding and responding to the effects ing clinicians, educators, and researchers velopment and Health at Harvard School of of media on the physical, mental and so- to provide accurate, current information Public Health, will be in Aus- cial health of children, with which to teach children, adolescents, tralia, from 5-7 November, to through research, pro- and families how to achieve and maintain present papers at the Ado- duction and education. optimal health in the Media Age. lescent Health Conference It has an interdiscipli- in Melbourne. [see below] nary group of scientists, Dr Rich translates scientific and clinical clinicians, and educa- knowledge into guidance for children, par- Dr Rich’s current areas of tors that focuses on the ents, educators, and clinicians on Advisory health research and clini- influences of entertain- Boards of PBS Kids and Parents magazine, cal work bring together his ment and communica- the National Television Oversight Moni- experience and expertise in tions media. toring Board, and as a Senior Fellow of the medicine and media, mak- Fred M. Rogers Center for Early Learning ing him the world’s first Under his leadership, and Children’s Media. CMCH has collected “Mediatrician.” In this role, He has authored research papers examin- (from 13 disciplines), he uses scientific evidence ing the portrayals of interpersonal violence abstracted, and cata- about the powerful positive and substance use in music videos, and logued a comprehen- and negative effects of media chapters in key texts. He has been elected a sive library of research to advise children and those member of the prestigious Society for Pedi- on media effects, which who care for them on how atric Research, a Fellow of the Society for is accessible on the Web to use media in ways that Adolescent Medicine, and a Fellow of the by both professionals and families, pro- optimize their development. He came to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). duces an up-to-the-minute research blog, medicine after a twelve-year career as a He has authored practice policy for the and publishes a monthly e-newsletter to filmmaker (including serving as assistant AAP membership on media issues, includ- help parents translate the latest knowledge director to Akira Kurosawa on Kagemusha). ing policy statements on media violence into good parenting. He established CMCH and a well-publicized 1999 AAP policy as the first US interdisciplinary centre of Dr Rich founded and directs the Center on statement on media education as a public excellence, conducting and collecting sci- Media and Child Health (CMCH), at health intervention. Have your say! Dr Rich has been honored with the Ameri- can Academy of Pediatrics’ Holroyd-Sherry Don’t miss your chance to respond to four inquiries into food advertising and its Award for “outstanding contributions that effects on children. have demonstrated that media’s influence on child and adolescent health is an impor- The four October deadlines for submissions are: tant public health issue.” * Oct 17: the Australian Communications and Media Authority receives comment on its draft proposals for the Children’s TV Standards including ads to children within C Adolescent Health programs. * STOP PRESS NEW DATE : OCT 31* http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311363 Conference 2008 * Oct 24: the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs receives comment on My space, your space, the Protecting children from junk food advertising (Broadcasting Amendment) Bill 2008. our space: exploring the http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/protecting_children_junk_food_ future of adolescent advert/index.htm health together * Oct 31: the SA govt is calling for comment on its consultation paper Television advertising and the consumption of unhealthy food and drinks by children. November 3-8 http://www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs/health-promotion.htm Melbourne * Oct 31: the Qld Govt is calling for responses to its online survey on junk food http://www.adolescenthealth08. advertising on children’s television. http://www.health.qld.gov.au/publications/corporate/junk_food.asp com/welcome.php

HAVE YOUR SAY! MICHAEL RICH IN AUSTRALIA BEAUTY AT ANY COST SAME PRODUCT, INTRO & INTERVIEW DIFFERENT MESSAGES ACMA REPORTS BREACHES small screen September 2008 p2

EDITORIAL

Why a Center on Media and Child Health? unique visitors in 2008, and our usership is Barbara Biggins interviews Michael Rich: consistently growing as awareness rises. We have no. 246 September 2008 become the “go to” place in the United States BB: Why did you set up the Center ? for clinicians, teachers, policymakers and the small screen MR: I founded the Center on Media and Child press in a relatively short period of time. Please Editor: Barbara Biggins OAM Health (CMCH) in 2002 in response to a strong encourage your colleagues and your readers to Compiler: Caroline Donald need for a credible, unbiased source of factual use these resources. By sharing knowledge, we Editorial Board: Barbara Biggins, data and reliable strategies for raising healthy become agents of change. Perhaps you and your Jane Roberts, Judy Bundy, and happy children in a media-saturated world. readers could help by offering us your frank Elizabeth Handsley. Parents, teachers, and physicians have been opinions on www.cmch.tv . small screen is published at the concerned about the effects of television, movies, BB: Who funds you and why? beginning of each month and music, video games, cell phones, and the Internet MR: The short answer is everybody who cares reports on the events of the on children and youth, but frustrated by the lack about this issue and our work. We accept previous month 11 issues per of dependable information and realistic strategies support from anyone, so long as there are no year (Dec/Jan double issue) for helping kids live with media. Published by conditions on or strings attached to the work I developed the Center as a reliable we do. At the same time we insist on openly Young Media Australia resource for all stakeholders to understand offering our information and tools to everyone, PO Box 447 how we are affected by media, positively and regardless of their ability to pay. We believe Glenelg 5045 negatively. My hope is that we can create a South Australia that, if we are doing work that is helping kids bedrock of scientific knowledge on which we can [email protected] and their families negotiate an increasingly pitch a “big tent” where media producers, parents, www.youngmedia.org.au complex electronic environment, those that and child health and development professionals Tel: +61 8 8376 2111 have the means will support and sustain us. Fax: +61 8 8376 2122 can come together without blame or shame, Helpline: 1800 700 357 examine what we know and don’t know, and can BB: Where do you see the Center’s future? YMA is a national, non-profit apply all of our diverse talents toward creating MR: I’d like to see the Center become sustainable community organisation. the kind of media environment that will allow into the foreseeable future, so I can do this Its mission is to promote a children to grow up healthy, happy, and safe. important work, rather than spending so much quality media environment for time writing grants and raising the resources to BB: What are your goals in directing the Center? Australian children. support the work. To that end and as a means MR: I would like the Center to facilitate the of establishing academic credibility for media No part of this publication building of knowledge and development of tools and child health/development as a discipline, we may be reproduced without to create and use media in healthy ways, so that permission of the Editor. are currently seeking to establish an endowed it becomes a critical node in a network of all who academic chair in media and child health at Contributions are welcome. work with media and/or young people. We have Harvard. I am writing a book on parenting in the developed a truly interdisciplinary group of Media Age, sort of an owner’s manual for your researchers who work together as a horizontally 21st Century child, and the Center is developing structured unit that challenges and critiques each Young Media Australia’s a host of supporting material. other in an atmosphere of mutual respect. services are supported I would like the Center to serve as a Our database of scientific research by donations and a grant catalyst for reframing the media discourse from studies www.cmch.tv can be searched either from the one of opposing social values to one of public through traditional author-keyword methods health. If we can realize how profoundly media or through a unique natural language search The South Australian can hurt or help the physical, mental, and social engine, Smart Search, that allows anyone to Attorney General’s health of a child, perhaps we can work together query the database with questions like “Can Department to address what I see as the most powerful and watching television help my child learn to read?” pervasive environmental influence on the well- or “Will playing video games make my son being of our youth and of our shared future. violent?” It is our hope that this resource will become the “gold standard,” elevating the rigor Young Media Australia’s BB: Why is it so important that parents get and interdisciplinarity of the field and serve as a Web Page and support in dealing with media impacts on magnet to draw together into a collaborative and children? Broadband access cohesive community of excellence the disparate MR: Parents are those who are closest to children, are supported by its individuals and groups currently working in especially young children, and are ultimately Internet Service Provider isolation. responsible for the healthy development of Building on this evidence base, we the children they raise. It is both important Internode identify areas of “the big picture” that are and necessary that parents actively take that missing and conduct research to fill the gaps. responsibility, that they return the verb to Our education team has used the database to “parent.” Unfortunately, the deep unease that Publication and develop web pages of tips for parents, teachers, many parents feel about the way their kids use printing of small screen and others who work with children and youth. media and the nature of the media they use is is supported by a I am very proud of the fact that we work well matched by their confusion. Parents feel left with filmmakers and other media producers in donation from behind in the media revolution and paralyzed by New York, Hollywood, and Australia, with child the polarized, values-laden public debate. health scientists and clinicians from around the There are too many difficult issues world, with educators, and, most importantly, faced by today’s children and their parents, and with children, youth, and their families. parents do not have the information or strategies

necessary to parent effectively in the Media Age BB: How well is your website used? – so they often check out and do nothing MR: Our collaborative web site has had 81,467 Clips ‘n’ Cuts small screen no. 246 September 2008 small screen September 2008 p4 small screen September 2008 p5 small screen September 2008 p6 small screen September 2008 p7 NEW PUBLICATIONS

ADVERTISING White, VM; Hayman, J; Hill, DJ (2008) Hoffner, CA; et al (2008) Warren, R; et al (2008) Can population-based tobacco-control Socialization to work in late Food and beverage advertising on US policies change smoking behaviors of adolescence: the role of television and television: a comparison of child-targeted adolescents from all socio-economic family. versus general audience commercials. groups? Findings from Australia: 1987- Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 2005. Vol. 52, No. 2, Pp282-302 Vol. 52, No. 2, Pp231-246 Cancer Causes & Control, Vol. 19, No. 6, Pp631-640 Fuller, HA; Damico, AM (2008) Siegel, M; et al (2008) Keeping pace with teen media use: Comment - alcohol advertising in MEDIA EFFECTS – PHYSICAL Implications and strategies for magazines and youth readership: are Franck, L; et al (2008) educators. youths disproportionately exposed? Enquiring minds want to know: topics Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 101, Contemporary Economic Policy, Vol. 26, No. requested by users of a children’s health No. 6, Pp323-330 3, Pp482-492 information website. Patient Education & Counseling, Vol. 72, Egan, R; Hawkes, G (2008) COMPUTERS & INTERNET No. 1, Pp168-171 Girls, sexuality and the strange Peter, J; Valkenburg, PM (2008) carnalities of advertisements- Adolescents’ exposure to sexually Kendrick, R (2008) Deconstructing the discourse of explicit Internet material and sexual ‘We can change the face of this future’- corporate paedophilia. preoccupancy: a three-wave panel study. Television transforming the fat child. Australian Feminist Studies, Vol 23, No 57, Media Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 2, Pp207-234 Australian Feminist Studies, Vol 23, No 57, Pp 307-322 Pp389-400 Carr-Gregg, Michael (2007) Cook, J; Main, W (2008) Real wired child: what parents need to Timperio, A; et al (2008) What is a princess? Developing an know about kids online. Family physical activity and sedentary animated TV program for small girls. Penguin Books, Hdbk 188p environments and weight change in Australian Feminist Studies, Vol 23, No 57, children. Pp 401-415 Diamanduros, T; Downs, E; Jenkins, S International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, (2008) Vol. 3, No. 3, Pp160-167 Bell, BT; Lawton, R; Dittmar, H (2007) The role of school psychologists in the The impact of thin models in music assessment, prevention and intervention Miller, SA; et al (2008) videos on adolescent girls’ body of cyberbullying. Association between television viewing dissatisfaction. Psychology in the Schools, Vol 45, No 8, and poor diet quality in young children. Body Image, Vol. 4, No. 2, Pp137-145 Pp693-704 International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, Vol. 3, No. 3, Pp168-176 Beech, AR; et al (2008) TELEVISION Greenwell, Jill (2008) The Internet and child sexual offending: Latner, JD; et al (2007) Your ABC-and our kids-need you! a criminological review. Childhood obesity stigma: association Background Briefing, Vol. 10, No. 3, Pp7 Aggression & Violent Behavior, Vol. 13, No. with television, videogame, and 3, Pp216-228 magazine exposure. Cassidy, Darce (2008) Body Image, Vol. 4, No. 2, Pp147-155 Will the Rudd government endorse Wolak, J; et al (2008) motherhood? Is talking online to unknown people Harrison, K & Bond BJ (2007) Background Briefing, Vol. 10, No. 3, Pp8 always risky? Distinguishing online Gaming magazines and the drive for interaction styles in a national sample muscularity in preadolescent boys: a Smallwood, AMK (2008) of youth Internet users. longitudinal examination. Sesame Street and the reform of Cyberpsychology & Behavior, Vol. 11, No. 3, Body Image, Vol. 4, No. 3, Pp269-277 children’s television. Pp340-343 Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Knauss, C; et al (2007) Vol. 52, No. 2, Pp323-324 Livingstone, S & Haddon, L (2008) Relationships amongst body satisfaction, internalisation of the media Risky experiences for children online: VIOLENCE charting European research on children body ideal and perceived pressure from Brook, DW; et al (2008) and the Internet. media in adolescent girls and boys. Earlier violent television exposure and Children & Society, Vol. 22, No. 4, Pp314- Body Image, Vol. 4, No. 4, Pp353-360 later drug dependence. 323 Robinson, T; et al (2008) American Journal on Addictions, Vol. 17, COMPUTER & VIDEO GAMES Portrayal of body weight on children’s No. 4, Pp271-277 Cooperman, L (2008) television sitcoms: a content analysis. Coyne, SM & Whitehead, E (2008) Sex, brains, and video games: A Body Image, Vol. 5, No. 2, Pp141-151 Indirect aggression in animated Disney librarian’s guide to teens in the twenty- films. first century. MEDIA EFFECTS – SOCIAL Journal of Communication, Vol. 58, No. 2, Reference and User Services Quarterly, Vol. Edgar, Don & Patricia (2008) Pp382-395 47, No. 4, Pp406 The new child. Wilkinson Publishing Pty Ltd Richmond, J; Wilson, J (2008) MEDIA EFFECTS – HEALTH Are graphic media violence, aggression Moriarty, CM; Harrison, K (2008) Schmidt, ME; et al (2008) and moral disengagement related? Television exposure and disordered The effects of background television Psychiatry Psychology & Law, Vol 15, No 2, eating among children: a longitudinal on the toy play behavior of very young Pp350-357 panel study. children. Journal of Communication, Vol. 58, No. 2, Child Development, Vol. 79, No. 4, Pp1137- Pp361-381 1151 Membership rates $Aus (inc GST) YOUNG MEDIA AUSTRALIA Organisational Membership/Subscription Application National $210.00 Tax Invoice State $75.00 Individual $55.00 small screen subscription (for non-members) Name: ______In Australia $66.00 Organisation: ______Outside Australia $66.00 Address: ______New membership Renewal ______small screen subscription ______Donation (tax deductible $2 & over) ______Postcode:______Total

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WORLD NEWS Same product different messages by transmitting images below or near the The authors write Australian researchers have shown that threshold of normal awareness. Several Every woman in the United States the messages conveyed to children by food complaints were received by ACMA about participates in a daily beauty pageant whether advertisers are quite different from those the inclusion of brief displays of sponsor’s she likes it or not. Engulfed by a popular conveyed to adults for the same products. logos during the nomination segments of culture saturated with images of idealized, the program. air-brushed and unattainable female physical In a study of 100 adults, participants were beauty, women and girls cannot escape feeling shown either adult-targeted or child-tar- Meanwhile, will review the judged on the basis of their appearance. (P2) geted advertisements for the same foods. classification of all episodes of Family Guy There was a clear pattern for adult-tar- after the Australian Communications and http://www.ywca.org/atf/cf/%7B3B450FA5- geted ads to portray foods such as yoghurt Media Authority found that it incorrectly 108B-4D2E-B3D0-C31487243E6A%7D/ and breakfast cereals as nutritious, healthy, classified an episode of Family Guy as PG Beauty%20at%20Any%20Cost.pdf tasty and convenient while child-targeted (Parental Guidance) instead of M (Mature). ads portrayed them as fun and exciting products that would make children popu- Families & Media Literacy Research KIDS’ TV lar. Forum This forum, organised by the Australian Adults were far more likely to view the A selection of children’s programs Communications & Media Authority screened on TV during the period products positively and express intention (ACMA) was held in on 23 to buy the products after seeing the adult September 2008. It was an opportunity ABC targeted advertisements. This confirms for industry representatives, researchers previous research which showed that by Fifi and the Flowertots; Dorothy the and educators to contribute to ACMA’s Dinosaur; Sesame Street; Louie; The focussing on one ‘healthy’ ingredient such consideration of media literacy issues, as calcium, advertisements can persuade Large Family; Play School; Our Animals; including insights provided by three new Spelling with the Spellits; Best Ed; Eliot parents that unhealthy products are good reports from ACMA’s 2007 study, Media for their children. Kid; Frankenstein’s Cat; Shaun the and Communications in Australian Families Sheep; Blue Water High; BTN Daily. (MCAF). The researchs suggest that their findings SEVEN indicate a need to provide both children MCAF is an in-depth study of young ; My Friends Tigger & Pooh; It’s and their parents with media literacy skills people’s use of electronic media and the way Academic; Master Raindrop. to counteract misleading advertising. parents mediate that use. This new series NINE of short research reports provide detailed The Shak; Kids’ WB; The Eggs; The Jones, S; Fabrianesi, B (2008) Gross for kids analysis of particular topics from MCAF. Barman; Holly’s Heroes; Double Trouble; but good for parents: differing messages Sharky’s Friends; Here’s Humphrey; in advertisements for the same products. The three new research reports and MCAF G2G Got to Go. Public Health Nutrition, 11 (6), 588-595. are all available from the ACMA website at TEN http://www.acma.gov.au/mediareports Puzzle Play; Totally Wild; H2O-Just Add ACMA reports breaches Water; Scope. The Australian Communications and Beauty at any cost NICKELODEON Media Authority has reported two recent This is the title of a YWCA report on Round the Twist; The Fairly Odd breaches of regulations by television the consequences of America’s beauty Parents; CatDog; Hey Arnold!; Kaya; The stations. ACMA found that the Ten obsession on women and girls. Hills; My Super Sweet 16; The X-Effect; Network breached the Commercial MTV Cribs; Spot; The Angry Beavers; The report discusses economic costs, Television Industry Code of Practice 2004 Invader Zim. (the code) during the broadcast of the 2007 health implications and influences on ARIA Music Awards on 28 October 2007 relationships.