The Librarian's Internet: Pleased to Media
Sites for teachers and parents that encourage media literacy
By Gail Junion-Metz -- School Library Journal, 1/1/2004
www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/growingwithmedia
Parents, can't get your child away from the computer? Then this site's for you, with practical tips on how to control the use of video games, television, and other media. Four sections, aimed at parents of preschoolers to teens, provide age-appropriate information on a range of other media-related issues, from the stereotypes perpetuated by advertising to violence on TV. Created by: The Public Broadcasting Service. Detour: For related information, such as the good things television viewing can do for kids, visit the PBS Parents Media Awareness page at www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/media_awareness.html.
Don't Buy It!
pbskids.org/dontbuyit/
This fun-filled site can help fourth to eighth graders become more media-aware—a "must see" for teachers and homeschooling parents. Kids learn about "Advertising Tricks" by designing their own cereal box or taking the "Ad Detective Quiz," while "Your Entertainment" reveals the secrets of a magazine cover model. Created by: KCTS Television, Seattle, WA, and the Public Broadcasting Service. Don't Miss: The fake Web banner ads on each page—see what happens when you click on them! Required: A Java-enabled browser. Detour: The site's parent and teacher guides are well worth printing (Acrobat Reader required).
Media and Internet Education Resources for Parents
www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/index.cfm
This comprehensive Canadian media-literacy site aims to educate families about television, the Internet, video games, movies, and advertising in the media. It includes in-depth articles on topics such as "Online Marketing to Kids and Privacy Issues" and "Managing Television in Your Home." Although site data is based on Canadian research, the information remains relevant to American parents. Created by: Media Awareness Network, Ottawa, Canada. Don't Miss: The "Tips Archives" link on every page offers practical advice submitted by parents. An example: how to talk to kids about the depiction of women in music videos.
Games for Kids
www.media-awareness.ca/english/special_initiatives/games/index.cfm
These games featuring the three little "CyberPigs" can help second- to eighth-grade kids develop critical-thinking skills related to using Internet resources. The game "Privacy Playground" teaches youngsters about protecting their privacy on the Web, while "CyberSense and Nonsense" describes how fourth to sixth graders can safely navigate chat rooms. Both games require WinZip (PC) or Stuffit (Mac). "Jo Cool or Jo Fool" asks middle schoolers to evaluate 12 pseudo-sites (requires Flash plug-in). Created by: Media Awareness Network, Ottawa, Canada. Don't Miss: The Jo Cool site "Splurge Cola"—a dead ringer for the actual sites that target youngsters.
