Resource to Make Kids Media Savvy

by Diane Lofshult

We all bemoan the effect the media have had on the health of our nation’s children. For reasons ranging from unrealistic beauty images on magazine covers to the countless hours kids spend playing video games instead of team sports, the media have been blamed for the rising obesity epidemic and the increase in eating disorders.

Now parents and educators have a new tool to help young people understand the effect the media have on their lives. “Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active!” is a free resource designed to help kids ages 11–13 learn how television and other media outlets exert an influence on how they think. Developed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the resource contains fun, hands-on interactive activities that teach critical-thinking skills to assist kids in making educated decisions about exercise and proper nutrition.

The information is available free on the Internet at www.nichd.nih.gov/msy or can be ordered by calling (800) 370-2943.