NEW AD —–>
One of the “associates” with the org sent me an email introducing the group. Here’s the PSA she sent along:
150% Surge in Children’s Television Viewing During Summer Is Focus of New Campaign
Smart Television Alliance launches “OutSmart the Summer Spike!” Campaign, calling on parents and caregivers to take control of children’s TV and make smart television viewing choices
Today, the Smart Television Alliance (STA) will announce the “OutSmart the Summer Spike!” campaign with a call to action for busy parents and caregivers to use technology to control what television children watch, to make smart viewing choices, and to promote a balanced media diet. Children’s television viewing during the summer increases 150% according to analysis of Nielsen audience measurement data compared to the rest of the year.
The Smart Television Alliance is a new coalition of leading nonprofit organizations representing diverse constituencies from parents and caregivers to educators and nurses. In addition to promoting children’s shows recommended by experts and educating parents to use technology to control what is seen in their homes, the STA is united in calling on television content producers to make more children’s programming that is educational, entertaining, age-appropriate and safe.
Collectively, the STA reaches millions of American households.
Key components of the campaign include:
-Creating a network of Featured Blogs who care about what kids are watching-Providing parents and caregivers with resources and action steps to control what is watched on television and when
-Distributing an on line petition to television producers calling on them to producer more high quality, educational programming for young children
-Enlisting parents and others to spread the word to their friends and acquaintances
-Placing public service banner messages across the internet
-Publishing Daily Tips from bloggers, experts and those submitted on our website from parents and caregivers
-Publishing Teachable Moments within television shows submitted by educators across the country
-Partnering with the producers of expert-recommended shows to highlight educational programming
-Providing children’s television recommendations from trusted media experts like KIDSFIRST!, Common Sense Media, and the Parents’ Choice Foundation, among others.
It sounds like a worthy cause. I didn’t see any mega-corps listed among their sponsors, so it may even be legit.
4 Responses to “NEW AD —–>”
 Comment by SouthernChickadee June 26th, 2008 at 8:22 am |
We cancelled our cable subscription earlier this year, and it is amazing how much time we’ve gotten back! Another plus side –no more commercials inundating my kiddos with the latest, greatest toy/food item/movie coming out… When we visited the grandparents a few weeks ago, the sound of the television blaring was enough to make my skin crawl — especially having to hear the commercials. I do miss my Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, and all those other educational goodies — but not enough at this point to want to turn it back on. I sure do wish we could buy a la carte channel access — that would be a huge step in helping weed out the junk, while still having something worth watching. I think this sounds like a great campaign! |
 Comment by Lisa G. June 26th, 2008 at 12:10 pm |
Our cable’s getting downgraded today, since we don’t watch a whole lot of TV. I definitely spend more time on the internet, which I’m trying to cut back on, heh. More music, NPR, reading, and being crafty. I figure when the kid gets a little more interested in TV, we can always buy DVDs. Easier to limit it and no commercials. |
 Comment by COD June 26th, 2008 at 1:05 pm |
You can have my DVR when you pry it out of my cold dead hands. |
 Comment by JJ Ross June 26th, 2008 at 2:37 pm |
Me too, Chris. Last night we had Wimbledon on the big screen — so we could see the ball! — and the Red Sox thumping Arizona on the smaller set in the kitchen. Meanwhile we were recording So You Think You Can Dance, for later viewing without “having to hear the commercials.” Oh, and I admit I also checked out that Baby Borrowing show for a bit, too, because everyone was talking about it. |