The Media Landscape

Today, children inhabit an environment saturated and shaped by a complex "mediascape" that envelops them day and night. Roaming among TVs, the Internet, iPods, movie screens, cell phones and video games, often engaging with one or more simultaneously, American kids spend far more time with media (more than 45 hours per week) than they spend in direct contact with their parents or in school.

What is "good" for kids, and what "isn't", how do we define and govern that, and how do we reconcile freedom of speech with just plain common sense?

The Conference

For the first time, media decision makers and respected national thought leaders came together to take an in-depth look at why media has become a health issue for millions of kids. This national conference examined the media environment that our kids are growing up in and looked at its implications for our society. The best minds in media, entertainment, news, policy, business, technology, education and public health collaboratedto generate innovative solutions to create a healthier media world for our kids and families.

The Audience

150-200 Media and Tech executives, leading policymakers, academic and community leaders, journalists and interested members of the public.

The Conversations

• The Media as Parent
• What is the Responsibility of Media Leaders?
• Should Media be Regulated When it Comes to Kids?
• Keeping Kids Healthy in a 24/7 Environment
• Media, Kids, and Ethics
• Does the Internet Change Everything?
• Good Media for Kids Can Make a Difference

The Schedule

Day one opened with a reception and panel discussion with top media executives.

Day two featured a series of panel discussions which actively engaged the audience. The program concluded with a full conference session designed to generate ideas, solutions and commitments.

The mission of the Aspen Institute is to foster enlightened leadership and open-minded dialogue. Through seminars, policy programs, conferences, and leadership-development initiatives, the Institute and its international partners seek to promote nonpartisan inquiry and an appreciation for timeless values.

For more information on BEYOND PRIMETIME, please contact Deborah Murphy at 970-544-7955 or deborah.murphy@aspeninstitute.org.