Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this site will help their girls understand the pop culture forces that affect their senses of self, and it will do so while entertaining them. Created by one of the leading authorities on media literacy, it uses TV, music, magazines, and digital life to teach girls about the messages in today's media -- and about their own media use.
Families can talk about the ways in which pop culture is both enjoyable and manipulative. Who makes the decisions behind what a pop star wears, and whose best interest do those people have in mind? Are all images in a magazine air-brushed and how does that affect how we view ourselves? What do the TV shows you watch really say about you?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Liz Perle
MYPOPSTUDIO.COM is geared to tween girls, and challenges them to think critically about the messages embedded in the pop-media culture in which they marinate, particularly those that influence their attitudes about beauty, nutrition, celebrity culture, and their own identity.
Millions of girls spend a significant chunk of their time surfing the Internet, watching MTV, thumbing through teen and celebrity magazines, and listening to CDs by their newest favorite recording stars.
While they may view it as "entertainment," the flood of imagery delivered via all this media is also subtly shaping young girls' social and emotional development, along with their perceptions of body image and health, according to media literacy researchers at Temple University, who created this site.
The site works by engaging girls in the mass media and entertainment industry decision-making process. They can create their own animated pop star in the site's "Music Studio" and make decisions about what she wears, her hair style, body shape, and makeup, and the lyrics, instrumentation, and beat of the song she sings. (Will it be: "My goal is in sight and I ain't gonna fumble..." or "Walkin' on the edge, that's where I wanna be..."?)
Kids can also edit a TV program and compose a scene in the site's "TV Studio," design a multi-page magazine spread in the "Magazine Studio," and test their multi-tasking abilities in the "Digital Studio." The site also provides a link to downloadable lesson plans for parents to use in informal, home-based learning and for teachers to introduce in classrooms. The activities and discussion questions aim to promote dialogue and strengthen critical thinking and communication skills.
For other sites that educate and stimulate girls' minds, check out It's My Life and ReaderGirlz.com.
Reviewed: 06/12/2007
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentHelps girls understand pressure to be sexual. |
 |
 |
|
|
Violence |
|
|
|
|
Language |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
 |
|
|
Social BehaviorHelps girls separate the message and the messenger. |
 |
 |
|
|
CommercialismPointers for recognizing commercialism. |
 |
 |
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
|
|
Educational ValueFantastic site. Media literacy at its best -- teaches girls to look at media with a critical eye. |
|
|
|
|
