The 31.6 million kids in America today represent the largest generation in U.S. history. These kids – who collectively spend $200 billion each year on products and are a major target for advertisers and marketers – are recipients of a “marketing campaign that never stops.” Messages about body image, self-worth and sexuality are everywhere in advertising. What is their impact on the health and well being of children and teens – and their parents’ wallets?

Experts agree that too often television, music lyrics, movies – and the advertising messages surrounding them – sell discontent, playing upon our children’s youthful vulnerability. They say that media literacy, learning to understand these messages, can actually help kids learn to think for themselves.

What can you do to help your children understand the power of the media – and become more critical thinkers? Watch Selling Children: How Media Affects Kids with your kids and learn ways to help kids become more aware of the underlying messages: how to decode them, question them and, ultimately, understand them.

 

In recent news, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has conducted a study revealing concerns about abuse and deaths in certain programs for struggling teens as well as deceptive trade practices of referral agencies within this industry labeled, teen-help.

At P.U.R.E. we are deeply touched by the publicized reports, which found thousands of cases involving abuse and even death at facilities licensed to help troubled teens. It is disturbing to hear about marketing arms (referral agencies) that prey upon the desperate parent. When I was a parent at my wit’s end, I became prey for a referral agency that made many false promises and my daughter suffered the consequences.

This reality hit home with my daughter and myself which inspired me to create Parents Univeral Resource Experts (P.U.R.E.) My organization helps to educate parents that are searching for safe alternatives for their children as well as create awareness in an industry that can be daunting for the despondent parent.

I offer sympathy to the families that have been affected by any ill treatment and as always, would like to encourage all parents considering this level of care to take the necessary steps to ensure your child’s safety and well-being. There are many excellent programs designed to help teens in crisis, but not all are created equal.

It is critical that parents take an active approach in seeking the most suitable program for their individual needs of their child. As stated on my website, http://www.helpyourteens.com/questions_to_ask_schools.html . These questions to ask and helpful hints in assisting you to find the best program for your child. My book, “Wit’s End!” will expand on these questions and offer parents hope, inspiration and resources if they are struggling with an at risk child.

It is certainly frightening to hear about the teen fatalities and incidents of abuse at Residential Treatment Programs and Wilderness Programs, but I am grateful for the media attention that this matter is finally receiving. I am joined by other industry professionals who are hopeful that this increased awareness resulting from these hearings will propel a trend for improvement within our industry. I strongly support any legislation, both state and federal, that will enhance the safety and treatment of at-risk teens as well as regulate referral sources. I intend to be active in the development of such policy and work with the GAO.

For more information on the recent GAO report, visit www.gao.gov.

Read more through this Blog - you will find that Carey Bock Levine was held accountable for her malicious and defamatory comments about my family, my organization and myself.

FREE SPEECH WILL NOT CONDONE DEFAMATION

My new website with my Podcasts on E-Venge (Internet Defamation, Internet Slander, Cyber Slander, Internet Abuse, Invasion of Privacy, Internet Gossip) will be updated regularly.

Free speech does not give people the right to defame and slander others. My unprecedented case with a jury verdict of over $11M for damages sounds a loud message to those that seem to believe that free speech allows you to destroy others.

As a footnote - a jury read through the many posts Carey Bock wrote about me, twisted truths, outright lies and defamatory and libelous comments.  After several hours, they awarded me $11.3M in damages.  It was set hight to send a message, you can’t ruin others with a few keystroke without having a valid reason or evidence of your comments.