More than eight in ten (86 percent) fathers today are spending more time with their kids than their own fathers did in the previous generation, according to a new national survey conducted by the Ad Council. In advance of Father’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC), Fathers Incorporated, and the Ad Council are reaching out to all fathers across the country to inspire a new commitment to responsible fatherhood.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56331-ad-council-hhs-nrfc-inspire-nationwide-commitment-responsible-fatherhood
The Tween Internet Safety Survey, commissioned by Cox Communications in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), found that nearly all tweens (95 percent) use mobile devices to go online.
Mobile devices and gaming consoles are widely used by tweens to access web content, and the survey revealed a lack of guidelines and controls on these devices that can leave tweens vulnerable. While 68 percent of parents surveyed said they monitored their child’s Internet behavior on mobile devices, the survey showed that only 1 in 5 (17 percent) actually use basic parental control features such as age appropriate web content filtering on smartphones, tablets and game consoles.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56493-cox-national-center-for-missing-exploited-children-keep-kids-safer-online
Touch-screen technology is everywhere and it comes as no surprise that today’s children are practically born digital. It’s second nature for even the youngest children to pick up a smart device and instinctively navigate to find their favorite, age-appropriate apps. As parents try to help their children find a healthy balance between traditional and tech play, one thing is for certain…this growing trend isn’t slowing down any time soon.
In 2011, Fisher-Price, the leading maker of infant and preschool toys and Mattel’s largest brand, took an innovative approach to integrating “app-cessories” into its product line by creating the Laugh & Learn™ Apptivity™ Case for iPhone® and iPod® touch devices to protect parents’ coveted devices from babies’ dribble and drool. The Apptivity Case, appropriate for children ages six months+, was developed in conjunction with free Laugh & Learn apps to enable infants to experience their favorite Laugh & Learn characters, like the beloved Puppy, in a new, engaging format.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56836-fisher-price-laugh-learn-apps-toddlers-touch-screen-technology
At its annual meeting of more than 10,000 financial representatives and staff members today, Northwestern Mutual announced its new multi-year philanthropic program to fight childhood cancer. The effort, through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, builds upon the company’s legacy of helping children and families. It leverages Northwestern Mutual’s field force throughout the country to implement a range of community events and programs to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53645-northwestern-mutual-philanthropic-campaign-pediatric-cancer-research
Fifteen-year-old Chengo Chewe from Lusaka, Zambia, has turned his life around through the Children International Youth Program. Raised in an extremely volatile community, he lost his father at a young age; few expected him to escape this terrible cycle of poverty and violence. Yet, in 2009, 12-year-old Chengo participated in the United Nations International Youth Day in New York City. Today, Chengo is in high school and plans to study political science in college. His biggest dream? Returning to the United Nations as a diplomat.
Chengo credits Children International for the positive track his life has taken. “I would like to say thank you to Children International for the opportunities they have given me, the opportunities that have opened in my life.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52276-children-international-impoverished-youth-learn-to-give-back
VTech Electronics North America, LLC (www.VTechKids.com) is bringing bigger roars to the toy vehicle aisle as Attila the Ankylosaurus, Span the Spinosaurus and Brok the Brachiosaurus join the other award-winning Switch & Go Dinos on shelves today. All seven durable, unique and collectable Switch & Go Dinos are now available both online and in store at all major retailers, ranging in price from $15.99 to $49.99. In conjunction with the full launch of the toys, VTech is unveiling the ‘Show & Tell with Switch & Go’ video contest, which encourages children to use their imaginations to discover the ultimate dinosaur and car combination toy.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57706-vtech-kids-show-tell-switch-go-dinos-video-contest-nickelodeon
As part of its charitable giving program, jcp cares, jcpenney is supporting Teach For America, an organization committed to developing teachers and leaders to make America’s schools great. Throughout the month of September, jcpenney customers can round up their store purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to Teach For America.
Teach For America works in partnership with communities to expand educational opportunities for children facing the challenges of poverty. Each year, the organization recruits and develops a diverse corps of outstanding individuals of all academic disciplines to commit two years to teach in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the movement to end educational inequity. Today more than 10,000 corps members are teaching in 46 urban and rural regions across the country.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54267-jcpenney-invites-customers-to-support-teach-for-america
Approximately 71 percent of students report bullying as an ongoing problem and almost one out of every 10 students drops out or changes schools because of repeated bullying. Moreover, military kids that have added stresses like deployment and relocation are more susceptible to bullying. This month, best-selling author, motivational speaker and USO Tour Veteran, Trevor Romain, kicks off his Fall USO World Tour to help children and their parents recognize the signs of bullying and how to address it- whether the child is the victim or the bully.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57349-uso-world-tour-trevor-romain-military-families-recognize-signs-bullying
DHX Media’s W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, together with outreach partners Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM), WTTW Chicago Public Media and research firm Michael Cohen Group, have introduced UMIGO, the first of its kind transmedia math property, to 10 markets across the U.S. through children’s museums and public television stations. They were joined on October 4 by Parliament funkadelic legend Bootsy Collins and the UMIGO characters at the UMIGO outreach kick-off event held at CMOM. At the event, New York public school children and home schooled children participated in transmedia UMIGO workshops led by DHX Media’s W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, producers of UMIGO, and CMOM. Collins lends his voice to original UMIGO music and appears as an animated character in the music video “Rocket Box.” Together, CMOM and WTTW will continue to expand the program into additional markets over the next three years.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58464-wildbrain-entertainment-umigo-bootsy-collins-help-kids-build-math-skills
More than 80% of high school students in the U.S. report that they witness bullying at least once a week, according to a national survey released today by DoSomething.org. A national multimedia public service advertising (PSA) campaign is launching today to educate and empower parents to talk to their children about ways they can be more than a bystander. The PSAs are being distributed nationwide to coincide with National Bullying Prevention Month.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58606-ad-council-launches-bullying-prevention-campaign-to-empower-parents
Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet nearly one million children are affected. To coincide with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 21 -27), the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Ad Council are encouraging all families to get their children (ages 0-6) and homes (built before 1978) tested for lead poisoning. To extend this critical health message to caregivers, parents and pregnant women, they redistributed their national Lead Poisoning Prevention public service advertising (PSAs) nationwide.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58497-epa-hud-and-coalition-educates-families-about-childhood-lead-testing
