ARTICLES: Effects of cartoons on children’s psychology & behaviour patterns

Cartoons are the most frequent and easily accessible source of entertainment which we provide to our children. With the vastness of media and extension of channels, it has become easier for children to watch their favourite cartoons on a single click and at the same time it has become more convenient for parents to provide children with this all-time favourite activity of theirs. Time which was previously spent by children in outdoor activities is now replaced, as now they can be found glued to the TV sets for long hours, peering at all sorts of cartoons, mostly without the supervision of elders who are completely unaware that this might have certain effects on their psychological development later on displayed in their behaviour patterns.

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ARTICLES: Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network accused violating kids’ privacy

Viacom's Nickelodeon and Turner Broadcasting's Cartoon Network are named in formal complaints to the Federal Trade Commission accusing them of using digital marketing techniques that violate the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

A group of 17 consumer, media and youth advocacy organizations led by the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) today filed multiple complaints against Viacom and Turner Broadcasting as well as against General Mills, McDonald's and Subway restaurants.

The complaints fall into two main categories (links to the full complaints are provided below). One asserts the use of refer-a-friend viral marketing campaigns that invite children to submit their own and their friend's personal information, without obtaining the verifiable consent of either child's parent, is in violation of COPPA.

The other calls on the FTC to update COPPA so that it addresses marketing tools like third party cookies on children's computers to facilitate behavior targeting, and collecting and storing children's photographs without parental notice and consent.

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NEWS: UNICEF releases 2 'Meena' episodes (BANGLADESH)

Dhaka, June 21 (bdnews24.com) — UNICEF has released two new episodes of Meena cartoons in a bid to strengthen the power of the iconic animated character in influencing children's mind.

The new episodes, released at the Shilpakala Academy on Tuesday, are 'Jadur Pathor' (The Magic Stone), which features hand-washing practices and 'Rupkathar Deshe Meena' (Meena in Fantasy Land), which is about new-born care.

Unveiling the episodes, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh Carel de Rooy said, "Research shows that as a brand, the character Meena is recognised by 97 percent urban children and adolescents and 81 percent of children and adolescents in rural areas of Bangladesh."

Acting chief of the communication and information department of UNICEF, Arifa S Sharmin, told bdnews24.com that Meena, a popular animated character of Bangladesh, is used as a tool of campaign on children's education, health, safety and rights.

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COMPETITIONS: UNICEF Sponsors Contest On Children's Rights In Nicaragua

MANAGUA, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The office of The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Nicaragua said Thursday it will launch a contest on rights of children and adolescents together with the Central American University, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

All journalists, social communicators, cartoonists and graphic reporters living in Nicaragua can participate in the 5th National Communication Contest with the theme of "Quality education for all the children," according to UNICEF.

UNICEF press chief Olga Moraga said the contest will be open for works published from Oct. 1, 2009 to Oct. 31, 2010 on any magazine, website or other Nicaraguan media and communication companies.

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NEWS: 'Dora the Explorer' turns 10 as model for pre-K girls

'Dora the Explorer' turns 10 as model for pre-K girls

By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY

Dora the Explorer marks her 10th anniversary Sunday, but parents, teachers and pediatricians are the ones celebrating.

At a time when children's entertainment is dominated by princesses and fashion dolls, educators say Dora— which remains the top-rated preschool program on TV — has provided a rare, positive female role model for girls.

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NEWS / CHILDREN'S TV: Magic Journey - Children's TV travels from Kyrgyzstan to Turkey

October2009 - Kyrgyzstan/Turkey

In spring 2009, a delegation from the Turkish Radio and Television station "AVAZ", a newly-established branch of TRT, visited the National Television and Radio Corporation in Kyrgyzstan to pick up TV programmes which would be aired on TRT AVAZ.

The "Magic Journey" was one of the few programmes selected by TRT. The first 50 episodes (15 min each) from the second season have been subtitled into Turkish and have been broadcast every Friday on TRT Avaz from July 2009. Two months later TRT Avaz called their Kyrgyz counterparts and requested more episodes of the Magic Journey and "Meena". "Meena" was produced by UNICEF offices in East Asia to promote girls rights. The UNICEF country office in Kyrgyzstan dubbed "Meena" into Russian and Kyrgyz in 2008 and aired it several times on National and regional TV stations.

The fact that TRT has requested more episodes of the Magic Journey speaksvolumes about its success on TRT AVAZ. In return, the Kyrgyz National Broadcaster will be able to send its staff to Turkey to learn more about the development and production of children TV programmes on TRT free of charge. At present, the President of the Kyrgyz National Television and Radio Corporation and the Head of the Children's and Youth Programmes are visiting TRT in Turkey to formalize the partnership around the exchange of TV programmes and professional staff training.

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