Today I am very disappointed in Common Sense Media. A few months ago, I added them to my list of recommended websites. They review movies, TV shows, books, music and websites for parents. I began recommending them when I saw that they were becoming more responsible (helping parents limit screen-time, advocating for healthy family alternatives to screen entertainment, and the addition of strategies to combat consumerism). However, their recent article about toddler Halloween costumes is absurd and irresponsible. Here is a direct quote:
Best Halloween Costumes for Toddlers
Toddler Halloween costumes got you stuck for ideas? Here’s a list of some of our favorite TV and movie characters to inspire the best boys’ and girls’ Halloween costume ideas — whether you make your own or buy them at your favorite online Halloween shop. These characters are just the thing to inspire your mini-Harry Potter, princess, pirate, gypsy, cowgirl, or Star Wars favorite. Disney costume ideas include Snow White, Peter Pan, and Tinker Bell. Have fun browsing — and be sure to take lots of pictures of your little trick-or-treater!
Come on! The promoting of toddlers wearing Harry Potter and Star Wars costumes? Are they for real? These movies are PG and PG-13! Not to mention all the Disney characters listed. So their advice is that your toddler can be a billboard for some media conglomerate. Yikes! Also, the non-media linked ideas offered seem more appropraite for older children. If you choose to dress up your toddler, how about as a bunny rabbit, pumpkin, puppy or teddy bear? Choose a theme relevant to a toddler’s life. There are so many other choices, it is sad that Common Sense Media did not use common sense in this article.
Boo(h) to "Common Sense" Media!
Good news…see the post from 10/22/09 for an update!
[...] fix everything, at least we can make it better. It reminded me of earlier this fall when the Common Sense Media website had posted terrible advice to parents of toddlers – recommending PG…. I contacted the co-founder and editor, and within minutes, she had agreed and changed the content [...]