Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Kid Nation

You’re a parent and you see this casting call for a new reality TV show:
  • Need 40 kids. Girls and boys. Ages 8-15.
  • Mission: Bring a ghost town back to life.
  • Child’s Pay for performing tasks YOU wouldn’t want to do: $5,000.
  • No parents, no teachers. Anywhere.
  • In fact, kids can’t even talk to parents on the phone for 40 days.
  • But don’t worry about missing out on those 40 days with your child because you’ll get to see how happy or sad your child was – along with millions of other people - because they’ll be filmed in front of reality TV cameras. You’ll get to see them crying and saying, “I want to come home!” You’ll get to see them being humiliated and stressed. Maybe you’ll even get to see them saying, “Mommy, why did you let me do this?”

What are the first things that come to your mind? My first thoughts were questions:

Q: Is this Lord of the Flies meets reality TV? Who would air this?
A: It’s a new CBS reality show called Kid Nation.

Q: What do shows like this say to our tween and young teen girls?
A: I'll ask the AllyKatzz girls when it airs in September. I think their initial reaction based just on what they see on the show (not based on child abuse claims, etc) will be that it's cool because the stars are kids, just like them... AND they'll see the power of kids... the power to change the world. That's what they want to do ... change the world or at least be heard.

Q: Would I let my daughter do this?
A: No Way!

Q: What are these parents thinking?
A: I don't know. I think we should ask them and find out vs. speculating. Be good for morning TV.

Q: Do we need to give our children better ways to be heard, seen and change the world?
A: Yes.

Posted by Denise Restauri

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Entertainment VS. Reality




Girls do confuse TV characters with reality? Yes and sometimes to the extreme because these celebs spend so much time in their living rooms that the girls start to think they know them. And it's not always the superficial, "I Love Miley!"... some of these girls go much deeper. Note to self/all of us parents: Get our daughters out of the house and into reality with their REAL friends. These years are tough and it's easier for our daughters to watch other girls go through the drama vs. actually living the drama so they'll hide in front of the TV. The following is straight from a 13-year-old girl's AllyKatzz blog:

"Okay. I've seen ALOT of blogs about Celebs... But I can't help but ask... WHATS THE BIG DEAL?? Okay lets start with Miley Cyrus/Hannah MOntana... Okay.. I was teached that havin split personalities was a bad thing... I think she's THE ONLY celeb who has Split Personality Disorder and GETS famous off of it! And yes it's medical issue. Ask MP's Writing Frnd.. She's writing a book about it on her computer. AND she does ALOT of research! And I don't think she's all that gr8. Her music ISN'T BAD... It's just NOT GOOD... you know?? ANd her show is... well.. wierd.. It's funny. But she's RLLY mean and stuck up! ANd the episode she's SUPER mean to Jackson I wanted to hurt her! I mean she's not a bad actress she's just... augh.. And her dad is GR8.. Y he's on THAT show and not off making RLLY good music lyk he did.. Is BEYOND ME! Okay now.. Ashley Tisdale... She's RLLY arigant.. Well to me.. ANd well.. I don't know... I just don't care for her that much. And now Brenda Song she's pretty good.. Not perfect.. But who is?? She's a RLLY good actress.. And whats the big thing with the JOnas Brothers?? I don't understand.. Now the younger one.. NIck?? I think. Is cute.. But thats only because I lyk dudes with shaggy hair.. Well what do yall think?? Oh and EVERY one is entitled to having their own opinion PLZ don't bash me for havin mine none. And I won't bash urs.. U know?? Okay well gotta go.. PEACE OUT."

Posted by Denise Restauri

Monday, August 13, 2007

Girls ARE Shopping

ALLYKATZZ PULSE-CHECK RESEARCH SAYS YES!!!!


Posted by Denise Restauri

Thursday, August 9, 2007

TWEEN Girls BUZZ Marketing



Do tween girls spread the word about their fave products? You can bet the mortgage on it... and when they find something they love or NOT, they want to tell the world ALL about it. These girls are alpha girls... they are peer influencers and other girls are listening to them.

LOVE IT! - this from an alpha girl from New York:
"i don't kno about u, but i decided to no longer use prducts that are tested on animals. then i learned that almost every toothpaste brand tests on animals! what toothpaste do i use now? my mom told me about Tom's of Maine. they make toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, soap, floss, and shaving cream in good smelling scents like lavender and apricot--and none of it's tested on animals! they also make all their packaging recylable and their energy at their factories is offset by wind power! neccesities that help animals and the enviorment? i'm there!"

Or NOT! - this from an alpha girl from Wisconsin:
"You've heard of Ipod...haven't you? Of course you have, why do I even bother to ask? You probably know some of the accessories but for sure don't know all of them. The basic ones are Ipod covers, skins, arm bands, "boom boxes" and much more. But how could someone come up with this? It is a toilet paper dispenser and plays your Ipod...these "Ipod Accessories Inventors" I think have gotten a little obsessive and a little crazy...don't cha think?"

Posted by Denise Restauri

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Tween Girls Forge?

We asked tween girls if they ever forge their parent's signatures...



What makes tween girls forge our signatures? AllyKatzz girls tell us why and how...

"i did cause my mom said to cause she was 2 busy 2 do it her self."

"yes i have alot cuz im really 4getful n at my old skool u had 2 get every test sined n i would always 4get so i would forge a signature "


"one time i got a dentition and forged my dad's handwriting "

"I admit, I did tat once in 6th grade. I had this horrible gym teacher, and I always forget stuff like that, so she said that if I didn't bring it in the next morning, I'd have to run 2 miles around the gym. Yeah. So, like me, I forgot. I was completely freaking out (I can't run for very long, I have trouble breathing and one time I passed out, but the teacher wouldn't listen.) and my mom wouldn't answer her phone, so my friend and I went down to the bathrooms and I copied my mom's signature perfectly. the teacher didn't suspect a thing. I know it was wrong... but I'm never going to do that again! I was so scared I'd get caught ALL throughout gym. That was like the worst feeling ever."

"Oh my god yes! Too many times! Lol, I know it's not exactly a laughing matter, but it is kinda funny! I even got to go see a concert by this one band. It was fun, but I did feel really guilty afterwards. =("

"only once!!! and it was becuz i had to have it done and i didnt get a chance to ask my mom that day thats the only reason!! only once and id never do it agian! "

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Tween Girls Clique?


Are Cliques in school really important to girls? Or do they seem more important than they really are? The AllyKatzz Tween girls tell us what goes on in THEIR schools.

First, we asked the girls, Are Cliques Important In YOUR school?

60% said yes and 40% said no. Then also told us that cliques aren't a boy thing. And then they said...


“The cliques in my school are seriously like the sterotype cliques. They actually try to break people up, try to sabotage other people's social status's, they even have sterotype girls that are amazingly pretty. Then you have the cheerleaders, the snobs, the geeks, the nobodies, and then there are new people and people who are just okay that are quiet and shy i would probably be in that group but i am a cheerleader so i am kinda in both. But i try to never gossip. Our school is like mean girls but without the THREE plastics (there are like 5 or 15 but who's counting?), the cursing, and the parties. (i think the parties)”

“TOTALLY! There's football guys, band gurls, the girls who lyk luv trees, the smart girls, the smart guys, and geeks over all.”

“They are important in mine. I dont want to be in one, but the boys fall for the cliques and most girls want to be friends with the cliques. ”

“yes, and i hate them! most of the cliques are just based on clothes/money. and it stinks! ”

“yes if u came to our school at lunch thats the first thing that u would notice and if u where there for a couple of days no would figure out that no one messes with other peoples cliques and wear they sit !!!!!!”

“yes!!! not many boys at my school have cliques but almost all the girls do!”

“Yes! There are so many cliques at my school. You got the populars, the people that think they are popular but the really are not, the video game people, the sport guys, smart people, not so smart people. The list can go on forever!”

Posted by Denise Restauri

Monday, August 6, 2007

TWEEN GIRLS DUMB DOWN?

AllyKatzz.com Girls SAY:



AND what tween girls are SAYING about dumbing down... straight from their AllyKatzz.com blogs:

"Boys are ALREADY dumb, so there's no point in even acting like we're not smart. The dumber we act the dumber they get!!"

From a girl who calls herself 'I will be famous'… "I just be myslef! They boys are always bragging about how smart they are, so I show them up! I am 1 out of 3 girls in my 8th grade math class (I'm in seventh grade!) and it feels good to show them wrong! Everywhere I go people are like "Oh, your blonde, so you most be dumb!" But I'm not! The only reason they think blondes are dumb is bcause look who else is blonde! Lindsey! Paris! Nicole! But I want to be a vet, and that takes four years of college!"

"they make me nervous so yes, i dumb down... but not on purpose!"

"No, I act smart to make them feel dumb, lol. Joking! I don't try and act dumb around anyone."

"usually guys go the dumb blonde pretty girls, but i dont think you should act dumb to get their attention"

"excuse me for my lack of seemly modesty, but im a lot smarter than most kids at my skool, so, i do try 2 dumb down a little, that way they all dont go "grammar snob". i kno, im weird! "

"i dont play dumb. i just be me cuz if they cant accept that, then thats their problem. i know a lot of girls who do play dumb and its obvious and really annoying and i can tell it gets on the boys nerves too."

"sometimes i get tounge tied but thats it! i dont try to act dumb!”


Posted By Denise Restauri

SIGN UP NOW!!! Ypulse Tween Mashup



I didn't want to bury the lead! The Ypulse Tween Mashup will be held September 28 at the Javits Center in New York City in conjunction with Digital Life, a massive consumer electronics show. The Mashup is all about helping media and marketing professionals reach tweens using technology in a multi-platform world. I'm on the Advisory Board and for everyone who knows me, I only do things I really believe in!

Posted By Denise Restauri

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Tween Girls Take Responsibility???

We know that some girls cheat on their homework and exams. Now, what about taking responsibility for their actions? The AllyKatzz girls share what’s going on in their hearts and heads:


"I try to put the blame on somebody else, like my dog, or my younger sisters because I don't want to dissapoint my parents."

"If I'm wrong, I apoligize and promise I'll never do it ever again, well at least try not to. If I'm right, I keep my mouth shut."

"If you did something wrong you should take responsibility like a grown up."

"It depends on what I did (:"

"I hate it how some people deny everything and try to blame everything on other people......its called karma chicas"

"I accept all the charges. If you cant do the time, dont do the crime. "

"i do try to not accept responsibility but only if its totally mortifying (embarrassing) but i hardly do anything bad i usually take the blame but its hard"

"not only do i take responsiblility for what i have done but sometimes if i dont want my friends to get into trouble for something minnor i'll take responsibility"

Posted by Denise Restauri

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Do Tween Girls Cheat?

Here's What AllyKatzz Tween Girls Say:


" i did it twince on a spelling and vocab test then i felt really bad and i told my mom and she said it's okay as long as i don't do it again and i didn't"

"The ONLY reason I cheat on my homework is because I don't how to do it and my parents are busy or I 4got to do it.. so yea."

"i dont really cheat but sometimes me and my friends will "help" each other on homework. but thats it. i dont really call that cheatin"

"Never! I never do because someone could have all the wrong answers."

"on homework I might slip in a little calculator action, lol,but I never cheat on test/exams! Thats bad! And I only slip in calc. when I check over and when even my parents dont get it."

"Sometimes my mom does my homework when i am super buzy and already know how to do whatever it is"

Posted by Denise Restauri