Perhaps you've seen the blog in consumer reports criticizing Miley, her father, Billy Ray, and Disney for a scene in the new Hannah Montanna movie. What for? Well, for not wearing their seat belts. Is this overreacting? Perhaps, but the blog did not say that the movie should be boycotted or protested in any way. Merely that by showing this teen star without her seat belt is encouraging a dangerous trend. The blog has statistics for car accidents where the victims were not buckled, particularily the age range where Miley's fans reside: 13-15 year olds. Now, I don't think these girls are sitting in the back seat thinking, "If Hannah Montanna doesn't need a seat belt, then neither do I," and I don't think she needs to start doing public service announcements. But then again, she is a role model, like it or not. Simple things like wearing a belt in a scene can help. The kids watching this movie would view it as a mere habit, and perhaps be sure to wear their belts next time they take a ride to the store. Certainly the world won't be turned on its head by this, but I do think Disney should take the extra step next time when they show a situation where a safety measure should be taken. Here is the blog: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/
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Thinking back on my childhood, I know I was very impressionable, and I know I wasn't unique in that. Kids look to their peers and their idols for what to do. If the popular girls were wearing high-heeled shoes, I wanted to wear high-heeled shoes. If my hero doesn't buckle up in the car, I wouldn't want to buckle up in the car.
However, you do point out that Hannah Montanna's fan group resides in the 13-15 year old range, and I think by then most kids know the importance of wearing seat belts. Maybe 13 year-olds are still impressionable, but 15 year-olds are a bit better when it comes to common sense... Not perfect, but a little bit better.
This is really a great topic because it is more important than people realize. Even if Disney doesn't realize it, there could be impact upon kids. "Psh..Miley's not wearing hers..." Or they might not even realize they're doing it!
Whereas some adults and some teens might completely overlook the fact that she isn't wearing a seat, a lot of impressionable little kids might pick up on it right away. It is sometimes scary how observant children can be. Therefore, Miley should take responsibility as a role model and realize that all of her actions, whether she likes it or not, has an impacts on her young fans.
I agree! But at least they apologized for not wearing their seatbelts. Next time Disney should catch it!
Miley Cyrus, whether I like it or not, is a role model. When I was younger, I remember thinking something must be acceptable as long as it was in the media. I remember, when making decisions, specifically small ones, "Well, this is what happens on some movie, and it was ok then, so chances are nothing will happen." So I do believe that many kids will watch this movie, and when they are in the car think, perhaps subconciously, but maybe not, "Miley went without her seatbelt, so is it really that bad?" Why do we have celebrity endorsements? because people listen to them.
Good blog. Ironically I just posted a new blog about Bill O'Rielly and his posting of suggestive pics of Ms. Cyrus on his show.
"my first name must be, "He aint sh@t", cause everytime I come through, yall be like "He aint sh@t"!....I'll be dat" --Redman
"Anything that can go wrong, Will go wrong"----Murphy's Law