How to Talk to Kids about Celebrity Culture, Influence & Imperfections with Cooper Lawrence, PhD

How to Talk to Kids about Celebrity Culture, Influence & Imperfections

This podcast is about celebrities and the impact they have on our children through social media, movies, TV shows and more. How do celebrities get such a hold on people? Why does what they do and say influence what our child

How to Talk to Kids about Celebrity Culture, Influence & Imperfections

This podcast is about celebrities and the impact they have on our children through social media, movies, TV shows and more. How do celebrities get such a hold on people? Why does what they do and say influence what our children do, say and believe? Dr. Robyn Silverman interviews Dr. Cooper Lawrence to understand celebrity culture and how we can help our kids understand it’s profound influence on those who follow particular famous stars.

Guest Expert: Cooper Lawrence, PhD

Celebrity culture has a profound influence on lots of us. On the one hand, there are many people who listen to celebrities talk about medication, climate change, politics, religion, vaccines and life choices in the same way- or in a more captivated way- than they would listen to the top experts in those fields. On the other hand, even if you aren’t one to be as swayed by the $3500 knife-set touted by Gwyneth Paltrow or the best way to solve a natural disaster by Brad Pitt, their influence is everywhere. Celebrities have the ear of politicians who help make the laws and the masses who help make a movement. So, what about the celebrity impact on young people? How can celebrities influence boys and girls in the way they think about global affairs, national politics, outer beauty and…themselves?
Cooper Lawrence is a multiple Gracie Award-winning radio personality currently hosting the nationally syndicated Cooper and Anthony Radio Show. She’s the author of seven books. Her latest is called Celebritocracy: The Misguided Agenda of Celebrity Politics in a Postmodern Democracy and it’s available now. Cooper has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and her work is in how celebrity culture impacts development.
Important Messages:

Celebrity: Who are they and how is your child accessing them? We used to buy a magazine or listen to our favorite celebrity on late night TV. Now, social media! It seems like the celebrity is speaking right to you. This creates a bond. Easier to do what she says and what she does. This can be problematic when the celebrity is making bad choices or dealing with troubling issues.