Service Announcements Feature Bridgit Mendler, Common
Sense Media's "Role Model
of the Year"
Honoree
For a proactive,
far-reaching campaign that encourages kids and families to
take a stand
against cyberbullying, Common Sense Media teamed with Disney's
Friends for
Change, the popular initiative that inspires kids to make a
difference in their world. Public Service Announcements geared towards kids age
6-14 and
their families, each featuring the stars of Disney Channel and Disney
XD
hit series, will be presented multiple times per day beginning THURSDAY,
APRIL 5 on Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney.com. The messages were developed
under the guidance of Common Sense Media, an independent non-profit
organization
which helps parents and teachers manage the media and
technology in kids' lives.
For more information, each PSA directs viewers
to
www.Disney.com/commonsense.
The
PSAs feature Bridgit Mendler, Common Sense Media's "Role Model of the
Year"
honoree, who will be recognized APRIL 25 in San Francisco for her
outstanding leadership and enthusiasm to inspire kids to make a
difference.
Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice
President, Original Programming, Disney Channel,
said, "As the media
platforms and viewing patterns of our audience become more
interactive,
it's become more important for us to reinforce the significance of
positive
social communication. We're proud to be working with Common Sense Media
on
this effort, giving an opportunity for our talent to connect with our viewers
against cyberbullying, and in support of responsible, respectful behavior
on-line and in-person."
"Today’s kids
connect, create, and collaborate through media. But it's
extremely
important for them to understand the implications of their online
actions,"
said James Steyer, CEO and founder, Common Sense Media. "This campaign
will
help empower kids to think critically about how they interact with others
in their online and mobile lives, and help them become smart and respectful
digital citizens."
In one PSA, 16 year-old Billy Unger of the Disney
XD series "Lab Rats," provides a personal account of being
bullied while he was in the fourth grade and how, through the guidance of
his
parents and school administrators, he managed to navigate
it.
In other messages in the campaign,
Disney Channel stars help raise awareness
of the issue of cyberbullying.
They are: China Anne McClain, Sierra
McCormick, Jake Short,
Stefanie Scott and Carlon Jeffery of "A.N.T. Farm," Ross
Lynch, Laura
Marano, Raini Rodriguez and Calum Worthy of "Austin & Ally,"
Bridgit
Mendler, Jason Dolley, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bradley Steven Perry and Eric
Allan Kramer of "Good Luck Charlie," Debby Ryan, Kevin Chamberlin, Peyton List,
Cameron Boyce, Karan Brar and Skai Jackson of "Jessie," Bella Thorne,
Zendaya,
Davis Cleveland, Roshon Fegan, Adam Irigoyen, Kenton Duty and
Caroline Sunshine
of "Shake It
Up."
Disney's Friends for Change
activities foster creativity, conservation and
compassion. To date, Friends
for Change kids in thirty-three countries around
the world have taken
almost five million actions to help people, their
communities and the
planet. For more information, please visit
Disney.com/friends.
Common Sense Media is
dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families
by providing the
trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they
need to
thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are
growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and
emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they
need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our
education
programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents,
educators, and
young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital
citizens. For more
information, go to: www.commonsense.org.
Disney
Channel is a 24-hour
kid-driven, family inclusive television network that
taps into the world of kids
and families through original series and
movies. Currently available on basic
cable in over 99 million U.S. homes
and to millions of other viewers on Disney
Channels around the world,
Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television
Group.
Disney XD is a basic cable channel
and multi-platform brand showcasing a
compelling mix of live-action and
animated programming for Kids age 6-14,
hyper-targeting boys and their
quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports,
adventure and humor. Disney
XD branded content spans television, online, mobile
and VOD platforms. The
programming includes series, movies and short-form, as
well as
sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is
seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million
households via its basic cable and satellite
affiliates.
Press Release from Disney
Channel