Free Republic

The season 2 premiere of Disney Channel's coming-of-age series "Andi Mack," starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee, will feature a first for the channel when Joshua Rush's character, Cyrus, discovers he has feelings for a male classmate, played by Asher Angel. Ultimately, Cyrus comes out as gay to one of his best friends, Buffy, played by Sofia Wylie. Her response, according to Disney, "makes for positive role models for kids and adult viewers." "'Andi Mack' is a story about tweens figuring out who they are," Disney Channel said in a statement on Tuesday. "Everyone involved in the show takes great care in...

At first glance, the line looks like it's for college students, with a focus on spring break beach essentials. But the new Bright Young Things line at Victoria's Secret is actually aimed at a much younger audience: teens and tweens. Also on Shine: Victoria's Secret Helped Out During Superstorm Sandy Parents are outraged by the spring-break themed ads, pointing out that the models look really, really young, and accusing the lingerie giant of sexualizing young girls. College-age women, on the other hand, are shocked that younger kids are interested in Victoria's Secret products at all. "Victoria’s Secret PINK is a...

n recent years, the debate over underage fashion models has reached a fever pitch. Ondria Hardin starred in a sultry Prada ad at 13. An Australian modeling agency recently announced that it wanted 13-year-olds because 16-year-olds were “too old.” And a good number of preadolescents are establishing their modeling bona fides, including the tween daughters of Cindy Crawford and of former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher. Last year, in a satirical look at girl models that wound up less high-minded than exploitative, Vogue Paris featured a 10-year-old named Thylane Blondeau in full makeup, heels, and a navel-bearing dress.

Miley, the lavishly tattooed star of the Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana," a gal emulated by tween girls and their pint-sized sisters, has gone to the dark side of bad taste, pointing her manicured middle finger at young fans.

Talking with an adolescent can be like walking through a minefield. At any moment you could be asking what you thought was a simple, sincere question only to find it triggering an explosive response. You know that communication keeps you connected to your child, but it often seems to backfire because of the type of questions asked. Research proves our instincts: The number one antidote to risky-kid behavior is a strong relationship with a parent. Believe it or not our kids even like us and want us in their lives! (Really!!!!) A recent Girl Scout of America survey found that...

PRESCHOOLERS turning themselves into sexualised "mini-adults" by wearing bras, nail polish and lipstick are requiring psychological help in increasing numbers. Child development experts said young girls were now entering their "tween" years between being a child and a teenager at the tender age of six - five years earlier than previously. Experts said that by age six, girls needed branded clothes, at seven they wanted styled hair, by eight they were beginning diets, at nine they were styling their hair and by early teens were engaging in sex or sending sexually explicit text messages. The Daily Telegraph yesterday found crop-top...

CAPTAIN Kirk star Chris Pine has beamed a new ­girlfriend into his life – TV beauty Audrina Partridge. The Star Trek actor has been dating sexy reality show star Audrina after gate-crashing her 24th birthday party earlier this month. Chris fell for the babe straightaway and the pair were seen cosying up ­together at the Red Lion Tavern in Los Angeles the following day.

At least three deaths and more than 1,600 adverse reactions including spontaneous abortion and paralysis have been connected to Merck & Co.'s new vaccine for the human papilloma virus, a treatment the company has lobbied state lawmakers to make mandatory for young girls across the nation. The report comes from Judicial Watch, the Washington-based public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption.   "The FDA adverse event reports on the HPV vaccine read like a catalog of horrors," said Tom Fitton, Judicial Watch president. "Any state or local government now beset by Merck's lobbying campaigns to mandate this HPV vaccine...

Joe Skarimbas was just learning to read when he decided he was ready to join the digital age. "When he went to first grade he said, 'When am I going to get a cell phone?'" said Joe's mother, Tara Skarimbas. The Leonia family decided to hold off on getting young Joe a phone until he turns 10 and starts walking home from school alone. But his mother understands the temptation to get her son, who turns 8 this month, a cell phone as soon as possible. "Just for safety purposes," she said, glancing toward the new Disney Mobile kiosk during...

Website aimed at 'tweens' promotes homosexualityhttp://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53353 'Kidzworld' says man-and-woman only standard is 'so last century' Thursday, December 14, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern By Bob Unruh A website that targets its messages to 'tweens,' which it identifies as those ages 9-14, is promoting homosexuality to those children because the idea of one-man-and-one-woman only is "so last century." The website also is lobbying children to oppose the policy by the Boy Scouts of America against allowing homosexuals to lead troops of young boys, and advocates for the "rights" of homosexuals to adopt children. A website spokesman declined a WND request to comment,...

Zach Plante is close with his parents - he plays baseball with them and, on weekends, helps with work in the small vineyard they keep at their northern California home. Lately, though, his parents have begun to notice subtle changes in their son. Among other things, he's announced that he wants to grow his hair longer - and sometimes greets his father with "Yo, Dad!" "Little comments will come out of his mouth that have a bit of that teen swagger," says Tom Plante, Zach's dad. Thing is, Zach isn't a teen. He's 10 years old - one part, a...

Are these jeans tight enough for you Ken?Aiming to win back tween girls who would rather watch music videos and chat on the Interet than play with dolls, Mattel Inc. is giving 43 year old Barbie an image makeover that would make Christina Aguilera proud.Forget prom dresses and flight attendant outfits.Bring on the crop tops. low riding jeans and bare midriffs.'My Scene' Barbie and her fashionable companions Chelsea (!) and Madison, are set to arrive at Canadian stores before Christmas.Selling for about $25.00, the toys are an attemptto revive Barbie's popularity with precocious preteen girls who wouldn't be caught dead...