Summary
Nickelodeon Kids & Family GPS is an on-going, global research effort looking at the changing face and role of the family. Family fusion, cohesion and roles have changed rapidly in recent times: unlike previous generations, decision making within families on a wide range of issues is almost entirely collaborative. The generation gap is closed and for marketers, understanding the new family dynamics when it comes to decision making is the key to unlocking family budgets. The study presented in this paper examines the role of children in initiating the conversations with parents, before the shopping trips commence. Also studied are what parents think they know about what their kids are doing vs. what kids say they are doing, how technology is making families closer and how media is playing an especially important role in shared family time - particularly watching television and playing on games consoles together.

Summary
An Ipsos MORI multi-market report (covering the UK, Spain and Sweden) on how societal inequality and materialism impacts on children. The general message from the research participants was that their well-being centres on time with a happy, stable family, having good friends and plenty of things to do, especially outdoors. Among the main findings was that family life in the three countries was strikingly different: in the UK, parents are struggling to give children their time, but in Spain and Sweden family time appeared to be woven into the fabric of everyday life. British children were also less likely to take part in active and creative pursuits as they got older.

Summary
As Japan recovers from the disasters of 2011 there is a lot of discussion about reform, about the need for change and re-considering the future, which in turn has led to a renewed discussion about "what to do about the young." It has been assumed that the lack of focus seen in 16-25 year olds is to be blamed on the "yutori" (relaxed) education policy that values personalisation and individualism, however the influence of manga, development of the internet (which this generation has barely known life without) and a stable middle class cannot be discounted. It appears that young Japanese are comfortable with their lives but struggle to come up with role models that have been successful through "doing things their own way".

Summary
While there was concern expressed by parents on many issues affecting their children’s well-being, advertising and marketing to children was not perceived to be a huge problem. However, it appears that many parents feel on the back foot when it comes to understanding fully the media children now consume. This stems largely from a lack of knowledge, creating a 'fear of the unknown'.

Summary
How does one differentiate between findings and insights? Can it be concluded for research in the private sector that the principle difference between findings and insights is one's ability to translate the learning into revenue? Findings are often nice to know; insights should be considered need to know. All insights are findings, but not all findings are insights. The case studies reviewed in this paper illustrate these distinctions in real business contexts.

Summary
This paper analyzes the extent of the globalization phenomenon among Latin American children, contrasting it with their interests in local products. Children across the region have certain common characteristics, some rooted in their shared culture, and others which can be seen as the result of globalization. The latter has been particularly important in influencing the behaviour and attitudes of children since the 1990s, and may in time diminish national differences. The supporting data for this paper is based on a study conducted since the year 2000 in several countries, and which allows the authors to pinpoint both similarities and distinctive features of each country's children.

Summary
This article discusses how 'tweens' (children up to age 14) develop their personalities, attitudes and socialisation as they grow in to becoming teenagers. It is based on various research studies, mainly undertaken in Denmark, as well as academic work. The article focuses on the influence of media, including certain magazines, radio, TV and mobile phones, and especially the children's use of the internet.

Summary
Children are direct consumers of a series of products, in addition to influencing the purchase of certain products and services consumed in their homes. The influence they exert or their consumption habits are not identical across the different countries of the region. The degree of influence recorded in each country depends on the type of products purchased as well as on children's sex, age and socio-economic level. The role children play as consumers is by no means limited to their 'pester power'. They have money and purchase a series of products. The amounts they receive, what they can do with this money and what they choose to do with it also evidence important differences throughout the countries of the region, and in turn, in each of these countries, sex, age and socio-economic level also determine significant differences. In order to fully grasp the importance of these differences children's consumption is analyzed within the context of their family structures, behaviors and attitudes. Special attention is paid to the children of Argentina and Mexico who are evidenced as the most paradigmatic.

Summary
James Myers, planning director at Arc, describes ‘tweens’, children aged 8 to 11 who inhabit the half-world between kids and teenagers. He looks at the way they talk and behave, and explains why it is important that advertisers try to understand them.

Summary
Martin Lindstrom quotes extensively from his BRANDchild study in this overview of eight to fourteen year old children and claims they are the most influential generation in history. He describes the characteristics of contemporary 'tweens' claiming they influence up to 80% of all brand choices and believes brands must be alive to their audiences 24/7. ‘Tweens’, he believes, are influenced by religion and spirituality, that they expect straight talking and they love irony. He believes that they are the most influential brand gatekeepers.