- Most parents of children aged 3-10 (believe that video games foster skills that are important to academic achievement, though only half play console video games with their children, according to a new study. For more on the intellectual benefits of video game play, check out Jane McGonigal’s upcoming presentation at the Youth Mega Mashup in San Diego on June 22) (Joan Ganz Cooney Center)

- Jessica Simpson is expanding her fashion business to tweens, (and if the new line, with her sister Ashlee serving as co-Creative Director, is anywhere near as popular as her eponymous line, expect total retail domination of the female fashion market from age 7 on up. The new line will feature graphic tees, jeans, faux fur, and printed leggings) (Entertainment Weekly)

- Now that we have the details, we’re all set to start uploading our stuff to Apple’s iCloud (and we might even spring to store an unlimited number of songs for $24.95 a year, because, well, we have a ton of music we like to listen to and our iPod only holds so much. In other tech news, videos of the new Droid leaked, and it looks pretty cool. There’s also a new eReader on the market at the bargain basement price of $50…but even at that low price, who would want to haul around this clunky, unattractive thing?) (Ars Technica) (eBookNewser)

- Disney is set to unveil the third theme song (to its Disney Friends For Change project. The new anthem, “We Can Change the World” is performed and co-written by Bridgit Mendler of Lemonade Mouth fame. It will premiere Friday, June 10 on Radio Disney and the Disney Channel and will be available for download via www.disney.com/projectgreen and iTunes the following day) (Cynopsis)

- Here’s a timeline graphic of (social media chatter about TV shows. Clearly the more outrageous the antics on “Family Guy,” the more tweets it gets) (The Guardian)

- A 16 year old had a birthday party (with 1,500 of her “closest friends” after she failed to set the event to private when sending out invitations on Facebook. Looks like it was a fantastic party, with guests showing up with gifts and cake. Sadly, the birthday girl had to miss the event, spending the day at her grandparents’ home) (NY Daily News)

- Kansas teen takes the title of top speller (the aspiring neurosurgeon wins the national spelling contest with the word “Laodicean”) (Yahoo! News)

- The guy that would be queen (at a high school in Los Angeles a gay student was awarded the title of Prom Queen. Looks like further reinforcement of Anastasia’s point re: hugging. Also, at the University of Chicago a student starts a male empowerment group that meets with some critics) (Los Angeles Times, reg. required) (Chicago Tribune)

- Jessica Simpson shops body image show (in the wake of coming under fire by the tabloids for her weight) (MTV News)

- Gotcha (new ads from the anti-tobacco “truth” campaign feature real wannabe tobacco execs being interviewed in a mock recruitment office with the tagline, “Do you have what it takes?”. Plus Axe tries viewer created ads on Current TV and Sunkist attempts to reach youth by being “awesome.”) (MediaPost, reg. required) (BrandWeek)

- IAB launches the Young People’s Handbook (in an attempt to make sense of the online behavior of 15-24 year olds) (IABUK)

- Archie chooses (after 65 years and 600 issues of the comic series the redheaded loverboy has made a decision between Betty and Veronica) (XX)

- High heels for baby (just one of the many offerings at the Baby & Tween Celebration L.A. Sigh. Plus the latest Pangea survey reveals teens are indeed feeling closer to mom and dad.) (Slate)

- Hip-Hop Detoxx (an after school program where students listen and discuss songs they’ve written about the issues that affect their daily life. Plus, the stigma surrounding depression keeps teens from seeking treatment. And according to this study, there is less swearing in teen movies) (Medill Reports) (U.S. News and Report) (Newswise)

- Summer jobs trump more leisurely options (for teens who previously would have opted to travel, take summer courses or go to camp) (New York Times, reg. required)

- Copyright on the curriculum (the Electronic Frontier Foundation launches a curriculum  to “give students the real story about their digital rights and responsibilities on the Internet and beyond) (ars technica)

P.S. For all you Twilight fans, the “New Moon” trailer will debut on MySpace Sunday night.

P.P.S. REMINDER: We will be “mashing it up” at our big event Monday and Tuesday and will not be sending out the newsletter or have regular coverage. Please see this post about where to find live coverage of the event.

In other entertainment news, Jessica Simpson will make her big screen debut as Daisy Duke in the movie version of the “Dukes of Hazard.” (Yahoo! News) Granted, I grew up in Tennessee and was a big fan of the show in fourth grade, but isn’t it well, a little racist? Good Ole Boys, The General Lee with the stars and bars, Boss Hog in his white suit…I wonder if Jessica Simpson will dye her hair a Barbara Bach brunette. I think she’d make a better Elly May Clampett in a remake of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

They also point out the move towards “individualism” as evidenced by stars wearing custom t-shirts like Britney Spears’ “Mrs. Federline” shirt and Jessica Simpson’s “I Love Nick” shirt and teens downloading custom ringtones, cell phones and shoes. There is even a Web site where you can order your own custom t-shirts.