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Monday
26Oct2009

Disney Offering Refunds on 'Baby Einstein' Videos

DateMonday, October 26, 2009 at 4:10PM
Amid recent studies that found the Baby Einstein series is not terribly helpful as a child development tool, the Walt Disney Company is now offering refunds on any DVD purchased between June 2004 and September 2009. The New York Times indicates that you can get $15.99 refunded for up to four videos you return to the company.

This could be a massive exchange of money; In 2003, it was found that roughly 33% of kids between the ages of six months and two years old have seen at least one Baby Einstein video. That number likely increased over the past six years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics said as early as 2007 that consistent television exposure for children under two years of age is not desirable, and that it could actually slow intellectual growth at the most crucial time. There's evidence going the other way, too, though most experts tend to agree that television is no substitute for real interaction at any age.

Still, in this case, The Times says the refunds are a "tacit admission that [Baby Einstein] did not increase infant intellect," and given Disney's proud history of avoiding controversy, the best way to proceed is to pay dearly and quietly.

So if you've got some Baby Einstein videos, you can exchange them for the $16 refund, vouchers for different titles, or a discount coupon good for another video through March 10th of next year. I can't say that exchanging the product for another DVD really gets to the point of all of this, but whatever. Maybe your four-year-old can get into Wizards of Waverly Place a little earlier this way.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment2 Comments |

Reader Comments (2)

depend on disney to be innovative, they have made the right choices and kept up their ratings with the new generations and their esp is their bonding due to evolving identity and keeping in sync with technology,
linda
Fta

Monday, October 26, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterFta

They told people this made babies smarter?
Didn't this start was a mom and dad making videos for there kid? Why would they have ever marketed it as something that makes babies smarter, if they just stuck to entertaining and let the title imply it they would of been fine.
Lastly how can you properly study anything about learning. The fact is you get what you put in, and as a baby thats up to the parents. If a parent thinks putting your kid in front of the tv educational video or not, will teach them anything without the parents being there to help there, are crazy. I guarantee with how lazy parents are today, thats exactly what has been happening in the majority.
Good for Disney for doing the right thing. Now can you go back to making good movies instead of useless crap that sells billions more merchandising crap?

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterOrinn

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