1. Why is it so difficult to define the state of childhood? (w.180)
The state of childhood is difficult to define due to the conflicting views that are held within society. As outlined in Creativity, Culture and Commerce (2015) children are considered a special audience in relation to television and media consumption. This categorisation of this audience allows childhood to be defined as a developmental stage in which youthful participants are considered both ‘vulnerable’ and ‘corruptible’. These distinctive underlying connotations lead to an assumption that children “must be protected,” within media exposure and content (Potter, 2015: 3). In relation to these media definitions society reflects these culturally and socially by linking the well-being of the children with protection. As stated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority the age bracket of a child is any individual “being aged under 14 years,” (Potter, 2015: 7). This definition provides insight into the factors such as the schooling age that govern programming within Australia’s media industry. Due to these diverse definitions childhood is a complex term that reflects aspects of society through media and television consumption in which children are protected from different forms of content.
2. What kind of role does the media play in children’s lives? (w.191)
As children are considered ‘dependent’ and ‘vulnerable’ within society the media is responsible for the nature of content to which the child
Throughout time and history, the concerns of many have been made regarding the influence of the media on children and our young people. Although media, its various forms and those who are in control of them have changed throughout as time has progressed, the concerns still are the same. Plato wrote about the influence that poets had on young people of his time in the same way that those who have analyzed this issue today have revealed the effects of literature and television on today's children.
The audience is able to read the alarming data that shows why parents should be concerned with the effect the media has on young minds. Hanes uses plot development to keep readers interested making the readers wanting to know more of what can happen if parents don’t monitor what their kids are seeing. For example, She discusses first hand accounts of her experience on how Disney Princesses could negatively affect young children and she continues this strategy for the entire article. When Hanes does this strategy, she helps the audience create an emotional bond with the
The argument of what children should be able to watch is a very controversial one. With media access so obtainable these days, violent media is practical everywhere. Many writers take a stand on this, and give an opinion of how the matter should be handled. Gerard Jones and John Leo both argue their case on how the approach towards how the situation should be handed. Jones argues that violent media is good for children, since it gives them a way to escape the harsh reality; however, Leo argues that violent media is a main source for many of the disturbing acts that have happened lately. Based of Jones’ writings that provides personal experiences over opinion such as Leo’s writing, parents should take the incentive towards allowing children
It is no lie when it’s said that media influences human decisions. For adults, it could be the newest fashion trends. Perhaps which restaurant has the highest rating and seems to be the most luxurious. For children, it’s the same. Nobody is spared from society and the media’s norms.
In the article, “Confessions of a news junkie who hides the news from his kids,” Barry Gittins discusses the topic of mass media, he asserts that it has misguided children. Mass media has always been something to inform people. Yet, it’s the over consumption of media seems to affect the mental and physical wellness of children. This new generation of advancing gadgets and devices has altered children’s way of life and connections. The best way to avoid harming the child’s mental and physical wellness is moderation on the screens. Parents claim that in their youth, they used their creativity or sensibility to create things that make them occupied and entertained them. Children are only children once. So, why not bring that back and help the
However in stark contrast to this idea of naivety that adults often create, there are television shows that almost ‘exploit’ a child’s innocence and sexuality- by making them compete in pageants wearing socially confronting and arguably sexualised outfits and make up that would be deemed as inappropriate for this age group by the same people that create these ideologies for children. These television shows however are still shown with high ratings and devout followers, most of which are adults and
The media is generally seen by people as a way of conveying the truth. If something is seen on TV, has been heard on the radio or something has been read in the newspapers then it is perceived as being the truth. Throughout history the media has been used as a tool to convey different messages to people. The issue of the behavior of children when exposed to violence on media has been an issue to be debated upon and studied for a very long time. There are many devices that children have access to of late which include video games, iPods, iPads, DVDs, computers and so on. Children are often said to be impressionable, this means that they do not see the world in the same way as adults do. Children tend to see things the way they are. They take things literally as they do not posses the sensibilities that are sophisticated to make a distinction between reality and fiction (Limit TV, 2010).
Ideologically, children have become the focus of a moral panic, in which the media have played a crucial role. Media presentations of children have metamorphosed them from the innocent ‘sugar and spice’ angels, reminiscent of the iconography of “Bubbles” in the Pears’ soap advertisement, into inherently evil demons who, typifying Britain’s declining moral standards, seem incapable of distinguishing right from wrong (4-5).
Children have been the topic of many research studies and debates throughout history. Scientists, educators, social workers and teachers have debated the importance of nature and nurture in children 's development. Our ideas of children are shaped greatly by the portrayal of children through media. Producers, journalists, and writers have the power to either portray children as passive or active agents in their development of social, academic and life skills. The authors’ assumptions and personal beliefs of children or childhood can be identified through the way they represent children in their writings.
The media is one of the biggest proprietors when discussing the state that our children are in, and why they’re unable to play children roles. It’s not hard for a child to get access to the television set and see the influential things that the media may disclose. Ideas that are shown on TV now, are very misleading and inappropriate, even on children’s channels. Nickelodeon shows are very mature sit-coms that
Now more than ever, media has become an ever-present part of everyday life. While certain aspects of media can be positive, such as the increase of social and political awareness among kids, many aspects provide a very negative influence, especially for children. Ellen Goodman described the media as “an increasingly hostile environment” for kids. The media, and television in particular, can negatively shape a child’s view about themselves and their world, from promoting unrealistic standards of beauty to normalizing violence.
Media holds an unimaginable power to influence and shape consumer’s ideologies on all aspects of daily life whether we realize it or not. Our generation spends so much time browsing and engaged in media that we become blinded to our minds being constantly feed with the media industry’s agenda. For example, it has become very popular to see children being targeted by media at a very young age. Thousands of commercials and TV productions instill ideas in children at a young age of how they need to fit into this mold. The common theme of teach them when they are still young, otherwise they will grow up to be unpopular and not well liked causes parents to feel pressure from society to make sure their children turn out a certain way.
Even at the most tender of ages, children are already active in the use of the media. The television is the main media that the children are exposed to at this early age. It may seem that the children do not understand anything in the televisions and could lead to some disputing the idea of its involvement in
Television is affecting childhood on many different levels. “Many parents have misgivings about the influence of television” states Marie Winn author of “The End of Play”. (Winn 76) One concern is the introduction of adult issues. Marie Winn’s article reflects on what children are being exposed to. Stating today’s “Counterculture kids were [are] casually exposed to all sorts of adult matters-drug taking, sexual intercourse”. (Winn 77) She then points out the “interest in boy-girl interactions is replacing play in preadolescents”. (Winn 78)
In today’s society, there are a number of factors that affect a child’s ability to learn. The media, for good and for bad, is the primary teacher of American youth. This environment reflects life itself, sometimes in a corrupt way, including the positive and heinous parts, along with the beautiful and hideous parts, as well as the charitable and violent parts. It is almost impossible to protect American youth from experiences reflecting the adult world when the media invades homes and becomes so much a part of everyday living. “American teenagers spend 31 hours a week watching television, 10 hours a week online, 4 hours a week reading magazines, and 17 hours a week listening to music” (Miss). Even though mass media is a huge part of a