Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Media on Children’s
Development
• temperament
• resilience,
• current psychosocial risk factors
• psychological vulnerabilities
• developmental level
• social connectedness
Societal Factors….
First amendment right makes regulation of
media industry very challenging.
Media industry has resisted making
substantive changes that would protect
children and youth.
Advertising industry dominates all forms of
media.
Societal Factors Cont’d….
Direct to consumer (including children and
adolescents) marketing: defines what is
desirable and imparts status among peers.
Disposable income is high in United States.
Society glamorizes sex & violence .
Children of all ages are less supervised
(latch key kids) by adults.
Adverse Side Effects of Media
Technological advances have always been
met with ambivalence throughout history.
With the progress these advances bring
they also have adverse consequences, both
calculated and unintended.
Adverse Side Effects of Media
Television and other media have become
the “techie blankie” and technological
babysitter for many children.
The Internet simulates friendships that do
not help in the development of negotiation
and compromise skills.
How Can We Respond?
American Academy of Pediatric’s Media
Matters Campaign.
We must become “media literate.”
Teach families how to use good judgement
about the use of media in the home.
How Can We Respond?
Public health approach: consider concept
of early preventive intervention.
Teach parents to match the media
viewing/use to child’s developmental level.
Consider both the content and context
within which TV and other media are being
used.
Importance of the Media History
to learn how a child
spends his/her time
to begin to access a
child’s inner world
to obtain information
about self-soothing
to learn about parent
availability and
interactive style
How Can We Respond?
Utilize parental controls on the Internet,
know what our children are watching, what
videos they are playing, and use V-Chip on
the television.
Encourage discussion of violent, sexual,
discriminatory, stereotypic, traumatic or
otherwise disturbing themes seen in news,
documentaries or other programs.
Conclusion...