The Media and Children

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that electronic media has been criticized for its negative impact it has on children but, despite this, parents are persuaded to believe that television educates their children. The paper discusses whether television really does enhance children's learning experience and whether this learning experience also enhances their education. The paper also looks at the possibility that the media's exposure influences obesity and health risk behaviors, violence, emotional and cognitive developments as well as alter children's' perception of reality. The paper contends that although research has indicated that television can educate children, the amount of exposure and content can bring more harm than good to children.

Outline:
Introduction
Media and Education
Obesity and Health Risk Behaviors
Emotional and Cognitive Development
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Fantasy and reality are interchanged between TV programs. The news reports the reality of life with a story. And in contrast, cartoons and other related programs outline violence which supports risky behaviors. There have been several cases that have led children to reenact scenes from a movie, such as "Jackass," that caused a child to be severely injured. What children see can hinder how a child develops socially and developmentally. It can cause children to become antisocial or to become fearful. However, not all children respond to the media in the same way. Every child has their own limitations. Some children can watch violent movies without feeling violent themselves. However, the potential risk is still there. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Escobar-Chaves, S., & Anderson, C. (2008, Spring2008). Media and Risky Behaviors. Future of Children, 18(1), 147-180. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.
• Kirkorian, H., Wartella, E., & Anderson, D. (2008, Spring2008). Media and Young Children's Learning. Future of Children, 18(1), 39-61. Retrieved March 24, 2009, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.
• Reading, R. (2008, January). The effects of television advertisements for junk food versus nutritious food on children's food attitudes and preferences. Child: Care, Health & Development, 34(1), 138-138. Retrieved March 24, 2009, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2007.00818_8.x
• Troseth, G., & DeLoache, J. (1998, August). The medium can obscure the message: Young children's understanding of video. Child Development, 69(4), 950. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.
• Wartella, E. (1999, Winter/Spring99). Children and Media: On Growth and Gaps. Mass Communication & Society, 2(1/2), 81. Retrieved March 24, 2009, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

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