Media and Children

Media is a type of communication that fosters a specific effect or action. Mass media is a type of communication that impacts a large number of people with the intent of delivering a message through an impersonal condition. Media and the mass media use the latest technology and their connection with life, society and the environment to influence our children.

Extensive television  watching has been identified  with family and friend difficulties. Children use the TV as a way to avoid interaction and can happen when parents are stressed. Children can  use TV viewing as a way to escape. The most obvious way parents impact the media's influence on their children is by identifying and monitoring viewing habits. It's been found that parents are somewhat uninvolved with what their children are viewing and even when they are involved the level of involvement can be sporadic.

Parents are gatekeepers of their children's viewing habits. For this reason parents should consider setting rules for and monitoring the programs and movies their children watch. Parents should sit and watch with their children the shows their children watch because this can help children understand and interpret TV programs and movies they watch. The amount of time children spend watching TV can affect their socialization depending on the types of shows they watch. If children watch educational shows it can help them learn new concepts. Shows such as Sesame Street were created to foster children's learning. If children are watching for entertainment  it can strengthen stereotypes. Parents should consider the role of TV as it applies to academic learning. TV has the potential for building  and strengthening  academic skills.