Children and the Media
...ildren look up to and admire. They assume that if the strong, invincible heroes are around, the world is a safe place to be where they are free form harm. When really, they don’t understand these characters don’t exist and can’t save them or the world from those that would hurt them. Parents must teach their children that these people are not real, don’t exist, can’t save the world, that it isn’t possible for anyone to do this on their own, and that at one time or another, everyone needs someone’s help. TV programs such as these shows also can frighten children too. The ugly, strong villains may frighten them. We must teach children that all villains are not scary, powerful or ugly but they do try to fool people, young and old. It is very easy for children to lose their own sense of reality while watching shows that contain violence. They must be taught otherwise and how to be smart about TV and what they are watching. Shows like “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers Neighborhood ” have been around since 1969. These shows are very educational programs designed for children. If children watch these types of shows, they will also try to portray their favorite heroes such as the “Power Rangers” except now with no violence. A child's reaction all depends on what they are exposed to. The age of the child also plays a large factor on how a program teaches these children. For example, viewing “Sesame Street” at the age of 3-3 1/2 has a positive effect on a child’s vocabulary. Ages 5-7 require vocabulary at a higher level than what is shown on “Sesame Street”. The effects of educational programs depend on variables such as: a parent’s education, the family size, the sex of the child, and parental attitudes. Television also plays a strong role on a child’s developing morality. Children who watch TV programs that affect their morality such as “Jerry Springer” may tend to have a higher pregnancy or criminal rate than others who don’t watch the same shows. The nature of this kind of show, and their air times are also problems because then children are able to watch these shows without parental explanation to what they are seeing. ...