Why parents should be concerned about children’s media consumption

Why parents should be concerned about children’s media consumption

[html]Today’s generation of children are growing in an environment of constant interaction with the media in one form or the other, from mobile phones, social media to video games and television.
   
   
   
       
       
           
               
                   

Today’s generation of children are growing in an environment of constant interaction with the media in one form or the other, from mobile phones, social media to video games and television.

               
           
               
                   

However, while the media offers resources and opportunities for learning, it is also a place an unsupervised child can easily run into trouble. Unfortunately, while many parents eagerly purchase the newest and shiniest gadgets for their children, many youngsters still have very little rules guarding their exposure to the media.

               
           
               
                   

Risks of Media Use

               
           
               
                   

Negative Influence

               
           
               
                   

Exposure to media content depicting risky behaviours in teenagers including substance abuse, alcohol, self-injury, violence and sexual behaviours can create strong inclinations towards such a lifestyle as they begin to see such behaviours as normal and desirable.

               
           
               
                   

CyberBullying

               
           
               
                   

Giving children access to long and unsupervised hours on the internet increases their chances of becoming victims of internet bullies. Cyberbullying usually happens on social media, email, web forums or online games. It takes the form of hateful comments and messages, humiliating and untrue rumours about the victim. Cyberbullying can lead to depression, anxiety and academic struggles.

               
           
               
                   

Sexting

               
           
               
                   

Sexting involves sending images with nudity or sexually explicit text messages to someone else through social media, chat rooms, email or SMS. Many times, sex offenders take advantage of such platforms to exploit and manipulate young children.

               
           
               
                   

Poor School Performance

               
           
               
                   

The media can be very distracting and time-consuming. Without the necessary precaution from parents, time meant to be spent studying or completing homework can easily be diverted by children to enjoy entertainment media. Other times, a child may be tempted to multi-task - studying and texting. Such behaviours can have a negative effect on school performance.

               
           
               
                   

Sleeping Problems

               
           
               
                   

Exposure to screen light and stimulating content from the media can delay or disrupt sleep. Many children also develop unhealthy sleep habits because they deprive themselves of enough sleep in order to enjoy long hours of movie watching, gaming or texting.