media lit

The media have a continuous presence in our children’s lives. Children are watching television, using smart phones and playing on their electronic tablets with incredible frequency. It is easy to visualize a tween sitting in front of the television, Facebook chatting their friends while simultaneously reading through their favorite celebrity’s Twitter feed. And because media consumption is unavoidable, media literacy is necessary. Media is shaping perceptions and children must be educated and have the ability to consume media critically. Media literacy educates about the construction of media, the techniques and implications of media and develops critical thinking media viewers. Media literacy should be a required part of the curriculum in K-12 education.
Popularity of smart phones with teenagers is growing and allows them with constant access to media. Two years ago, 75% of teenagers owned cellphones. (Clarke-Pearson & O 'Keeffe, 2011) Adolescent use of social media sites like Facebook has increased. With 22% of young people signing into sites like Facebook more than 10 times a day, it is taking up a major portion of their time. (Clarke-Pearson & O 'Keeffe, 2011)
Increasing amounts of instant messaging, texting and social networking means that children are developing their social skills online. Emoticons are replacing vocal tone and face-to-face interactions are only meaningful if your Facebook friends are aware of all of the fun that is taking place. And that is if meeting up is even worth the effort. Why waste time and gas money, when you can Tweet your friends, family and favorite celebrities about the latest episode of Breaking Bad?
But even with newer forms of media, television has continued its strong presence in children’s lives. Many children develop the habit of daily television consumption early on. 73% of children ages 4-6, watch television every day. And 43% of children 4-6 are watching 2 or more hours in a typical day. (Kaiser Family, 2006)

References: Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Public Education. (2001). Children, Adolescents, and Television. Pediatrics, 107(2), 423-426. Braun-Courville, D. K., & Rojas, M. (2009). Exposure To Sexually Explicit Web Sites And Adolescent Sexual Attitudes And Behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(2), 156-162. Clarke-Pearson, K., & O 'Keeffe, G. S. (2011). From the American Academy of Pediatrics: Clinical Report: The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families. Pediatrics 2011, 127(4), 800-804. Johnson, K., Kristine, A., & Eintraub, E. W. (1997). Effects of General and Alcohol-Specific Media Literacy Training On Children 's Decision Making About Alcohol. Journal of Health Communication, 2(1), 17-42. Robertson, L. A., McAnally, H. M., & Hancox, R. J. (2013). Childhood and Adolescent Television Viewing and Antisocial Behavior in Early Adulthood . Pediatrics 2013, 131(3), 439-446. Wolak, J., Mitchell, K., & Finkelhor, D. (2007). Unwanted And Wanted Exposure To Online Pornography In A National Sample Of Youth Internet Users. Pediatrics, 119(2), 247-257.