Children and New Media

I would like to comment on some transformations I have noticed in children’s relationship to new media.
I consider there has always been peer pressure on children to have similar things to other children whether it is toys, clothing etc. Comparing the present to say the 1960’s (which I qualify) the same pressures were evident then as are now. I think that even in the 60’s we were a part of the consumer society, although the commodities were slightly different but still cost (normally the parents). Eg. In the 60’s kids wanted things like Malvern Star pushbikes, Dunlop volley sandshoes (now called trainers) commodities all the same and that hasn’t changed.
I will argue that what has changed is how they communicate with each other. I would consider that he oldest a child in western democratic society would be when they get a mobile phone (earlier if they are good naggers – sorry , negotiators). There is a very good chance that there would already be a PC in the house so MSN would probably start about ten years old.
Good points: the children are becoming computer literate at an early age. It means that their typing skills will improve as will their use of the English language. They also have access to a large range of knowledge present on the internet (as exemplified by Zac and his tennis racqets).
I think that a child’s social circle would be larger than in the 60’s, although the strength of the relationships would be weaker.
Bad points: The use of modern technology as well as the economies of supplying this technology have widened the have/have nots gap. Another point is that in using things such as MSN and SMS the traditional English language is being butchered, with many words being abbreviated for the purpose and finding their way into everyday use. Also the use of calculators has diminished a basic arithmetical understanding.
Having found myself leaning towards Marxism (as no doubt many of my classmates have figured out) it is easy for me to see the results of consumerism, branding and also the results of globalization in the homogenization of societies (not only in Aust).
I think it is fantastic that children have the use of modern technology but I also think it is important that they are taught values of commodities. Unfortunately, I think this is not happening in our modern world. The penetration of the credit society runs very deep, much to many people’s (and by extension children’s) detriment.
Socialisation of children is now left largely to mass media influences. It is a leviathan that is extremely difficult to battle against. It thrives on children striving to be different, puts increased stress on their development and creates an urge in them to grow up before their time, a difficult experience.
Having said that, I do have confidence in our younger generation. I have found in watching my son’s friends grow up a difference in the way they communicate, staying in contact even when not face to face. The issue of all the porn on the net does not worry me, it saves the parents giving their kids a book on the subject. Like anything, whether on the net or in real life, there is good and bad and children recognise that. Basic monitoring of kids friends and net use is easy enough to achieve and in my opinion all that is required. They know that these violent video games are fictions, and from research and experience it has far less bearing on a child’s outlook than their living circumstances.
Doesn’t matter which historical period you live in, growing up is never easy, therefore I think that sometimes the older generation worries too much.