As I stated before in class, the internet is ruining our children. There have been studies done that show the effects of media on children. One study illustrates the effects of kinds watching a violent "children's" TV show compared to watching a neutral/non-violent children's show (I can get the exact study if needed but I am unable to find it at the moment). In short, the study was done in a controlled lab setting with random assignment and parent permission. The same group of children watched an episode of Power Rangers and an episode of (I think) Sesame Street. The results of the study were that every child acted violently towards one another after watching Power Rangers. The violent behaviors consisted of kicking, punching, and sword fighting. Even the children's parents reported them never displaying violent behavior were in on the violent acts. After watching the non-violent show, all the kids were hugging and playing together, with none of them displaying violent behavior. That was just one variation of a study that generated significant results of the effects TV can have on children.
As far as the internet goes, that's not good either. If children's internet use is not monitored by parents or responsible adults, the kids can access ANYTHING. An example I told in class was my friend's 5 year old son looking up "boobs" on YouTube. In this case, you can't fully blame the internet. It seems to be largely due to poor monitoring. That's what happens when you give a child an electronic device to keep them occupied. They need attention and close monitoring, especially at that young of an age.
Not all media is bad for everyone. This link explains a study done on Sesame Street and how it can actually help prepare children for school. Although it doesn't cite any research articles, I believe it for the most part. I've seen articles pertaining to this subject.
-->https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/sesame-street-and-its-surprisingly-powerful-effects-on-how-children-learn/2015/06/07/59c73fe4-095c-11e5-9e39-0db921c47b93_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9d35100e3d55
There is too much of a good thing, though. And watching this show is good for kids in moderation.
In this TED Talk, she describes many aspects of media and the effect it has on kids. (She also briefly brings up reality, what it is and who creates it). It's short, sweet, and to the point.
---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjnclEhy960
She also brings up how media has an impact of little girls and their self esteem. Media often portrays woman and slim with boobs and gorgeous faces. Even having a nice butt is an "in" thing right now, and media shows it. It's pretty much giving girls a false perception of how they should look and how they should dress in order to be perceived as attractive. This is not good. It can seriously diminish a girl's self esteem if she doesn't look like the women on TV or in an internet ad. Media holds seriously unrealistic visions of how females are supposed to be.
Internet and media, good or bad, is taking over our world. It's becoming a possibility for a source of addiction. Soon, you wont be able to do anything with out using the internet. I've even forgotten how I knew things before there was Google. I've actually heard that hey might be incorporating internet addiction into the next edition of the DSM (diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders). It's a potentially serious problem and we should start doing something about it soon.
I agree with you that the internet can be a good thing, it give us a large access to information that we wouldn't have access to otherwise. But it also gives us a large amount of access to things people-especially kids- don't have access to. A lot of this parenting must be new in addition as we're still figuring out restrictions, rules, and barriers.
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