Weeki 8, Task 5: Article 3

This article is a summary of a book released by the London School of Economics. It provides detail of the way in which young people use the media, and how it affects them and their families, in comparison to children across Europe.

"Parents are concerned for their children's safety outside the home while young people themselves say there is not enough to do in the area where they live. As a result, young people are much more likely to be watching television or playing computer games than their continental counterparts. British children as young as 6 are two or three times more likely to have a television in their bedroom and British children watch an hour a day more than French or German children."
The article also gives several pieces of statistical information on how many parents would or would not let their children be outside, going on to speak about the development of bedroom culture, where equipping the bedroom with TVs, audio and computer equipment represents an ideal compromise between parents and children who want to go outside. "Two in every three children have TVs in their bedroom, including half of 6-7 year olds. As young people spend more time in their own rooms, media become less central to the family but more important among friends, with whom TV is a shared experience."

The study also finds that TV, video, books, computer games, music and personal computersare responsible for young people's exaggerated use of the media for around five hours each day.

"Once children have reached their early teens many parents consider it impracticable for them to attempt restrictions on media use in the home. This may be one of the reasons why they wish strongly to rely on the good judgement of broadcasters and media regulators. This is particularly important to them in relation to television. The knowledge that children are watching television in places which are relatively difficult to supervise may lie behind parents' endorsement of the broadcasting Watershed."

The Internet has many up and downs for parents looking to allow their children to use it. The most positive aspects were thought to be the internet's wide range of communicational ability, as childre are able to form friendships with children worldwide. The major downside is the cost.

On the other hand, The place of books in young people's lives is in serious decline, as lots of children would rather watch a television or film adaptation of a book. "Those who have access to a PC are twice as likely to use that as a source of information than turn to a book. With the possible exception of young girls, most children turn to television or a computer game for their narrative appeal. Books are most positively viewed when the child is interested in a particular type of content, for example horror. Overall the image of books is poor."