Technology and Media's effect on children

All my life I have been allowed to play whatever games I wanted, or could watch most things but I was never really into television other than sports, because I was always outside growing up. My parents didn’t place too many restrictions and it made me not really care too much to get those things. Most families in the country are not that way, with restrictions on the kids, which further interests their want for the item.

In an article from Influence on Children Media it supports the belief that many of these families value. "Children are influenced by media–they learn by observing, imitating, and making behaviors their own." Most families in today’s society are teaching using this idea, by restricting their children from the ‘harms’ that may influence them on television or in violent video games. This may mean punishing them by taking away the privilege of the item like a game or not allowing them to watch television until they learn their lesson. Also this could mean not even allowing any use of video games or the use of television.

In certain cases, the restriction of a game or show, may only cause the child to become more aware and involved through times when the parents do not have control like school or going over a friend’s house. The idea that something is ‘forbidden’ only makes it sweeter. This helped me a lot growing up because my parents leniency and trust in my judgment, allowed me to be more comfortable with situations and learn to make my own decisions. It is tough for parents to find that balance, because some kids abuse the freedoms and find themselves harmed or too far in with drugs or any other problem. Parents have to have some lessons and teaching along with every decision but also be able to allowed the child freedom to build their own character.