Read "Children and Computers: New Technology--Old Concerns." Next, respond to the class blog by reflecting upon the dangers and hazards of digital technologies vis. a vis. television/movie/radio technology. Is there a "darker side" to the digital internet-based technologies than the media of television? Explain.
I think that the intervention of computers and the internet has greatly expanded the access that we have to information. It was interesting to see that previous technologies, such as radios and televisions, have been received in the same way as computers. While all these technologies have a way of fostering media, I believe that the internet, when not monitored, can be the most detrimental to a child's morality and socialization. Since computers are in the majority of American homes and often at schools, children have constant access to the internet and all of its reaches. While schools often have security systems in place, children are quick to find loopholes. Since the internet is so universally appealing and open to the public, one can find, search, or see just about anything.
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at television media v. internet media, the internet proves to be more extensive. When watching television, you can watch whatever channel that you want, but you are still only watching what is provided for you. When browsing the internet, you have more access to an even more extensive store of media images that are on every website that you browse. While both television and internet media can have negative effects, the fact that the internet is so quick and accessible makes it possible for it to cause more harm. In order to have computers and the internet be most effective for children, stricter rules and closer monitoring of use must be instilled. It seems it is always the greatest and most powerful ideas can also be the most dangerous!
My mother always tells me how different our world is these days and how there are some things that she thinks she will just never understand. I think this is what is really underlying all of the discussions of technology having a dark side. Of course radio, television, and computers can have adverse affects on children and adults. But what stuck out to me from this reading is that many of the studies really came back to the parents and families whose children were being studied. I do not think that our world today with our smart phones and tablets is that much different from the years when my mother was growing up. I think that the haves still have a lot, and the have nots do not. The children surveyed who were lucky enough to have computers in their bedroom will obviously have more of an opportunity to be more isolated and imagine a fantasy life online than the students who have nothing but a sidewalk and their neighbors bike to entertain them. This is the reality of our world and our city.
ReplyDeleteTrue, children and adults are exposed to more through technology, but if monitored than it will not be an issue. I understand how parents and others may worry about what their children are exposed to on the computer or television, which is probably why television is so regulated. And I think that many of the points are valid. But realistically children are going to be exposed to "evils" sooner or later. That is not to say that we may as well expose small children to things that are inappropriate for them, but i do not think that we should hinder the opportunities children have by becoming technologically proficient or advanced, just because we are afraid of what they might see. I think that being in the world that we live in requires a lot of trust in our children, and confidence in that we have taught them the ethics and values they need to make the right decisions. In truth, is there a dark side to technology and computers? Yes, there probably is. But do I think that we should heavily regulate the internet federally as we do movies and television? No, I don't. I think the responsibility of keeping children safe and ethical people falls on the adults in their lives, including us teachers.
This is in response to the ‘dangers’ associated with technology, not about benefits. With regards to the ‘dangers’ presented to children by TV and the Internet, well, I feel that they are almost one in the same, depending on your definition of ‘danger’. TV can be viewed on the Internet, so all of the proposed dangers of TV are just as apparent on the Internet, but the Internet opens doors to a two-way human interaction, whereas TV does not.
ReplyDeleteBut let us think of the definition of ‘danger’ – imminent harm – maybe if the children have full fledged access to the world of information, but then again, why should they not? If they have a trusted adult at their side, guiding them through our technological world, the dangers become less, hopefully, and children gain the comprehension of truth, right, wrong, real, etc… Now let us think of ‘information’ in a different sense – the outside world. Would you let a child walk alone on the streets, gathering information? I think not. Why? Because there is so much danger out there – anything could happen – they could get run over by a car. So, we hold their hand crossing the street, and we provide the scaffolding of thought so that one day they will cross on their own, and remember the lessons we have taught them.
The old saying goes “TV will rot your brain.” Perhaps - perhaps not. I don’t own a TV, but I don’t pretend to be so “boug-y” as to ignore the fact that I watch it sometimes on my computer. Maybe I’m cheap, maybe I just don’t care enough to subscribe… in any case, I maintain a self-control – not because I am dying to watch the latest episode of ‘x’, but because I have better things to do, as should our children. What ever happened to playing outside?...
In terms of what is more "dangerous," my response would have to be the Internet. It has a much wider breadth of information than TV. Nearly anything is accessible via the Internet, and that's without even knowing codes to gain even more information than is available to the general none-code-breaker Internet population. I think that the concerns of the early 1990s about Internet are still problems today - pornography, pedophilia, invasion of privacy, and hate sites are issues that still worry families.
ReplyDeleteI also know that new issues continue to be raised with the development of instant messaging programs and social networking websites like cyber bullying and stalking as well as detrimental effects on the development of social interaction skills.
That said, I also believe the Internet is a MUCH more powerful educational tool than the TV and continues to be so everyday. I think that with the proper restrictions and monitoring, the Internet can be a strong positive force with a small negative impact.
I actually don't think television or the internet is dangerous for children in the ways that this article is highlighting. I think people who are set in their ways are afraid of change and that is what causes them to see the harm in new technology. However, change and progress are unstoppable so we might as well embrace it.
ReplyDeleteThe potential for being exposed to sex on the internet doesn't seem that terrible to me. Most kids wouldn't be interested or seek that out until they become curious about sex, at which point they would normally discover some way to find out about it with or without technology (dad's hidden penthouse, etc...).
One way that I do think that television and computers (and video games, etc...) are dangerous for our children is by taking away lots of physical play time and contributing to the obesity epidemic.
I believe both internet and television can be dangerous for children, if no guidelines are set and children are left to their own devices. I agree with the section of the article that states "When children have unsatisfactory relationships with their family members or peer groups, they are more likely to retreat to television and to fantasize about what they see." I think family and community have a large responsibility to model good practices and also highlight the benefits of having such information sources available.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is playing a larger and larger role in our society and I think students can benefit from understanding these resources and learning how to be responsible users. Collaboration between the government, education and media sectors could bring about more programs and products that are useful and educational to children, no matter if through watching television or through the internet.
Both resources have the potential to add to a child's learning and both can be damaging if provided without guidelines, such as letting a young child flip through channels late at night or browse the internet without parameters. There are many scary things in the world and many ways to address them; avoiding them and pretending that they don't exist is more of a concern that monitoring and educating how to confront these issues.
Internet vs. Television
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me as if the risk to children is about equal, but that the educational potential of the internet is far greater due to what the article refers to as interactivity. It is pointed out that new media, i.e. computers and internet have much more potential for interactivity than television or older forms of media, and that this stimulates learning experiences. While it is true that internet provides much more opportunity for exposure to inappropriate material, it also seems to me that it would build a child’s powers of judgment and discernment. This led me to think about the PBL site Historical Thinking Matters that we studied a couple of weeks ago, and how part of the assignment on the Rosa Parks module was for learners to determine which sources of information were more reliable. I wonder if continual exposure to new media might build this invaluable skill as a matter of course?
One argument regarding inappropriate material is that the level of inappropriateness will be much higher since the internet is not federally regulated, and it’s very hard to argue with this. The cooperative measures mentioned in the article will, of course help, but how much? Parents and organizations will obviously do their best to regulate content and steer children in appropriate directions, but in the end I imagine that children will see things that they shouldn’t see…as they always have. The technology cannot be stopped and children will use it. Perhaps the enhanced potential for learning will bring about self-regulation. After all, I’ve been burnt on-line and I learned from the experience…I bet they will too. In the end I think that their ability to interact and shape this environment, as they are unable to do with television, will be a greater benefit and outweigh the risks. I certainly could be wrong about that and I’ve admitted before that I’ve been suspicious of technology in the past, but I guess only time will tell.
I think that due to its interactivity the Internet has the potential to be more dangerous than television and other forms of media. For example, children using public chat rooms have sometimes been coerced into real-world meetings with their chat room "friends", which has caused certain children to be sexually or physically assaulted. While television and the Internet may both expose children to more adult content, television does not facilitate children being directly manipulated by adults. That being said, I also think that the Internet offers more educational benefits than television or other forms of media because it promotes engagement instead of passivity. Therefore, I do not think it is fair to simply say the Internet and other forms of media are harmful to children because if their use of these forms of technology is guided by parents and teachers it can have far-reaching educational benefits.
ReplyDeleteI’m not surprised by the idea that film, radio, television and computers have all had similar trajectories when it comes to research surrounding children. I think computers and the internet are different in the amount of exposure children have to them. Today some of my students have multiple televisions in their homes. However, with recent advances in cell phone technology, most of my students carry around pocket-sized computers with internet access all the time. In the last few years, I’ve seen many young children ask for their parent’s iphone and get to work immediately finding their favorite apps and youtube videos. I’m not against the advances, but just as the article points out, there has to be responsible supervision by adults, teachers and parents to ensure that this easily accessed media is appropriate and viewed responsibly. This is no easy task with the availability of internet access in our students’ lives. I agree with Catherine that at some point you have to believe that you have taught your children and/or students to be trustworthy individuals and make good decisions when they’re out on their own in the real and online world.
ReplyDeleteThe internet abounds in resources for students, teachers and parents. Our job as teachers is to find ways to use them in meaningful ways while teaching the students how to stay safe online. I think the ready, set, go model we are using for our digital lessons is great because it lays out for the students all of the resources that they need to use to complete the project, after we have reviewed them to ensure their safety and value. I think the only downside to this set list of websites is the missed opportunity to teach students how to conduct a search online and select on their own the appropriate resources that are valuable and meaningful.
Children are put at risk in terms of cognitive development by both watching television and using interactive media. While I agree content matters in both forms of media, I believe internet and interactive media have the potential to multiply unacceptable behaviors more so than by watching television. The internet is much more difficult to regulate than television, and I believe more children spend time on computers with internet than watching TV. Parents are tasked with the regulation of their children’s internet usage, and if controls are not implemented carefully, some children will look for ways to subvert the authority and create friction with parents.
ReplyDeleteAlong with advancements in technology and increasing availability of computing in the U.S., there is a concomitant rise in teens and children “addicted” to the internet. I agree certain profiles of children are drawn to social isolation, and the internet can replace reality with fantasy, creating routines damaging to academic environments. Cognitive damage from disordered internet usage is difficult to reverse.
Jessica Steinau:
ReplyDeleteThe topic of which device is more harmful; television or internet is a difficult one to address because there is so much gray area to me. The quickly advancing technology is both scary and exciting I would say. I think that children these days generally spend much more time glued to technology and it really depends on how it's used whether or not that is harmful. I think an increased use and understanding of the internet and computers is highly beneficial and useful for the younger generation although I strongly believe that internet should be monitored by adults when it comes to recreational use. I watched a very intense video in a previous class that was all about how children use the internet to escape their lives when bad things are going on. That could mean difficult family situations, being bullied at school, or simply not fitting in or feeling good about themselves. In the video, this young 13 year old boy was being bullied online through chat rooms and various websites. He was being bullied at school as well and eventually it broke him down and he ended up searching online how to hang himself and he did. His parents were completely clueless as to the abuse and in hindsight, wished they had been more dialed into their son's personal life. I think there is such a big disconnect between families now a days when compared to previous decades. I think there is so much more damage that can be done through means of technology.
Television on the other hand is also somewhat damaging if not monitored because of the violence and language, but I don't think it's nearly as harmful as the internet can be. The internet is so much easier to find out information on a much wider variety of topics. This being said, I think the internet is much better suited for educational pursuits. So like I said, this is a topic in which there is a lot of gray area and I feel it's difficult to say for sure what is worse but I think in our society with all it's many advances in technology, we just need to be careful and make sure we know what our children are getting into.
It is no coincidence that Wartella and Jennings made their comparison between media using a chronological model. I think of it in the same way. Over time the fear of technology's negative influence on our children will continue to exist as new and scary technology continues to be introduced. And while the technology evolves over time into new forms, fears of parents stay the same.
ReplyDeleteI will not comment as to the validity of the parental fears (I would need to see the studies to decide if the influence is negative) but I will comment that I don't believe the introduction of computers and internet is more dangerous than that of radio or television. Of course, the access of adult content on the internet is more expansive, but I do believe that children who want to find things can find those things. Just as we make certain things illegal, if children want access, they can access those things. As for the internet, as well as future technology, adults and the community should still be held with some responsibility, just as they should be with TV show content and amount their child watches.
With the introduction of new technologies, so should their be introduction of limitations, passwords and access constraints, just as a group of 12 year olds are denied access to an R-rated movie. Will it stop every child from seeing inappropriate content? Of course not, but we should remain responsible members of the community while not stifling the growth of advancements in society such as the internet.