Neurological effects of Media

04/10/07 13:59 Filed in: Brain Science

For today’s entry I will explain my views on today’s marketing trends and strategies, which we digest, on a daily rate. I have a strong opinion about this issue and how it directly, or indirectly, affects the minds of children. I recently wrote a paper on this issue, and have attached it along with this post for anyone who wishes to read it. I’ve always had a fascination with neuroscience, and this paper gave me the opportunity to be able to discuss how the media can affect child neurological development, (pertaining to children 0- 10yrs). I find it so very fascinating, and instead of taking on the commonly expressed negative outlook regarding effects of the media, I tried to look at the issue from a more positive angle. No doubt there are many negative outcomes or side effects that result from kids watching inappropriate television or movies, this is unfortunately an unavoidable fact, we can only shelter children from this for so long. As a result, I feel that it’s really vital to direct our attention towards educating the youth about how to judge the reality and validity in what they see on TV. It’s so important to teach them what is reality and how to communicate with others. This could possibly lesson the amount behavioral problems that could somehow be connected to images or some personae the child saw on TV and chose to idolize. If they aren’t taught through real-life situations h0w to respond to other people, how can they be expected to effectively learn the important inter-relation skills that can have profound effects on young minds. Having said all this though, I think it’s here at this point that parents and adults can realize that this situaltion alone demands attention - and that parents, guardians and teachers should take on more responsibility to connect with their kids and spend less time infront of the tv and more time getting to know their children. I think that this can only be a good thing. Granted, that our schedules are busy and time is short, but before we know it we’ll likely look back and feel as though time went by, leaving behind opportunities that we can’t get back.

All this is coming from someone (me) who doesn’t even have children, but I’m sure that perhaps some of my words could resonate with someone who is even interested enough to read this post.

Thankx, Angel

Tags: Media, Neoroscience