How to Media Influences Young Kids

Children can be easily manipulated by images transmitted through the press.

Violence and media images

There have been numerous studies on the influence of violence on television on children's behavior. Much of the research has confirmed that there is a connection between the aggressive behavior of children and future adults and the violence in TV programs. Not all movies, shows, games have strongly negative effects.

A child will likely become more aggressive if he identifies with the violent character in a movie or show. If that character becomes his role model and he uses unorthodox methods to resolve conflicts, then the child may also copy his behavior. For example, if a child notices that his favorite character becomes aggressive when he is persecuted, then when he finds himself in a similar situation he will copy the behavioral pattern of the character.

A psychotherapist was telling me about a more special case of a little girl angel who used to beat her classmates in kindergarten. She didn't slap the same person every time, and her attacks couldn't be anticipated.

After a more detailed discussion, he found out that the reason for her behavior was a video of Shakira beating her rival. When she first saw the video, the girl was with her father and asked him for an explanation for what happened in the video. The father, being bored, told her that the rival was singing falsely, and Shakira was punishing her.

The little girl was part of the garden choir and was slapping the children apostrophized by the teacher. It is important to note that the family's attitudes toward violence on television are far more important to the child than the images themselves.

Therefore, it is advisable to watch TV programs with your baby and to comment with him based on the images. The child will no longer identify as much with the character, will no longer confuse a movie with a real situation, and will no longer believe that certain behaviors must be applied in everyday life.

TV violence can arouse feelings of fear in the child's soul, and the effects are long-lasting. In addition, it turned out that people who watch a lot of TVs believe that the world is more dangerous than in reality.

Mass media and girls' self-image

The ideal of beauty promoted by the media can affect the image that girls build of themselves. You, in your role as a mother, can help her so that she does not feel the negative effects of advertising campaigns.

More and more girls are starting to have a negative image of their bodies from an early age. In a society where only anorexic models "fit" on the covers of magazines and where store clothes seem to fit only weak people, it is difficult for girls to form a defense mechanism against all these trends.

TV commercials promote high-fat fast food, but celebrity bodies have nothing to do with this lifestyle. What can't be done? You can't turn off the TV, you can't throw away dolls, magazines, newspapers, you can't just go to a dressmaker. You don't have to deny her access to print or audio-visual media, but you can be with her whenever you can.

Thus, you will find out what she thinks about celebrities, about how she compares to them. You will be able to tell her about the army of stylists that is at the feet of the stars, you can show her different pictures so that she will notice that they are processed to be more beautiful. However, it is not valid for all sports. Ballet, modern dance, skating can also affect her self-image.

Listen to her to find out if she is happy if the teacher/instructor sends her positive messages. And you play an important role in the way your little girl perceives herself. If you are constantly dieting and confess that you are not happy with the way you look, you will not be well. You have to be strong first and foremost for yourself. Don't forget to always be with them.

Get involved in her activities so that she feels that you are with her no matter what happens. Help her to strengthen her self-image, to respect herself. Eating disorders are a current problem that we do not give due importance to.

The images we have about our bodies are distorted, as they are strongly influenced by the messages we receive from the outside world. Children and adolescents are the most vulnerable to these messages. Be with your children, listen to them and you will always know how you can help them.

A child is a daily cause for joy, but it also involves a great responsibility. You need to be actively involved in his education, to help him develop the critical apparatus necessary to decipher the messages from the external environment.