Media Literacy and You
a b r i e f g u i d e for p a r e n t s
Powerpoint by Kate Bagby, 2005
Facts about kids and TV from
the Center for Media Education.
The average American child watches
2-3 hours daily.
Preschool kids average 3-4 hours daily.
Television programs that include “prosocial
interactions” and nonsterotypic portrayals can
lead to cooperation, reduction in prejudice,
reduction in traditional sex-role attitudes and
good citizenship.
Facts about kids and TV from
the Center for Media Education.
Parents are present only 25% of the time
that preschoolers watch TV.
Until age 9 or 10 children lack essential
skills or information necessary to understand
adult programs.
Prime Time TV – 5 violent acts per hour.
Saturday morning TV – 20-25 violent acts per hour.
Facts about kids and TV from
the Center for Media Education.
Children who watch a lot of aggressive programs
tend to use aggression to resolve conflict.
Most children under 6 do not understand that
advertisers are trying to sell them a product.
5 to 1
5 hours of programs = 1 hour of
commercial advertisements.
The more TV children watch the more they
are likely to believe commercial claims.
What are Critical Viewing Skills and Media Literacy?
The written, spoken and word defined the critical
areas of literacy in the past. Today, technology provides
us with additional resources in the form of electronic
images and messages that we “read” or “interpret”
and “evaluate.”
This new The Information Age requires that we be critical
viewers of programs and commercials. We must learn to
recognize and defuse the effects of commercials and
media violence. When we intentionally do this by
questioning what we see and hear, we are on the road
to media literacy.
The Four Literacy Skills Required for the
Information Age
Print:
Reading, writing
Language:
Speaking and listening
Computer:
Using software,
Using technology to create and send messages
Media:
Critical viewing
Image and video production
Four Points to Remember as you watch TV
#1 - People create television programs and their messages
to achieve specific results.
#2 - Different people and age groups interpret programs
and messages differently.
#3 - TV violence takes many forms.
#4 - TV programs have an underlying economic purpose.
#1 - People create television programs and their
Messages to achieve specific results.
Hmm, what about the number
of calories per serving?
All TV programs and their messages are deliberately put together piece-by-piece to get the
desired final effect. Putting together a program is like building a house – there are numerous
choices to make a every step. Each decision determines what is included, what is left out and
what the overall house will look like. When complete, the house will send clear “messages”
about the kinds of people who built it.
#1 - People create television programs and their messages
to achieve specific results.
Activities:
1. Discuss TV’s Point Of View
2. Keep telling children that TV is pretend.
3. Pay attention to camera angles, music
and special effects in a TV show.
4. Ask how did they make this program.
5. Have children make their own TV show.
Commercials and other programs are created to appeal to a large audience by showing a wide
range of fantasies and emotion, from fear and sadness to adventure and amusement.
Help children understand that commercials and TV programs usually pretend--not real.
Beware of technical elements, such as music, lighting, camera angles and stunts,
that can persuade viewers to feel a certain way. Explain that even if a program seems real,
the events have been edited and altered to be more appealing to YOU.
#2 – Different people and age groups interpret programs
and messages differently.
Hey, this isn’t cool, what
do you think?”
It’s common to assume that all people watching a certain show will interpret or “read” its
messages similarly or get the same message from the show. In reality, people interpret the
show within the framework of the own identity, experiences and age. Parents need to be
mindful of this and make sure they direct the meaning of the programs for their children by
talking openly with them.
#2 – Different people and age groups interpret programs
and messages differently.
Activities:
1. Talk back to your TV, etc. in
non-threatening ways.
1. Discuss how conflicts on TV are
frequently resolved.
2. Ask your children who is being
stereotyped in a program.
3. Relate TV to real life situations.
4. Use the TV as a tool for promoting
leaning and inspiring creativity and
education.
Hey, this it totally
unreal. It’s TOTALLY
fake..”
#3 - TV violence takes many forms.
That guy is out of
control.
If this doesn’t improve,
How do you think the other
were changing the channel.
character feels??
Gee, I didn’t know
you thought so
much about these
programs.
Violence may be portrayed as realistic, funny or even thrilling. Discuss realism, humor, harm,
danger and pain with children as you watch cartoons, and other programs. Although slapstick
humor can seem funny to some, othersmight find it violent. Sensitize your children to TV
violence by discussing the feelings of the victim. Ask your children if violence is ever funny, as
in cartoons, and point out that real life doesn’t work that way.
#3 - TV violence takes many forms.
Activities:
What would
you do?
1. Re-sensitize your children
.
to TV violence by asking how
the victim might feel?
2. Ask your children if violence is ever
funny, such as in cartoons.
3. Help children interpret what they see.
4. Pay attention to what your preschooler
sees you or another adult watching.
.
Certainly, not
what they did.
Ummm, mom
and dad, you
really care!!
#4 - TV programs have an underlying economic purpose.
If I eat Cheerios, will I
be fearless and strong?
You need to get Media
Literate.
Most television is supported by paid advertising. Explain to children that advertisers want TV
viewers to buy products. Ask children why they think certain commercial air during specific
programs. Discuss how commercials often make products appear more exciting than they are
in reality.
#4 - TV programs have an underlying economic purpose.
Activities:
1. Ask young children why they
think certain commercials are
aired on certain programs. For
example, toys ads during
cartoons.
2. Try to predict the kinds of
commercials that will appear
in a selected show.
3. When your children see their
favorite sports hero telling
them to try this food, or shoe,
or other product, ask them if
they think the star gets paid to
say those things.
TV commercials are designed
to get you to spend money
their way.
Now that you mention
it, what your saying
makes sense.
Spread the Word and get
MEDIA LITERATE!
MORE INFORMATION ON MEDIA LITERACY
Directory of Media Literact Related Sites and Studies
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/media_lit/related_study.s
htm
Media Literacy Clearing House -http://www.med.sc.edu:1081/
The Center for Media Literacy -http://www.medialit.org
Media Literacy Online Project -http://interact.uoregon.edu/MediaLit/HomePage
New Mexico Media Literacy Project -http://www.nmmlp.org/http://www.nmmlp.org/
Alliance for a Media Literate America (AMLA)
http://www.AMLAinfo.org
Links to Media Literacy Organizations
http://ciconline.org/Enrichment/MediaLinks/default.htm
REFERENCES
X-ENTERTAINMENT
http://x-entertainment.com/downloads/
Taking Charge of Your TV
http://www.lesley.edu/faculty/mgilman/webpageslesley/video/resources/PE_ML_T
C_ParentGuide.pdf
REFERENCES
X-ENTERTAINMENT
http://x-entertainment.com/downloads/
Taking Charge of Your TV
http://www.lesley.edu/faculty/mgilman/webpageslesley/video/resources/PE_ML_T
C_ParentGuide.pdf
Links to Media Literacy Organizations
http://ciconline.org/Enrichment/MediaLinks/default.htm