As teachers, it is seen as our responsibility, as well as
parents/guardian’s, to educate children about the issues and dangers, as well
as the uses and benefits, of technology in the digital age. However, this blog
aims to focus on why teachers should care about digital literacy and children
in the digital age. As we know, the society we live in is largely based upon
the growing knowledge, understanding and use of technology; therefore, children
are surrounded by many different forms of technology in their everyday lives
which is readily available to them.
The Sexualisation of Young People Review (2010) highlights
some important key issues surrounding children in the digital age. The main
focus of these issues is that children being exposed to media, ie: images,
films, adverts etc., which is not age-appropriate and links to unrealistic
stereotypes of both men, women, boys and girls. The article states that as there
is an increase in these images and adverts in the media there is an increase in
the potential danger to children who are readily exposed to these. Palfrey and
Gasser (2008) further develops this idea by claiming that there is a high risk of
psychological harm for children, who are exposed to things they are not ready
to witness yet it suggesting that it is essential for parents and educators to
address these topics and issues with children to protect them.
Papadopoulos (2010) conveys how boys and girls and being
influenced by these messages and images from the internet and adverts which
influence their culture norms and change children’s ideals about what they
think they are and who they should be. From these images and messages, children
gain new expectations, values and ideals which they feel pressured to conform
to (Papadopoulos, 2010). In addition to this, the article goes on further to
state that these images then create pressures for children, leading to a lack
of confidence and poor self-esteem, as women are hyper-sexualised and
objectified and men are hyper-masculinised blurring the lines between reality
and fiction. This then links to children not being old enough or having developed
the initial cognitive skills to deal with these types of media.
Papadopoulos (2010) suggests that it is the role of teachers
and educators as well as parents to educate children and provide opportunities
to ask questions about the things the witness and access. Nevertheless, it is
impossible to restrict and control all the images available online and in the
media that children witness. Arthur (2004) suggests that children are exposed
to content that is not meant for them inadvertently, for example by watching television
with their parents etc. Therefore, children need to be given opportunities to
discuss and explore the internet and media in a safe environment where they
feel supported. Similarly, this relates to the use of digital literacies,
meaning children need to be taught how use media safely, such as the internet.
Therefore, as teachers, it is highly important that we take
an interest in what children are being exposed to and are exposing themselves
to, as it is our job to educate them. Children need to understand the truth
behind this type of media, being taught to understand that what they are shown
is not what is true. As teachers, we need to ensure that children aspire to be
who they are not what they think the media wants them to be. In conclusion, children
need to be exposed to these types of material when they can cognitively comprehend
and understand the truth behind what they are observing and not be harmed by
this. Although, this is an optimistic view, it is clear we cannot control and restrict
everything children see, which is why teachers need to take the responsibility in
educating children about this.
Bibliography:
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Arthur, L. (2004) Popular Culture: Views of parents and educators. Routledge Falmer
Oxon.
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Palfrey, J. and Gasser, U. (2008) Born Digital: understanding the first
generation of digital natives. Basics Books. New York
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Papadopoulos , L. (2010) Sexualisation of Young People Review Home
Office (Executive Summary – link on LN)http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100418065544/http://homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/Sexualisation-young-people2835.pdf?view=Binary
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