Cyber Propaganda
By: Abby Penland
“Computers are fast becoming one of the most important conduits of pop culture for our children. But who would have imagined that computers could transport your child into the red-light district? Although the Internet opens up fabulous educational and entertainment worlds, the dangers are many.”
I chose this article from the Regis library database, Academic OneFile research on mass media and children. In summary, this article describes the effects of mass media and pop culture on children. Not limited to cyberspace, the influences of mass media on children is astounding. Violence and sexually explicit information has permeated pop culture, negatively influencing children. This includes music, magazines, television and cyberspace that promote values which are not beneficial to children at any age. As an example, much of today’s popular music is sexually explicit, graphically violent, or obsessed with abuse and drug use. Although not all lyrics are easy to understand, the effect is apparent and blatantly obvious – children are negatively impacted by these influences. Another example are the magazines aimed at teenagers; these publications provide more than just information on trends and music, many of them imply that teenage sex is ok by promoting certain brands of birth control or advice columns telling teenagers how to handle certain sexual encounters; they also tend to suggest that graphic violence and offensive language is ok in movies and music. However, above all, computers are quickly becoming the number one culprit of this issue. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has documented dozens of cases of pedophiles using cyberspace to lure kids into sex; pornography is more than readily available to minors without them ever having to look for it; graphic and violent material is becoming increasingly common as well, even on websites designed for children.
Obviously, complete censorship is not an option – children have access to computers, music, magazines, etc. no matter where they go. The best measure is to make sure that they understand the consequences of their actions and are led by example. This article points out the negative effects of media on children, but fails to point out that parents play a huge role in the decisions of their children. In addition to demonstrating certain issues that parents fail to see at times, this article also provides an abundant amount of alternatives for parents to provide to their children in forms of acceptable teenage magazines and websites, as well as information on how to discuss certain issues with children.
This article can be found at:
Napier, Kristine. "Antidotes to pop culture poison." Policy Review n86 (Nov-Dec 1997 n86): 12(3). Academic OneFile. Gale. BCR Regis University. 14 Apr. 2008
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Document Number: A20023869
By: Abby Penland
“Computers are fast becoming one of the most important conduits of pop culture for our children. But who would have imagined that computers could transport your child into the red-light district? Although the Internet opens up fabulous educational and entertainment worlds, the dangers are many.”
I chose this article from the Regis library database, Academic OneFile research on mass media and children. In summary, this article describes the effects of mass media and pop culture on children. Not limited to cyberspace, the influences of mass media on children is astounding. Violence and sexually explicit information has permeated pop culture, negatively influencing children. This includes music, magazines, television and cyberspace that promote values which are not beneficial to children at any age. As an example, much of today’s popular music is sexually explicit, graphically violent, or obsessed with abuse and drug use. Although not all lyrics are easy to understand, the effect is apparent and blatantly obvious – children are negatively impacted by these influences. Another example are the magazines aimed at teenagers; these publications provide more than just information on trends and music, many of them imply that teenage sex is ok by promoting certain brands of birth control or advice columns telling teenagers how to handle certain sexual encounters; they also tend to suggest that graphic violence and offensive language is ok in movies and music. However, above all, computers are quickly becoming the number one culprit of this issue. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has documented dozens of cases of pedophiles using cyberspace to lure kids into sex; pornography is more than readily available to minors without them ever having to look for it; graphic and violent material is becoming increasingly common as well, even on websites designed for children.
Obviously, complete censorship is not an option – children have access to computers, music, magazines, etc. no matter where they go. The best measure is to make sure that they understand the consequences of their actions and are led by example. This article points out the negative effects of media on children, but fails to point out that parents play a huge role in the decisions of their children. In addition to demonstrating certain issues that parents fail to see at times, this article also provides an abundant amount of alternatives for parents to provide to their children in forms of acceptable teenage magazines and websites, as well as information on how to discuss certain issues with children.
This article can be found at:
Napier, Kristine. "Antidotes to pop culture poison." Policy Review n86 (Nov-Dec 1997 n86): 12(3). Academic OneFile. Gale. BCR Regis University. 14 Apr. 2008
Document Number: A20023869
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