1. Why Do We Care about Media’s
Influence on Children?
Paradigms of
Empowerment and Protection
Media and Children
Fall 2012
Renee Hobbs

2. Development Happens:
The Whole Human Being
• Physical
• Cognitive
• Emotional
• Social
• Moral/Ethical

3. Videos Document
Human Development as a Process

4. Protection - Empowerment:
A Two-Sided Coin

5. Protection

6. Empowerment

7. Fool’s Gold
• What are the essential ingredients for healthy
child development?
• What’s wrong with trying to “speed up” the
cognitive development of children?
• How may early computer use affect the child’s
body?
• How may computer use affect social and
emotional development?
• How may computer use affect creativity and
intellectual development?

9. • What is the difference between interactive and
non-interactive media? Is it important? Why or
why not?
• Why is screen media not recommended for
children under age 2?
• What are examples of “appropriate” and
“inappropriate” uses of technology?
• What kinds of equity issues exist in children’s use
of technology?
• What benefits does interactive technology offer to
children? How may digital media empower
children and families?