discussion 2

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review Interactive Unit 2: Individuals in Society, paying particular attention to the sections on socialization.
Reflect on the idea that the media’s functions are to entertain, socialize, and enforce social norms.
Consider how a child’s age might affect his or her understanding of what is real on television.
With these thoughts in mind:

BY DAY 3

Post a description of potential implications for socialization that stem from discrepancies between television characters and reality. For example, you might want to conduct research to determine whether the ratio of male to female prime-time television characters is higher or lower than the actual ratio in the U.S. population, and then discuss why this might be important.

Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the week’s required readings.

Reading piece ( be sure to citation)

TV Viewing Among Kids at an Eight-Year High

Media 10-26-2009

Citation: Patricia McDonough, SVP Insights, Analysis and Policy, The Nielsen Company

American children aged 2-11 are watching more and more television than they have in years. New findings from The Nielsen Company show kids aged 2-5 now spend more than 32 hours a week on average in front of a TV screen. The older segment of that group (ages 6-11) spend a little less time, about 28 hours per week watching TV, due in part that they are more likely to be attending school for longer hours.

This trend of increased viewing among children mirrors the overall increase in media consumption we’ve been tracking over the last two years across TV, Internet, Games, and Mobile phones. And much like their older family members, the majority of viewing for these kids is still done watching live TV.

Very Early Adopters

While 97% of kids’ viewing is through live TV, younger kids spend more time than the older group viewing via DVR, DVD, and, to a lesser extent, VCR. Four percent of kids aged 2-5 watch via those devices on average across total day compared to 2.3% for those aged 6-11. Their considerable use of these devices at a young age points to them being able to adopt new devices comfortably as they grow up. One more thing younger kids do more than those aged 6-11 watch more commercials. Young kids also watch commercials in playback mode more than older kids and adults, as well as watch their favorite shows over and over and over on DVD, VOD, and DVR.

Older kids may not use the DVR, DVD, and VCR as much as the very young, but they spend twice as much time playing video games — 2 hours 23 minutes a week compared to 1 hour 12 minutes for those 2-5. Internet usage among older kids is also significantly higher as nearly half of kids 6-11 spent time on the Internet in August versus 20% of kids 2-5.

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