Do you think there might be a “sensitive period” during which children are most strongly influenced by TV?

Question

If so, when would that occur and how would it reflect on researchers of children's media?
Might there be other sensitive periods for other types of media?

Answer 1

yeah i know it sounds like something u might expect me to say but i would say anyway from 8 to 10 or preteen and teen. it depends on if it's a girl or boy too and what they are watching.

just watch what they watch.

Answer 2

I think children are influenced most by televition at a younger age. I would say mostly from 3-8. This is when children start getting a sense of self and who they are. They start becoming an individual and having their own opinions. I think cartoons today are to adult oriented. (some cartoons)
I dont think its a good learning experience for children to be watching programs, when the characters on the show have a nasty attitude. Or for that matter pick on other children, or do things they shouldnt be doing. I've watched cartoons and have watched how children can 'act out' certain charecters in a show because our children want to be like them. They are influenced. Greatly! Because at that age, their minds are delicate and all they are attracted to things that seem cool to them. Definatly watch what they watch a few times to get a feel for the cartoon. See if the show/charecters/attitudes/ are a good example of what you want your child to be.
Im not saying your child will be influenced by these things forever. Eventually they will grow out of it as we all did and really become their own person. But untill they truley know right from wrong, its a good idea to help steer them in the right direction.

Answer 3

Of course! Children are easily influenced! We know that very well because we market to them at every given opportunity which actually spans quite a bit when we think about it! We have early morning television, which is actually quite innocent in comparison to the leverage that we allow in other circumstances.

Children are sensitive of course and we all know just how much if we are sensitive adults - that is ! They can learn to spell, to count and sing nursery rhymes that parents either couldn't be bothered teaching or legitemately cannot teach their kids within the constraints of normal working hours and thus leave the finer details to the abc!

Actually, children who are not monitored adequetly are most easily influenced in the hours pre and post school. Generally, that is between 730-8.45am and 345.430pm. Please monitor your childs activity in the above hours or at least speak to then of the probable influences.

Answer 4

Children in their first year of life should not watch TV at all. Those who watch a lot of TV grow up with short attention spans, distinguish truth from fiction at an older age (like knowing is Santa Clause real), and have a harder time socializing with people their own age.

Answer 5

Children are influenced by advertisements 100% at any age because those ads AIMED specifically at children, and are calculated to manipulate their choices and stimulate needs they didn't have before.

Children are hard-wired to learn, 100% of the time. Keep unwanted influences to a minimum if you can.

Answer 6

kids are influenced by TV for most of their adolescents, I mean that is how many of them pick a career by some TV character, but the key to proper influence is the parent watching teh TV with them, the content needs to be explained, the difference between fiction and non fiction...proper morals that they want the kids to learn, but all to often the parent leaves the room, and doesnt watch the programs with the kids, because they are selfish and arent entertained.