The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation published a 2004 research study surrounding media usage in youth ages 8-18 years old that they compare to their past publication in 1999 on the same subject. The first few pages of the report is the introduction, in which raw statistics of media usage within the youth in various decades of the 20th century are highlighted in order to display their opinion that the increasing saturation of media within society is affecting younger generations and should be acknowledged as important. The introduction is broken down into two subsections: the past and current study. The “past study” reveals that the 1999 study was the first “comprehensive examination” of youth’s media exposure. It highlights multiple statistics surrounding media exposure: more than half of youth have personal televisions, average daily media use exceeded 6 hours, heavy hours of one medium influenced that of others, and over 40% of all media use was in regards to TV (Roberts, Foehr, and Rideout 3). These results confirmed past smaller studies, and posed new questions for the future. The current study analysis was address in the concluding notes section of the report. The Kaiser Family Foundation conducted the research on 2,032 young people, 8-18 years old who completed questionnaires, and 694 who completed a 7day diary of their media use. There were multiple statistics results that can be referenced in the report. The analysis, however, made multiple claims: as children grow older, their exposure to media also increases; males are usually more involved with video games, females with Internet social sites such as email and instant messaging; heavy media use results from over use of one medium, as well as media multitasking; academics lower with increase of media involvement; as more of their lives are spent with media personal “contentedness” lowers (Roberts, Foehr, and Rideout 58-60). The report also made interesting observations: although parents seem the most concerned with increasing media technology, most family homes have multiple televisions and computers with little to no restrictions. Ultimately, this research supports the initial claim that “the potential for media to influence significant aspects of their lives should not be ignored…” (Roberts, Foehr, and Rideout 60).
Inquiry:
The first thing I did was look up the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation online (find it here). It’s non-profit and a private organization that emphasizes INFORMATION, but no stance on issues. I found the amount of information presented to be quite daunting, and dense. However, I feel that even though the research was conducted 6 years ago, the information was already outdated. Advancements in computer technology and Internet services have largely surpassed those in 2004. Also not evaluated was social networking sites. Although they fall under the category of computers and Internet, sites such as Facebook are almost larger than instant messaging today. Their grouping of print as a media also interested me: I remember having this discussion at the beginning of the semester within our class. My final stance on the reports overall claim is that it is true, media exposure can affect youth on a large level and this should not be ignored. Do you agree with the overall claim? Do you think that there is any bias in Kaiser’s analysis? How do you think that a study completed today would differ? Do you think media exposure has affected your social life and how?
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I also agree that media exposure affects youth on a large level and that it shouldn't be ignored and also agree that this report is outdated, being only 6 years old. Kaiser's primary focus was on television, music, and video games. If the study were to be done today, much of the same mediums would be studied a long with the Internet, but it is so much more portable today and all can be accessed through one device (ie iPhone, Droid, iPad). Results would show the same correlation, in my opinion, of heavy media exposure affecting youth, but the amount of exposure is probably significantly higher because of how they can be accessed anywhere at anytime. Personally, media exposure has definitely affected my social life. Going a long with my last point, I have been able to access social networking sites on my phone where ever I want. The ability to "media multitask" has given me infinite opportunity to connect, share, and discuss at all times. I don't know if this amount of exposure is a good or bad thing yet because it is still all so new. I would be interested to see if a similar study could be conducted in the coming years, especially to see if there is a statistically reliable information to determine the relationship between media exposure and academic achievement.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the claim that there is an increase in the amount of media usage the older an individual gets but I also think that the type of new media and the appeal it gives off changes. As a child, the T.V was the daily indulgence. However now, I find myself almost never watching T.V but my cell phone is part of my body it seems. I also recall loving my stereo growing up, but now it is all about my ipod. The appeal factor and necessity factor have changed in my life and I think that is another aspect of age vs. new media consumption. I really found the point made about parents concern with children’s media consumption and multiple TV’s in a household very contradicting. Thinking about it now, my parents always scolded my brother about his endless video game usage yet each Christmas he received game after game? As a society we feel more comfortable in “manual” mode where we are the holders to our decisions, uses and styles, unlike technology or the “automatic” mode where reliance comes about. Yet we still go out and buy the newest gadget or gawk over the coolest thing Apple has out. Eventually as a nation, a community, a world we will all have the similar ideals and consistent thought processing. No new media product will bring it about, only old fashion time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Zach's note that the study is outdated. The Internet has made information so accessible and readily available for research, and with more and more individuals "connecting" in to different social communities daily, the number is constantly growing. I also found Rachel's comment interesting, that as a child tv was daily, but now has found other forms of media to use (of course in my case, dorm living has probably been a factor for that change, as going back home I find myself watching tv more than here in school). As for increased media involvement lowering academics, I find that interesting, and question my own choices. For example, I multi-task "all the time." My mapping project earlier this semester is a true testament to that; Facebook is always open in a tab no matter what, my phone sits besides me as I do homework while watching Glee on Hulu. Even as I write up this response, I have Netflix up playing "Bones" and my Facebook chat open. However, my grades have not dropped, we are all Honors Students and I always manage my work on time in a manner that I am "satisfied" with. However, when I am in the need to buckle down and get work done, I do have to exit all my media sources and focus--and it's quite hard. I get anxious, have to take breaks and check social networking sites. I question how this has harmed my education, whether I spend less time reading and studying now then I did back in grade school--I have stopped reading for personal enjoyment, a past time I loved as a kid. Though I can pass my classes and do well in classrooms, I have to admit to some extent I believe my true intelligence has been stifled because priorities have shifted. Children younger and younger exposed to new media that does not incite creativity or critical thinking, I do believe that could have a serious consequence we have yet to see.
ReplyDeleteThough I do agree with the claim that new media’s potential should not be ignored; however, this is a very broad claim to be significantly meaningful. New media is virtually synonymous with new technology, and new technology has never been inconsequential enough to be ignored. I found it most interesting that academics decreased with increased media exposure. There are some types of media, specifically television and video games, where I can see this trend being very true, while others would seem to oppose the trend, with increased access to information and an ability to increase efficiency of many trivial and complex tasks via computer platforms. I personally have chosen to make my career everything that is computers, which means that I will be forced to increase my media exposure to stay on my academic path.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the claim that new media's potential influence should not be overlooked in today's society and the way that it affects our nation's youth. I also agree with the claim that my group members were stating about how outdated this study is. I found Rachel's comment about how television interesting and true in my own life as well. Television was something that was always involved in my life when I was growing up, and lately its been my laptop and cell phone, two things that I know influence my daily actions and interactions. I think that the amount of influence that new media has in our daily lives is inevitable and something that is going to be examined and analyzed as long as media is a contributing factor in our lives and education. I agree with the claim that one of my group members made about how the new media is going to influence those younger than our generation. I think that the consequences could be severe and cause loss of potential knowledge for those who let the new media impact their lives.
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