Media Consumption

Last night, our technology in education class reviewed data released by the Kaiser Family Foundation regarding the amount of media students consume.  Although I was not surprised that technology has become more readily available for young people today, I was floored by how much television children consume and how few boundaries they have regarding the consumption of television and other media in the home.  According to the report, 64% of young people say that the television is left on during meal time, while 45% say that the television is left on most of the time even when no one is actively watching.  Furthermore, only three in ten students report actually having rules in their home about how much time they can spend with media.

I suppose when you consider the way that media reaches us in the world, these statistics shouldn't be so alarming.   Furthermore, though my kneejerk reaction to the statistic was negative, the consumption of media on a massive scale may not necessarily be a bad thing.  Media can be educational and eye opening.  Television today offers something for everyone.  Basic networks tend to offer an array of programming for entertainment purposes alone, set aside regular news and educational programs.  When you consider the variety available on cable television, the potential for impact is huge.  Students with televisions have access to whole networks that broadcast in other languages, world news, networks with content specifically tailored to interests in history, science, travel, nature, craftsmanship, music, and culture just to name a very few.  The potential to engage students and to spark real curiosity is endless. 

This statistic is invaluable because it allows educators to understand the ways in which their students receive information.  However, we have to take all information, even statistical data, with a grain of salt.  It would be naïve to think that all students are truly going home to watch the National Geographic Network or that they consume the nightly world news from the Spanish language network in order to stay informed and practice another language.  Furthermore, the purpose of collecting statistical data and presenting it in a certain light may be to intentionally illicit a specific reaction from the consumer and move them toward certain conclusions and actions as a result.  Nonetheless, sound statistical data on what people consume will always reveal something relevant about our culture that can in turn be utilized to reach others. 

Sources:

Daily Media Use Among Children and Teens Up Dramatically From Five Years Ago - Kaiser Family Foundation. (2010, January 20). The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia012010nr.cfm

[Untitled photograph of family watching television]. Retrieved August 30, 2012 from http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/old-fashioned-tv.jpg