In the course of the last few decades, the range, content and the variety of media and thus people’s everyday lives have changed rapidly. Media such as television, computers and the Internet, smartphones and tablets have become a natural part of our everyday life.
The media equipment in families has risen sharply: in almost all households with children and adolescents, a television set, mobile phone or smartphone, but also a computer, tablet or laptop belong to the basic equipment in households with children. The sharp increase in Internet access in households with children as well as from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets make it clear how access, have changed the availability and use of media.
Children come into contact with the media at an ever younger age
Even small children grow up surrounded by various media. Be it that you observe parents, older siblings or friends using media or try out different media yourself. In addition to the “old” media such as cassette, CD, television , DVD and computer, they often experience the use of new media such as cell phones, smartphones , digital cameras or tablets as interesting and appealing objects.
The operation of the media is becoming easier and more “child-friendly”: Above all, the operation of modern digital media such as smartphones and tablets comes with swiping, tapping, zooming and clicking on the typical touch-sensitive surfaces in the natural childish way, with media and others Dealing with objects.
Media can also be used on the go
While in the past the use of media by television, radio and later also by computers was fixed, in recent years mobile media such as smartphones , cell phones, tablets and music players have become constant companions outside of the home. This also means that many media devices are used at the same time, such as the smartphone while watching TV.
The Internet also opens up “unlimited living spaces” for children : Today, children learn at an early age to get information, to communicate, to play and to keep themselves busy using the media and online on the Internet . This gives you a multitude of new possibilities, which at the same time expose you to completely new “dangers”.
The modern digital media, as they shape the everyday life of families today, did not play such an important role in the childhood of the parents’ generation. In the meantime, however, a change is taking place here, as the current adolescent and young parents have already grown up with a comparatively large range of media.
The media offerings and their use will continue to change and develop and will maintain their influence on everyday family life and growing up. Skepticism and caution with regard to the content and technology that this causes children are certainly appropriate. Only then can parents actually provide their child with advice when dealing with the media and find meaningful rules for dealing with the media.
What families should pay attention to when dealing with the media
We obtain a large part of the information through the media to know the best frying pan to get. The exchange between people now also often takes place via modern media – via e-mails, chats, social networks or internet forums. For us, modern media are tools and toys. They offer us knowledge and diversion. What we see and experience in the media also has an impact on our thoughts and feelings, on our attitudes, wishes and needs.