Parents should form a comprehensive strategy for allowing childre...
Parents should form a comprehensive strategy for allowing children to use media such as TV, radio, videogames and the Internet wisely, according to a new report sponsored by Cable in the Classroom (CIC) and the National PTA. The report…
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released Fri. is part of the educational component the cable industry has been touting in recent weeks as it responds to criticism of sex and violence in programming. NCTA Pres. Robert Sachs said the report was “just the kind of information needed to help families make their own choices about responsible television viewing.” The 21-page document is meant as a reference to help parents and others consider the effects media can have on children. Conducted by the American Institutes for Research, principal author Douglas Levin said that although some recent studies show media usage should be limited for children, especially very young ones, used correctly media can serve as important educational tools. The report suggests parents consider the unique stages and needs of children; educate themselves about children’s media; encourage active, creative and open-ended use of media; and teach children media literacy skills. The report includes a chart designed to help parents use media creatively. For instance, for a child 2-3 years old, the chart suggests media that employ motor skills such as tracing on a screen, singing songs or finding objects on a screen. The report will be distributed through schools, PTAs, on the Internet and through cable companies. Asked why many parents don’t use V-chips in their TV sets to limit TV usage, CIC Pres. Peggy O'Brien said the report deals only with how parents can make choices in using the V-chip.