On Thursday 8 December ARACY will publish a comprehensive report ‘Television and young children – Quality, choice and the role of parents: what the experts and parents say’.
The report was developed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) and author Margaret Chandler will present the findings at a free webinar, also on Thursday 8 December.
As part of the report, researchers spoke with Australian parents and grandparents of young children aged 2-8.
They found that, when it comes to television, parents agree with the experts: they want quality TV. They know that quality television will promote their children’s healthy development.
Parents want their children to experience what they remember fondly from television programs they watched when they were young: entertaining stories that connect them to and expand their world, told by people who have their wellbeing in mind. Programs that nurture the children’s sense of curiosity, fun, creativity, and also model kindness and gentleness.
However, what not all parents are aware of is the essential role they need to play to make sure TV is a positive in their child’s life.
And because TV is the major media platform in the lives of families, it’s important that parents have this information and the tools to make their role easier in what is now a difficult environment, with a lot on offer that is not suitable for children and often of poor quality.
TV plays a positive role in young children’s lives when it’s high quality and when parents monitor their children’s viewing, watch television with them and talk about the program. We often hear about the negative side with violence, sexualisation and ads for unhealthy food, and parents are really concerned about this.
However with the Young Children and Media project, ARACY want to focus on the positive aspects of television, the role of parents and the need for quality, locally produced programs.
Australia should not miss the opportunity to use quality TV to support our youngest children’s healthy development.
The report ‘Television and young children – Quality, choice and the role of parents: what the experts and parents say’ will be on our website from 8 December.
Why not join us for the free webinar? Click here to read more and register online.
What are your thoughts about television viewing for your children aged between 2 and 8? Do you watch TV with your children? Do you remember your favourite programs when you were very young? Send us a comment.
You can also use this blog to post any questions we may not have time to ask the presenter at Thursday’s webinar.
