Reflection of Module 1 Readings
Out of Zaslow and Butler’s three models of media literacy, the Constructivist model aligned with my personal beliefs and opinions the most. Since media has become such a dominant factor in today’s society, it is important to not only enjoy it but to be able to be analytical users and understand the full concept of media. There are so many benefits that come along with the use of media, as explained in University of Michigan’s Health System: Television and Children. It gives many benefits of children and television such as the idea that television can truly be educational and open up new Worlds by exposing children to different cultures, ideas and ultimately allowing them to “travel the globe” simply by watching television. In Jesse Gainer’s article Social Critique and Pleasure, she explains that it is important to think critically when engaging in media such as popular music. When I was younger I would listen to certain songs but have no idea what the lyrics meant. I would just dance a long to the beat. In a way that is okay, but looking about and now listening to songs such as, Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera, thinking how did my mom let her be my first concert?! Well, I asked her. She said that it did not matter because I didn’t know what the songs were implying; which is true. However, in my opinion younger generations are a lot more advanced now more than ever. My youngest brother is 15 and he is exposed to things that I learned about going into college. I think it is very important to be able to make sense out of the media and be able to have our opinions, beliefs and styles when it comes to the media. This is where I think that young children need to be able to be analytical about the media they are being exposed to, especially to be educated about what is right and what is wrong about being exposed to “too much” media. This is where a part of my beliefs parallel with Protectionists or Discrimination Models.
Although there are many positive effects of media, there are a lot of negatives. According to “Why Media Literacy” PowerPoint, on average, children will see 10,000 murders, rapes, and violence per year on television. As well as, 14,000 sexual references or acts. Backing up these statistics, University of Michigan’s article explains that kids are more exposed to information about sexuality, stereotypes, drugs and alcohol while watching television. This is why it is important for children to be media literate. If I were parent now, I would want to teach my children this on my own time, rather than them turning on the TV and being exposed to it themselves. I agree with Elissa Strauss when she says to not completely get rid of media and television but to monitor and limit the amount of consumption (The Debate Over Screen Time Is Really About Moms, Not Kids).
