Abstract
Media consuption is a term in “sociology” that describes the individuals that organize information on the basis of the use of produced goods, rather than on the axis of services and production. Mediums that fall under the scope of media consumption include radio, television, computer, mobile phones, newspaper, and magazine formats. The usage patterns and applications of these tools are internet, music, movies, games, etc. Among children between the ages of 5 and 8, those who do not use computers represent a small percentage of 10%. Even within this age group, a large majority know how to use computers. More than half of children under the age of 8 have played games and watched videos at least once via a smartphone, iPod, iPad or similar device. According to a US study, children spend about 9 hours a day on the screen. Besides this, despite all the options, listening to music and watching television for children and young people continue to be a favorite activity. This paper further explores the impact of media consumption on children's development.
TopIntroduction
Child Development
Development is the process that takes place within integrity. Differences in physical, emotional and social aspects are a method of choice for a more detailed analysis. In order to make right decisions about the child, detailed information about him or her is needed. Their talent, success, interests, social and emotional maturity and intentions are the dimensions which give clues about this issue. From the historical point of view of the child's development, it is seen that, from the antiquity to date, the behaviour of the parents towards the child is not very positive. The fact revealed by the historical sources of civilization is that direct and indirect behaviours towards the child are classified from distant, rigid, sloppy and ordinary behaviours towards a structure that could express and fulfill the wishes and expectations and that is tried to be gradually understood and which is believed to have rights (Yavuzer, 1993).
In terms of development dimensions; developmental integrity is mentioned in terms of cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor perspectives. Developmental periods include cross-sectional review methods that make it easier for us to see physical and psychological changes theat depend on age. Based on the fact that the child's reactions and behaviors differ according to age, their attitudes (tendencies) can be analyzed. It has to be seen that adult behaviors and child behaviors differ from each other and child behaviours in itself differ according to age categories (Yükselen & Turan, 2015:12).
It is important to understand how children normally develop so as to comprehend children's media use and choices. In this context, assumptions about important developmental characteristics of the four childhood periods (infant and newborn infants, early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence) and about how these characteristics affect the children's media use and choices are formed (Beentjes, Koolstra, Marseille, & van der Voort, 2001; Szybist, 2011).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Consumption: The act of consuming, as by use, decay, or destruction.
Social media: Websites and other online means of communication that are used bylarge groups of people to share information and to develop social and professional contacts.
Childhood: The state or period of being a child.
Media: Means of communication, radio and television, newspapers, magazines, and the internet, that reach or influence people widely.
Babyhood: An infant or very young child.
Consuming: Strongly and urgently felt.
Consumerism: Modern movement for the protection of the consumer againstuseless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc.
Screen: A specially prepared, light-reflecting surface on which motion pictures, slides, etc. may be projected.