21 / 52
CHILDREN AND
TELEVISION
One of the biggest dilemmas parents face today is keeping children away from
colorful screens. It is necessary to pay attention to expert opinions about how
the consciousness and imaginations of children, especially those aged between
0-6, are affected by television programs.
ethical values. Actually, the only thing needed is
collaborative work between both professional
groups. Such work would reveal the education of
the media and the media of education. What we
call media education is for everyone from children
to adults and frommedia employees to educa-
tors.”
Should the media provide us with everything?
Should it be unlimitedly free? It is a well-known
fact that you will receive “yes” as an answer if
those questions are answered by media bosses
or executive media employees. On the other
hand, it is necessary to remember that the media
should act according to its social function. While
the media is supposed to strain everything from
the filter of conscience, morality, and education
and take the social benefits of such into account,
it appears as an institution which corrupts the
moral values fastest on the contrary.
I
It is an undeniable truth that the media is probably
the most powerful factor that shapes people’s lives
in today’s world. Its effects on children, which start
from birth and continue into adulthood, are more
than the impact of their parents, school or social
environment.When considered from this point of
view, such an effective instrument must have an
educative dimension. School counselor Muhammet
Aydın says that media professionals defend their
right to display everything because they consider
communication to be a universal right and they give
priority to speaking, writing and broadcasting what
they wish rather than prioritizing educational prog-
rams; however, news and television programs pre-
pared from this perspective only seek high ratings.
“Nothing is cared about apart from ratings; howe-
ver, as educators we think that television programs
should be prepared in such a way to contribute to
the education of society within the boundaries of
PARENTING DILEMMA:
yesilay.org.tr
21
YEŞiLAY
•
October-November-December 2015