CHAPTER 12 : HOW DO REAL FAMILIES MAKE SMART MEDIA CHOICES?

KEY POINTS

Multiple interviews done by Guernsey with multiple types of family dynamics in regards to media choices and needs.

Prior AAP recommendation of no screen time before age 2 sent parents into panic.

Difficult to come to clear conclusion due to many different families interviewed

THEMES

Reoccurring themes throughout book: Content, Context, individual needs.

Guernsey compiles itemized list of real families “smart media choices”

Overview of a few most important elements

LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Time limits, when to turn TV on, controlled content

Where screens located in home, limiting background TV, dealing with children of different ages

Single parents, awareness of caregivers Tivo and videos

QUESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

1.If class, schedule, and family dynamics are most likely always going to be social issues, how will we ever get a solid conclusion?

2.If technology continues to progress at the current speed, how will we ever catch up in regards to the effect media has upon our youth, never mind our infants?

3.What if after all is said and done, media could actually have an overwhelming positive effect?