The Rights of the Child

The public realizing the impact that the media has on children has tried to protect and at the same time empower them. In David Buckingham’s book, The Death of Childhood, he explains current beliefs regarding children and media, and the responsibilities of adults to nurture and educate children in this more media related adult world.



Buckingham cites the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, continually updated to remain current, and ratified differently by individual countries, as evidence that adults want to protect children from anything that can be “injurious to their well-being” (Buckingham, p 200). While the premise of this convention is to protect children from violence (prohibiting children from military involvement) to the sale of children (as slaves or child prostitutes), it also includes youngsters’ exposure to violence, sex, and the evils of advertisers. Some countries also focus on the importance of giving children a voice to express their views.
As a parent I understand the need to protect, but like Buckingham, I also understand the importance of informing children to allow them to make their own decisions.

Kids Will be Kids
Children tend to not be as delicate and gullible as many believe. Experts who link childhood violence (the 1993 murder of a two-year old by two ten-year olds) to violent films and television (Child’s Play 3) neglect to point out other factors (psychological of the individuals) to fully place blame on media itself. Most children that view violent films, do so out of the thrill they get being frightened, much like riding on a roller coaster. The older you are, the more you can handle.

Although children can be savvy consumers and critics of advertisements, one area of concern is the creation of cartoons, to sell merchandise, developed early on by the Disney corporation, and is now common place. Many shows on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and the Disney channel currently produce programs for the “tween” consumers (with disposable income), merchandising Hannah Montana, iCarly, and Star Wars the Clone Wars clothes, backpacks, lunchboxes, and even literature. Buckingham points out that children admit to buying items to express their identity and to keep pace with their peers, not because of the advertising. Maybe the program-length commercial is duping them into an alternative identity that involves the characters of the show. Educating the young consumers about advertising and commerce would help them to understand the businesses motives and become even more astute shoppers.

Media education is essential to the growth of children today. It creates opportunities for children to create their own communities and their own learning experiences. Educators and parents need to have open conversations about the uses and dangers inherent in any community, and give them the tools and strategies to comprehend the information and situations, as well as how to deal with them.