Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year Olds(Re-Post)

Summary

“Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year Olds” is a study published in 2005 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on health care issues/policy in the United States. The study focuses on the role of media and technology in the lives of 8-18 year olds during the time when it was conducted, and how that role has changed from earlier years. Specifically, it concentrates on the amount of media usage of young people, including time spent watching TV, playing video games, and using a computer. The study also collected data on such factors as how many televisions were in the household, how (and if) media usage was limited, if the young person had their own television/video game system, etc. Some facts and figures: 68% of kids surveyed had their own televisions, 31% had their own computer, and less than half said their family has rules concerning TV watching/video game playing/listening to music. On average, kids spent nearly 6.5 hours a day engaging in the use of media, over four hours of which was spent in front of the television.

The main purpose of the study is to highlight the importance of media in today’s youth: “Without question, this generation truly is the media generation, devoting more than a quarter of each day to media…anything that takes up this much space in young people’s lives deserves our full attention.” Past this however, the paper refrains from making judgments or calling for a certain action. The main focus is simply to study the media usage patterns of young people and report them to the academic world, as well as the public at large, for the purpose of further study and action on the part of others in response to this data. From the website of the Kaiser Family Foundation, “We serve as a non-partisan source of facts, information, and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the public.” Overall, what the Kaiser Family Foundation has at stake in the presentation of these findings is the building and maintenance of their image as a reliable source of relevant information.

Inquiry

Based upon the data being presented, I would certainly agree with the claim made by the Kaiser Family Foundation that media plays a central role in the lives of our youth. Even before reading the data in the paper, it was clear to me how prevalent media is in our society, especially with young people. I myself engage in the use of media quite heavily, especially as a college student. My computer is essential to a successful experience here as an undergraduate student, and that is something that won’t change as my college career progresses. All of the information, assignments, essays, etc. that I need to do well in all of my classes are stored in this one machine, which I use even now as I respond to this study. I would also agree with the claim that the role of media in the lives of young people is a very important one, and that with these figures in mind, steps should be taken to make sure that media usage is regulated in such as way as to be as beneficial as possible for people growing up. There is a line between the abuse of technology and the various forms of entertainment and communication available, and the use of it in such a way as to enrich one’s life. For an example of this, one has to look no further than Facebook. There are a variety of activities to engage in through Facebook, some of which encourage intellectual discussion and others which are simply mindless game-playing. Groups that users can join to state their opinion on an issue/debate it make for a relatively effective use of time, while the option to play Flash games through Facebook only adds to the numerous distractions of the internet, and the amount of hours kids and young adults spend on their computers.

Discussion Questions

1. 1. How important of a role would you say media plays in your life?

2. 2. Do you believe that media, in general, is too prevalent in our society/culture, especially for young people (ages 8-18)?

3. What steps should be taken to increase the benefits that media has in kids’ lives/what steps should be taken to reduce any harmful effects that media may have on kids?