• Suitable for 2-15Years

Benefits of media for children and teenagers

 

Television, movies, computer games and the internet can be a positive influence on your child, especially if you get involved when your child is using them. But it can be hard to pick the good from the bad when it comes to media. Here are some ideas to help you choose.

Teenager girl and boy interacting with an iPad

did you knowQuestion mark symbol

  • Three-quarters of parents (76%) believe video games can have a positive effect on children when played in moderation. They say the benefits include improved motor skills and hand-eye coordination (94%), problem-solving skills (91%) and creativity (72%).
  • Most (4 out of 5) parents say they enjoy playing video games with their children.
 

Media and child development: the basics

There are many negative messages about media, and how viewing and interacting with it might harm your child.

In fact, research shows that children can benefit from media. The benefits depend on how old your child is, and what kind and quality of media your child is using. 

For children under two, there are no benefits from any media. For children aged 2-8, carefully chosen TV programs, movies and computer games offer many developmental and social benefits. In addition to these media, social networking sites can have social benefits for teenagers. 

It’s particularly helpful if you get involved with your child and her use of media – for example, you can visit quality websites together, encourage your child to use educational software, and view TV shows that offer extra learning opportunities. When you’re watching TV and movies together, try discussing the plot, how your child feels about what’s happening, and the real-life consequences of wrong and illegal actions.

How media can benefit children

For younger children, the developmental benefits of media include developing:

  • literacy skills – for example, learning letters of the alphabet through programs such as Play School and Sesame Street, or through educational computer games
  • numeracy skills – for example, learning to count through programs including Sesame Street and Play School
  • social skills – for example, learning cooperation by watching TV programs and using computer games and websites, such as ABC for Kids, that show cooperative and helping behaviour.

 For older children, there are:

  • intellectual benefits – for example, developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills by playing computer games, or developing morals by comparing family values with those found in fiction and documentary content
  • educational benefits – for example, encouraging reading, particularly after watching a program or movie based on a book
  • social benefits – for example, joining online clubs such as Club Penguin or SuperClubs Plus, which teach children strategies for effectively and safely using social networking sites, or playing computer games with friends and family
  • creative benefits – for example, developing skills in imagination, art and modelling, music and media, through using software to create a picture, or being inspired to make something by a TV show.

 Teenagers can develop their:

  • reading, writing and critical thinking skills through using blogs, chat rooms and becoming involved in message boards, such as on movie or news sites
  • social skills through connecting with others on social networking sites
  • political and social awareness by watching news, current affairs and documentaries
  • values through observing good role models in the media.
Children can be media creators, not just consumers. Making their own movies, taking photographs, and creating web pages and games can help them develop critical thinking, social, technical and artistic skills.

Deciding what's ‘good’

Deciding whether a TV program, movie, computer game or website is good quality can be tricky. You can be guided by the age classification, and you can use your own judgment of whether it’s high quality, challenging and well made. Other parents and your child’s teachers can also be a useful source of information about quality media that’s also good for kids.

Content that has a good story that doesn’t depend on violence or action for its entertainment value is always worth looking for. But content that includes violence or action mixed with drama and good narrative can be insightful and educational. For example, older children might benefit from watching a movie such as Schindler’s List.

TV programs and movies that give your child the chance to explore places, animals, people, ideas, issues and cultures he couldn’t see or connect with otherwise can inspire him to try new activities and engage in new ideas. This can be done through playing, creating something, or finding out more about a topic. 

Movies or TV programs with good role models can also positively influence your child.

Software and websites that get children drawing pictures or making up stories or rhymes can foster creativity. For preschoolers especially, this can also be a way for them to express ideas and feelings. Computer games that give young children simple choices – choosing a character or finding a background for a picture – can also help your child make creative decisions.

Interactive computer games and websites can help your child learn more effectively. 

Using avatars or games can give older children and teenagers the opportunity to develop their identity by enabling them to ‘try on’ different physical and psychological characteristics.

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Screen time is the time you spend on screen-based activities each day – TV, movies, DVDs, the internet, video games and even your mobile phone. The latest guidelines separate school-related screen time and recreational screen time. They recommend limiting recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day for children over five and young people. For your child’s development, it’s best to balance your child’s media use with creative play, sport and music. Read more in our article on screen time and children.
 
 
 
  • Last updated15-11-2010
  • Last reviewed15-11-2010
  • Acknowledgements

    Content developed in collaboration with Lee Burton, independent consultant.

References

  • Biron, D., Bittman, M., & Rutherford, L. (2010). Young children and the media: A discussion paper. Australian Research Alliance for Children and Young People (ARACY). Retrieved October 26, 2010, from http://www.aracy.org.au/index.cfm?pageName=children_and_media.

    Buckingham, D. (2009). The media literacy of children and young people: A review of the research literature on behalf of com UK. Retrieved October 26, 2010, from http://eprints.ioe.ac.uk/145/.

    Buckingham, D. (2007). Beyond technology: Children's learning in the age of digital media (translated into Spanish). Cambridge: Polity Press.

    Buckingham, D. (2003). Media education: Literacy, learning and contemporary culture. Cambridge: Polity Press.

    Cupitt, M. (2008). Media and communications in Australian families. Melbourne: Australian Media and Communications Authority.

    Ito, M., Horst, H., Bittani, M., Boyd, D., Herr-Stephenson, B., Lange, P.G., Pascoe, C.J., & Robinson, L. (2008). Living and learning with new media: Summary of findings from the Digital Youth Project. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning, Chicago USA. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from www.digitallearning.macfound.org.

    Lumby, C., & Fine, D. (2006). Why TV is good for kids: Raising 21st century kids. Sydney: Pan McMillan. 

    Royal Australasian College of Physicians: Paediatrics & Child Health Division (2004). Children and the media: Advocating for the future. Sydney: RACP.

    Thomas, L.  Do Video Games Affect the Health? Retrieved October 26, 2010, from http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Do-Video-Games-Affect-The-Health-/1692415