What Is Media?
TWO forms of media that children interact with regularly.
Any two of: social media, TV/movies, video games, books, music, podcasts, streaming apps, etc.
Name ONE positive effect social media can have on children.
Staying connected with friends/family, creative expression, finding supportive communities, learning, awareness of social issues, etc.
Name ONE way video games can POSITIVELY affect a child's development.
Problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, teamwork/cooperation, creativity, persistence, social connection through multiplayer, language learning,
Name TWO ways movies/TV can POSITIVELY influence children's social development.
Teaching teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, empathy, cultural awareness, respect for diversity, friendship skills
Name TWO ways books support children's socialization.
Any two: experience situations they haven't lived, explore different cultures, learn lessons through stories, see themselves in characters, develop empathy, build vocabulary, learn values/morals, etc.
True or False: Media only has negative effects on children's development.
FALSE — media can have both positive and negative effects depending on content, amount, and context.
Name ONE negative effect social media can have on children.
Cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, social comparison, sleep disruption, exposure to misinformation, addiction, etc.
Name ONE way video games could NEGATIVELY affect children.
Increased aggression, sedentary behaviour, sleep disruption, social isolation, addiction, reduced academic performance, desensitization to violence
A child watches 'Inside Out' and gets better at naming and understanding their own emotions. Which PIES domain is this?
Emotional development — learning to identify, understand, and manage feelings.
How do books contribute to a child's IDENTITY development?
When children see characters who look like them or share their background, they develop a sense of belonging, self-worth, and understanding of their own identity.
What does 'socialization' mean in child development?
The process through which children learn norms, values, behaviours, and social skills from their surrounding environment.
The U.S. Surgeon General issued a major advisory in 2023. What was it about?
Social media and youth mental health — warning about the risks of social media use on adolescent mental health.
Which part of PIES is most directly improved when a child plays a cooperative multiplayer video game?
Social development — teamwork, communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
Name TWO potentially NEGATIVE effects movies or TV could have on young children.
Nightmares or fear from scary content, reinforcing gender stereotypes, unrealistic expectations, exposure to violence, anxiety, unhealthy body image, misinformation,
True or False: Reading a story about a character who overcomes bullying IS a form of socialization through media.
TRUE: the child is learning social norms, values, and how to handle relationships through the story, which is exactly what socialization is.
According to Bronfenbrenner's theory, what role does media play in a child's development?
Media is part of the child's broader environment and shapes how they understand relationships, social norms, and the world around them.
How can social media affect a child's EMOTIONAL development?
It can shape self-esteem through likes/validation, trigger anxiety or depression from comparison, or build positive support through online communities.
How does Bandura's Social Learning Theory apply to children playing video games?
Children observe and imitate the behaviours of game characters — if characters are violent or prosocial, children may model those same behaviours.
How do movies connect to Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory?
Movies are part of the child's broader environment/macrosystem and influence how they understand gender roles, relationships, social norms, and society.
What is the MAIN CONCLUSION on media and socialization?
Media is not simply 'good' or 'bad'. It is powerful. The solution isn't removing media, but raising critical, balanced, and thoughtful media consumers.
Name all four parts of the PIES framework AND give one example of how media affects each.
Physical (e.g., games lead to sedentary behaviour), Intellectual (e.g., documentaries teach new knowledge), Emotional (e.g., social media causes anxiety or joy), Social (e.g., movies model teamwork and friendships).
You are a parent. Name THREE specific steps you could take to make sure your child uses social media in a healthy way.
set screen time limits, use parental controls, have open conversations about online safety, follow their accounts, co-view content, establish phone-free zones, create a family media plan
A child plays a video game for 6 hours daily instead of playing outside or seeing friends. Name the TWO PIES areas most negatively impacted and explain why.
Physical (sedentary behaviour, lack of exercise, poor posture/eye strain)
Social (reduced face-to-face interaction, fewer real-world relationship skills, isolation)
Scenario: One child watches a sports movie and starts playing basketball. Another watches a cooking show and learns to cook healthy meals. What does this show about media's impact on development?
Media can motivate active behaviour (physical development) and teach new knowledge and skills (intellectual development) showing media's potential to positively influence development when content is appropriate.
FINAL QUESTION: Name one developmental theory from this seminar, explain it briefly, AND connect a specific type of media to it with an example.
Answer1: Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems - child's development shaped by environment including media; a child repeatedly watching aggressive characters may normalize aggression.
Answer 2 Bandura's Social Learning -children imitate what they observe; a child who watches kind, sharing characters may begin to share more themselves.