Most of us can recall our favorite childhood books, our most beloved TV shows, and the movies that we would watch on repeat. They’ve all influenced us in some way or another, and most of us think back on childhood media with nostalgia. Much more than this, the entertainment that we consume at an impressionable age— through childhood and adolescence— has lasting impacts throughout our lives. Especially in the age of the internet, the media that children and adolescents consume is integral to their development.

One of the most commonly discussed faults of movies, television, and video games is the excessive amounts of violence. While many may roll eyes at this claim, the evidence behind it is concrete.

A research paper from Iowa State University stated that “violent media exposure causes increased aggressive thoughts [and] angry feelings”, while decreasing “prosocial behavior (eg. helping others),” specifically for adolescents.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, before the age of 18, the average American is exposed to “200,000 violent acts on television”.

At such an impressionable age, this amount of violence would no doubt have an impact on our generation. While age ratings exist, they are little more than guidelines nowadays, especially with so much available at the fingertips of any child or youth.

A newer, but just as steadily growing, concern is the prevalence of YouTube among the younger generations. Despite the existence of YouTube Kids, videos on the platform aren’t subject to the regulations of children’s television. While channels like PBS Kids on television are usually a safe bet for children, videos on YouTube are made at only the discretion of the creator. And despite the age limit that YouTube has (you must be 13 to use the service), In 2018, 81% of parents with children under the age of 12 said that they allowed their child to watch videos on the platform, with 34% stating that their children used the platform on a regular basis. Out of the videos that kids watch, not very many are truly educational.

One of the most popular channels for children under the age of five is “Ryan ToysReview”, in which the titular “Ryan”, who is 10 years old, typically unboxes, plays with, and shows off a toy. Of his videos, 94% are designed to promote a product. These videos rely on the viewer (intended to be a toddler) wanting to play with the toy, or deriving enjoyment from Ryan’s use of the toy. For one, this type of video would result in children enjoying the act of watching someone else open the toy rather than playing by themselves— an integral part of a childhood. In addition, videos like those featuring surprise eggs and other gimmicks bank in on the same form of “enjoyment”. The suspense factor manages to catch the attention of young children— just like the brightly colored nursery rhyme videos that are frequently viewed, the addictive qualities of which negate any educational purpose.

In short, the type of media that children and youths consume today have negative impacts on them as they grow up. In the age of the internet, regulations can be harder to enforce, and guidelines can be harder to be made to follow. Despite this, media for our younger generations should be more streamlined.

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