MEDIA AND YOUR KIDS PRESENTATION Clinton School for Writers and Artists Wednesday, January 28th Clinton School for Writers and Artists Wednesday, January 28th

National Association for Media Literacy Education The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is a professional association for educators, academics, activists, and students with a passion for understanding how the media we use and create affect our lives and the lives of others in our communities and in the world. The NAMLE vision is to help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens in today’s world.

What is Media? The means of communication, as radio and television, internet, newspapers, and magazines that reach or influence people widely.

What is Media Literacy? The ability to ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, CREATE and COMMUNICATE information.

Why is Media Literacy important? Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny. ― Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi Where do we get our beliefs? What are the messages we are getting? Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny. ― Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi Where do we get our beliefs? What are the messages we are getting?

The media have become the mainstream culture in children’s lives. Parents have become the alternative. Americans once expected parents to raise their children in accordance with the dominant cultural messages. Today they are expected to raise their children in opposition to it. - Ellen Goodman The media have become the mainstream culture in children’s lives. Parents have become the alternative. Americans once expected parents to raise their children in accordance with the dominant cultural messages. Today they are expected to raise their children in opposition to it. - Ellen Goodman

The average American child age 8 or older spends more than seven hours a day with screen media. (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010)

Parents today are the last people in history to know life with and without the Internet.

MEDIA SATURATION OPPORTUNITY POSSIBILITY RISK OPPORTUNITY POSSIBILITY RISK

ARE WE THAT OLD? REMEMBER WHEN SEEMED CUTTING EDGE?

FACEBOOK TWITTER EMOTICONS INSTAGRAM YIKYAK SNAPCHAT HANDLE POST HASHTAG TEXT LOL ASK FM POS LMFAO DISCUSSION BOARDS BRB WIKIPEDIA APPS JK BLOGS INSTANT MESSAGE IPADS SMART PHONES

Cyberbullying Addiction Privacy Predators Sexting Plagiarism Ruined Reputations Losing Control

MAIN MEDIA CHALLENGES FOR PARENTS ( adapted from commonsensemedia.org) Media is personal, private and portable – We have no control! – Everything happens so fast! Children’s exposure to inappropriate content – Violence – Adult behavior; sex, smoking, drinking – Body image/consumerism How to teach your child online ethics – Social media consequences – Credibility of information – Safety Concerns

PARENTS MUST BE FULL TIME FIRE-FIGHTERS - Gloria DeGaetano

What the drive-in was to teens in the 1950s and the mall in the 1980s, Facebook, texting, Twitter, instant messaging, and other social media are to teens now. *danah boyd What the drive-in was to teens in the 1950s and the mall in the 1980s, Facebook, texting, Twitter, instant messaging, and other social media are to teens now. *danah boyd

The difference from when we were growing up… Persistence Visibility Spreadability Searchability *danah boyd

IN DEFENSE OF TEENAGERS Elizabeth Gilbert Today's American teenagers are the most sensitive, least violent, least bullying, least racist, least homophobic, most globally-minded, most compassionate, most environmentally- conscious, least dogmatic, and overall kindest group of young people this country has ever known.

Adolescents/ Teenagers Today and Always Finding their identity Want privacy and separation Brain is developing Risk takers, boundary pushers Less freedom to wander More scheduled More parental involvement Academic pressure

Why do adolescents and teens love social media so much? Social lives, friends Public places are off limits, inaccessible to teens They seek youth centric community

THE MYTH OF THE DIGITAL NATIVE DO OUR KIDS REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING? Kids are often technical savvy but that does not mean they are media literate.

THE MYTH OF THE DIGITAL NATIVE DO OUR KIDS REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING? Kids don’t always pay attention to their digital footprint. Kids don’t understand that what they put online can remain online for a long, long time. Kids don’t realize that once something is posted on the Internet it can come back to haunt them. Kids don’t realize that what they post sets their reputation.

The 5 E’s Explain Engage Empathize Educate Empower

Explain Outline your expectations Discuss the technology Overview the etiquette Talk about technology before you purchase it Set guidelines and rules before usage Be proactive not reactive

Engage Get to know the social media apps Talk about the media they use Discuss movies, TV programs, You Tube videos Make sure your conversations aren’t only about what they shouldn’t be doing Tell them about the media you like Ask questions

Empathize Kids are growing up in a public space. We made mistakes in private. Kids today don’t have that luxury. Consequences are far greater.

Educate Prepare vs protect Teach vs tell Explore the subject Learn how to have media literacy conversations in the home

Empower Encourage their media creation Tell them about new apps, new sites Sign them up for classes Teach them new skills Trust them

Helping young people navigate public life safely should be of significant public concern. But it’s critical to recognize that technology does not create these problems, even if it makes them more visible and even if news media relishes using technology as a hook to tell salacious stories about youth. *danah boyd Helping young people navigate public life safely should be of significant public concern. But it’s critical to recognize that technology does not create these problems, even if it makes them more visible and even if news media relishes using technology as a hook to tell salacious stories about youth. *danah boyd

REMEMBER TECHNOLOGY WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE. GOALS OF PARENTING STAY THE SAME.

Michelle Ciulla Lipkin Executive Director Michelle Ciulla Lipkin Executive Director