Media play a central role in the lives of youth. Recent reports show that children between 4-7 years of age spent on average 2,5 hours a day with media. Adolescents, with their prolific social media use, spent even more than 8 hours a day with media. In this course we will investigate how children develop as media consumers and how their cognitive, emotional and social development influences media use and media preferences. We will also examine the influence of media use on behavior. Questions such as “Do children become aggressive when they play violent videogames?”, “How does internet-porno influence adolescents views of sex?”, “Can children really learn from educational television and apps?” will be discussed. Finally, we will look at media in a broader context. We will investigate how parents and peers can influence media effects and preferences, and study cultural difference in media use and effects.
Assumed knowledge
It is assumed that participants of this third year Ba course possess the following academic skills:
- knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research designs (including basic statistical methods)
- ability to critically reflect on empirical research
- ability to find academic literature using search engines like Web of Science, PsycINFO or Google Scolar.
- ability to write an academic paper in accordance to the APA (American Psychological Association) rules of style in either English or Dutch
Introduction in psychology or pedagogical science is preferred but not mandatory.
|
 |
|
|
After successful completion of this course, you will have gained knowledge about and insights in:
• How the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children and adolescents predicts their media use and preferences.
• The most important views, theories, and empirical findings in the field of youth and media.
• The positive and negative influences of media use on the behavior of children and adolescents.
• The role of the social and cultural context of children in media effects and preferences.
In addition, you will be able to:
• Critically analyse and adequately use scientific literature on youth and the media when answering research, advisory, and policy questions.
• Apply this knowledge in writing an consultancy report on a youth and media related topic aimed at non-academic stakeholders.
|
|