PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Kids’ attention spans are short, so watching many quick clips on YouTube or TikTok can be an easy time fill, but advertisements that come along with them can be unsavory and the algorithm may introduce them to unwanted themes.
Sherri Hope Culver, author of “The Quality Question: Why Children’s Media Must Aim High,” a report recently published by Temple University’s Center for Media and Information Literacy, says that’s why it’s important to find things relevant to children’s lives.
“... That show characters that reflect who they are and the issues that are important to them, that show them the world around them and help them empathize with that world — understand that world a little bit more,” Culver said.
She notes not all shows can be “Sesame Street,” but the content they see should be fun and engaging and include characters and stories with a bit of grit and edge to hold their interest.
“They have interesting characters that are sometimes not doing the things they should do. They have friends who are learning to be nice to each other and sometimes aren't nice to each other. So all of those things really reflect kids’ lives, and I think that's at the core.”
She says content should also teach kids they have resilience and that there are good influences around them.
“Whether it's someone watching with you, or someone actually in the story, we want children to understand that there are caring adults in their lives. And so modeling that and showing how those adults are involved is something positive we can show,” Culver said.