In order to gain a better insight into children and technology academic research has been undergone. There were many theorist, however, David Buckingham and Sherry Turkle have proved to be the most relevant.
David Buckingham has researched children and new technology and looks at the trend created by new technologies such as the internet and computer games. He looks at how times have changed and how possibly children live in a different world to their own parents due to their familiarity with the internet. Overall, Buckingham will help support the solution to the CBBC question and the results from the research.
Research About David Buckingham:
"Technology is also being used in more individualized ways" (Buckingham,2007,pg77)This quote is essential in understanding what children want out of the internet and relates to the results from the primary research that has been done. Many of the children in general discussion talked about how they like to make their own character and personalise the look of the character. The idea of having a unique character on a website that represents the person would not only solve the CBBC's rule of not being able to let the children upload personal pictures but it would engage the target demographic and guide them to a safe environment.
"On the one hand we have the child at risk...while, on the other hand, we have a view of the child as liberated" (Buckingham, 2007, pg 85)In Buckingham's view the child at risk is from a parent perspective which could be due to their lack of knowledge about the internet. However, this perspective is shared by the CBBC as they do their up most best to protect children from possible threats. Ultimately, the long log in process to the CBBC and the rules regarding not knowing who you interact with are all to keep children out of harm. Therefore, the quote from Buckingham is what the CBBC are trying to combine. They are trying to create a liberating website where children can enjoy a child friendly environment while remaining safe as websites such as Facebook do not necessarily keep children free from harm.
However this quote could be seen to be dismissive as it later refers to how parents are scared about the safety of their child on the internet due to their lack of knowledge about the internet. In today's technological society this is often not the case in the year of 2012 as opposed to how it may have been in 2007 when the book was published. Times have changed and it would be stereotypical to suggest that an older generation cannot use computers. The real issue is that parents worry about their child's safety on the internet as they have access to people and things they should not have access to and children are impressionable and vulnerable. Overall, this is highlighted the question posed by the CBBC and illustrated how important it is to create a safe environment.
Research About Sherry Turkle
"When you create an avatar in a game or virtual world, you play a "character", but you also express an aspect of yourself." (Turkle, 1996, Life On the Screen.)
Sherry Turkle's point gives stability to the point that was made at the community centre about having a personalised character. By letting the user choose their own character and add their favourite colour and style to it is allows for their personality to be injected into the website. This would also compliment the CBBC's future wish for the 'My CBBC' idea they have which main theme is to add personalisation. The video below is of Sherry Turkle going into more depth about her views.
Research About Margaret Weigel and Katie Heikkinen
" Psychologist and media consultant Mimi Baumgarten notes that these characteristics mean that preschool children are drawn to digital media that allow them to experience “opportunities for learning, mastery, and silly fun,”particularly through stories featuring “familiar and attractive characters” (2003, p. 3)"
Useful Links:
David Buckingham On-line Book, (Beyond Technology)
Sherry Turkle Guardian Article
Information on Children and the Internet
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