Should there be regulations on the media that is consumed by children and adolescents?

Abstract

The paper looks into the various reasons why, in the wake of the permeating effects of digital media, there is an imminent need for regulations on the media that children and adolescents are exposed to. Studies indicate that with the rising global usage—especially in developing nations—clear correlations link social media exposure to increased risks of self-harm and body image issues and deteriorating social relationships. Whereas 59% of Latin Americans record their time on digital media daily, most of them lack key media literacy competencies. Since most of the people in Latin America have trust in harmful online content, this sets a worrying trend. It is in the light of the above-mentioned gaps that create pressure to idealize an unrealistic image and to disintegrate families. Even though there are positive effects of digital media, like the ability to access educational material and support systems, these negative effects outweigh the positive ones. It requires global efforts in promoting media literacy and schools' policy-making arrangements to protect young people from possible harms and to 'genus' healthier peer relationships. Historical precedents, such as the Children's Television Act in the U.S., lead back to the good example of proactive efforts on age-appropriate material. Ultimately, this study calls for the establishment of regional media patterns and promotes collaboration to establish a more secure digital environment for the next generation of children.