How do media affect the identity and self-image of six to eighteen-year-olds? The goal of this study is to determine whether the Internet and television have an influence on children and adolescents as a means of socialization.
"Today, socialization is no longer conceivable without media; it takes place under the sign of an active subject who deals with the media from an early age, uses them purposefully and makes use of them to shape his everyday life, to examine, expand, revise the value and norm structure of his social environment, his personality and life concepts." This statement exemplifies the (ever-increasing) role of media in socialization. Particularly noteworthy here is the Internet, which offers many opportunities for self-expression in addition to research and communication. In addition to the Internet, television is an important medium for humanity and thus also for this study.
Often the media use by children and young people is judged critically by scientists. For example, media would have a negative influence on development and are manipulative. However, socialization research hardly deals with the increasing importance of media. Dagmar Hoffmann sees the reason for this neglect in the fact that socialization research is of the opinion that there is no reciprocal relationship between people and the media and that media can therefore not be counted as a socialization instance.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Definitions of the terms "socialization" and "identity"
- 2.1 Socialization
- 2.2 Identity
- 3. Media use
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Figures, data and facts on the media use of children and adolescents based on the Shell, KIM and JIM study.
- 3.3 Type of media use by children and adolescents.
- 3.4 Functions of media
- 4. Influence of media on socialization and identity formation
- 4.1 Presentation of the selected media
- 4.1.1 Television
- 4.1.2 Internet / Smartphone
- 4.2 Current study results
- 4.3 Facebook as an example of social networks
- 4.4 Popularity of "pseudo-documentaries": "Familien im Brennpunkt" and "Berlin - Tag und Nacht" as an example
- 4.4.1 "Scripted Reality Series"
- 4.4.2 "Familien im Brennpunkt"
- 4.4.3 "Berlin - Tag und Nacht"
- 4.5 Television as a negative influence on self-image and trigger for eating disorders
- 4.5.1 The image of women in the media
- 4.5.2 Television as a trigger for eating disorders
- 4.6 Interim conclusion
- 5. Random sampling in an open children's and youth facility.
- 5.1 Survey
- 5.1.1 Questionnaire creation
- 5.1.2 Evaluation
- 5.1.3 Gender differences
- 5.1.4 Comparison of children and adolescents
- 5.2 Conclusion of the survey
- 5.3 Interviews
- 5.4 Conclusion of the interviews in connection with the survey
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to investigate the influence of the internet and television on the socialization, identity, and self-image of children and adolescents aged six to eighteen. The central question is how these media impact the identity and self-perception of this age group. A survey conducted in an open children's and youth facility, along with existing research, is used to explore this topic.
- The role of media as a socialization agent.
- The impact of media on identity formation.
- The influence of media on self-image and body image.
- Analysis of specific media types (television, internet, social media).
- Empirical findings from a survey conducted in a children's and youth facility.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the growing significance of media in the socialization process of children and adolescents. It highlights the increasing role of the internet and television, while acknowledging critical assessments of media's potential negative influence on development. The chapter sets the stage for exploring the thesis's central question: How do media affect the identity and self-image of 6-18-year-olds?
2. Definitions of the terms "socialization" and "identity": This chapter lays the groundwork by defining key terms. It explores the concept of socialization, differentiating it from education, and tracing its evolution from early 20th-century sociological thought. It examines the role of classic socialization agents (family, school, peers) and the emerging role of media as a powerful, and increasingly significant, new agent. The concept of "self-socialization" in the context of media use is also introduced.
3. Media use: This chapter delves into the prevalence and patterns of media use among children and adolescents. It leverages data from studies such as Shell, KIM, and JIM to present concrete figures and facts about media consumption. Different types of media usage are analyzed, along with the various functions media serve in the lives of young people.
4. Influence of media on socialization and identity formation: This chapter examines the impact of media on socialization and identity development. It presents an in-depth look at specific media, including television, the internet, and social media platforms like Facebook. The chapter analyzes current research findings and explores the impact of specific media formats, such as pseudo-documentaries and reality TV, on self-image and potentially even on the development of eating disorders. It specifically examines the portrayal of women in the media and its potential effects. The chapter concludes with an interim summary of findings.
5. Random sampling in an open children's and youth facility: This chapter details the methodology and findings of an empirical study conducted in a children's and youth facility. It outlines the survey design, questionnaire creation, and evaluation process. The chapter analyzes the data, looking for differences based on gender and age group. It integrates the survey results with findings from interviews conducted as part of the study.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Media socialization, identity formation, self-image, television, internet, social media, adolescents, children, socialization agents, empirical research, survey, qualitative methods, eating disorders, body image.
Frequently Asked Questions: Influence of Media on the Socialization and Identity of Children and Adolescents
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis investigates the influence of the internet and television on the socialization, identity, and self-image of children and adolescents aged six to eighteen. The central question is how these media impact the identity and self-perception of this age group.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
The key themes include the role of media as a socialization agent, the impact of media on identity formation, the influence of media on self-image and body image, analysis of specific media types (television, internet, social media), and empirical findings from a survey conducted in a children's and youth facility.
What methodology was used in this research?
The research employed a mixed-methods approach. It utilized existing research and data from studies like Shell, KIM, and JIM. Additionally, an empirical study was conducted involving a survey and interviews in an open children's and youth facility. The survey included questionnaire creation and evaluation, with analysis of gender and age differences.
What specific media are analyzed in the thesis?
The thesis focuses on the influence of television, the internet, and social media, particularly Facebook. It also examines the impact of "pseudo-documentaries" such as "Familien im Brennpunkt" and "Berlin - Tag und Nacht" as examples of scripted reality series.
What are the key findings regarding the influence of media on self-image?
The thesis explores the potential negative influence of television on self-image, particularly focusing on the portrayal of women in the media and the potential link between television viewing and the development of eating disorders.
How does the thesis define "socialization" and "identity"?
The thesis provides detailed definitions of "socialization" and "identity," differentiating socialization from education and exploring the roles of traditional socialization agents (family, school, peers) alongside the growing influence of media as a new socialization agent. The concept of "self-socialization" in relation to media use is also discussed.
What types of data are used to analyze media use among children and adolescents?
The thesis utilizes data from the Shell, KIM, and JIM studies to present figures and facts on media consumption by children and adolescents. It also analyzes different types of media usage and the functions that media serve in the lives of young people.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured into five chapters: an introduction, a chapter defining key terms, a chapter on media use, a chapter on the influence of media on socialization and identity formation, and a final chapter detailing the empirical study conducted in a children's and youth facility.
What are the key words associated with this thesis?
Key words include: Media socialization, identity formation, self-image, television, internet, social media, adolescents, children, socialization agents, empirical research, survey, qualitative methods, eating disorders, body image.
- Quote paper
- Laura Römer (Author), 2016, Socialization of children and adolescents through media. Influence on identity and self-image, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1184351
