The Loss of Innocence: Media’s Effect on the Ideals of Childhood

The loss of innocence occurring via decensitising media content is a growing anxiety affecting children which are considered society’s most vulnerable and influenced group. Mass media platforms are expanding at an exponential rate. The creation of films, television shows, video games and social media websites have caused public anxiety about how these new media resources are effecting childhood and the idea of innocence.

Childhood has been assumed as a socially constructed ideology since early 17^th century perceptions surrounding childhood had dramatically altered past ideals. The notion of the ‘romantic childhood’ was born out of the industrial revolutions discard of child labour thus creating the modern perception of childhood as a period of dependence and innocence.

There is a growing concern that specific media outlets such as film, television, video games and social media depict an alarming amount of content considered inappropriate for children. This includes drug use, violence and sexually explicit material. Some measures are taken to ensure children are not exposed to inappropriate material such as content age ratings and parental locks on television and internet access. Despite these restrictions there is still an increasing amount of inappropriate material being accessed by minors. In a 2012 study by leading internet security company ‘Norton’, 19,000 parents were surveyed regarding their children’s online activity. It was discovered that 7% of poll takers were unsure what their children were viewing on their phones and computers. These findings support the public’s anxiety that children’s unrestricted media access allows them to access age inappropriate content thus altering the perceived ideas surrounding innocence in childhood.

This normalisation of explicit content in mainstream media has essentially decensitised children to adult and criminal behaviour, in turn promoting this loss of innocence. The notion of innocence is a key concept of the ‘romantic childhood’, which is seen by society as something to be protected. As media becomes more easily accessible to impressionable children, an increasing anxiety surrounding media usage is formed as mainstream media manipulates society’s initial perception of childhood.

It is possible that the traditional perceptions of childhood have been effected by society’s use of media. This anxiety is further explored in Martin Barker’s ‘Ill Effects: The Media Violence Debate’, discussing the effects of mass media on the constructed concept of childhood.

The public anxiety of the changing perceptions of childhood through uncensored media is a widely discussed topic. Additional readings relating to this issue will be posted below.

• Ill Effects: The Media Violence Debate View Book

• BBC News Article ‘Child Safety Measures to Protect Against Internet Threats’ View Article