Children Getting Older Younger

In his chapter on “New Media Childhoods”, Buckingham states, “Indeed, it could be argued that the age at which childhood ends- at least as far as the media industries are concerned- seems to be steadily reducing. Children, it is argued, are ‘getting older younger’.”

Our media is chockfull of this concept of children “getting older younger.” Many of the social issues being addressed in children’s television shows often times may seem a bit too heavy and dense. Children’s educational program, Sesame Street, for example, deals with issues such as racism, embracing one’s inner beauty, our deteriorating environment, and so on. Considering the target audience for the program is between the ages of three and five, these topics may not be very age-appropriate.

In addition to the content and language being too complex for children, many of the images portrayed on the screen appeal to and are more appropriate for older populations. For example, based on viewer and parent feedback, Sesame Street recently decided not to air a video segment featuring Katy Perry, who was dressed in a revealing outfit. The video was targeted to preschoolers.