Uticaj medija na decu iz perspektive nacionalne dečje linije

Abstract

Information technologies at the threshold of the third decade of the 21st century represent a significant factor in the psychosocial development of children and youth. The content presented by the media (using contemporary audio-visual effects) ranges from informative, through educational, entertainment, to sensational and shocking. Media content draws attention and leaves a strong impression on children, and often, provokes reactions of agitation. Children are trying to find ways to overcome this anxiety using a variety of strategies, and one of them is the need to talk about it. On the national child's line, a modern telephone and counseling support service for children and young people, there is a tendency for an increased number of calls from children that are presumed to be related to certain media events. This paper will present findings of research on the impact of disturbing media content on children as well as observations by children's counselors on calls related to sensationalist media content. The findings will be interpreted in relation to children's reactions and strategies for overcoming feelings of distress with calls during discussions with telephone counselors on the child's line.