Emergent practices in young people's digital media usage can drive technological innovation while also creating unexpected learning experiences and social interactions. The book explores how these developments influence both individual growth and broader societal changes, highlighting the dual nature of technology as a catalyst for creativity and a source of unforeseen challenges.
The book explores the intricate and often contradictory relationship society has with television, delving into cultural taboos surrounding its discussion in educational settings like Montessori schools. It examines personal experiences, such as a mother's guilt over watching Star Trek in front of her young child, and the unexpected appeal of daytime soap operas for retired men. By challenging common clichés about television, the author reveals deeper insights into how it shapes our lives and influences our values.
Based on four years of experience teaching computers to 8-12 year olds, media scholar Ellen Seiter offers parents and educators practical advice on what children need to know about the Internet and when they need to know it. The Internet Playground argues that, contrary to the promises of technology boosters, teaching with computers is very difficult. Seiter points out that the Internet today resembles a mall more than it does a library. While children love to play online games, join fan communities, and use online chat and instant messaging, the Internet is also an appallingly aggressive marketer to children and, as this book passionately argues, an educational boondoggle.