The effects of mass media on children in residential care

Abstract

In 1955 Hilda Himmelweit wrote "Television and the Child", noting that; There were few facts available about children's behaviour and reactions to viewing. Since then, nearly 2,500 English language citations about children and television have been compiled. Social scientists realized that television is providing important experiences for growing up children, Unfortunately, none of the citations spoke of television and its effects on children in care. Residential homes are set up for various reasons; some to protect and care, while others are set up to control. Very often these factors intertwine. The introduction of Mass Media into the residential homes came as a matter of course well after it was introduced into the parental setting. However, in 1990 none of these homes dream of existing without them.