James Dabbagian Erin McAlear California State University Long Beach

Technology has forever changed how families interact; it is important to recognize the negative outcomes of technology use in the home as well as alternative strategies that can be used to mediate these aversive effects in the future.

Technology has forever changed how families interact; it is important to recognize the negative outcomes of technology use in the home as well as alternative strategies that can be used to mediate these aversive effects in the future.

To educate the audience about how people define “family” and how this can have a negative impact on peoples’ lives. Inform participants about the negative effects of technology on family. Explain strategies that will potentially solve these issues.

To educate the audience about how people define “family” and how this can have a negative impact on peoples’ lives.

Inform participants about the negative effects of technology on family.

Explain strategies that will potentially solve these issues.

Definition of a Family Mediation with media Internet Television Video Games

Definition of a Family

Mediation with media

Internet

Television

Video Games

Each family should come up with their own definition of “family.” You will have two minutes to do so.

Each family should come up with their own definition of “family.” You will have two minutes

to do so.

A family is a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. An unrelated subfamily may include people such as guests, partners, roommates, or resident employees and their spouses and/or children (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008).

A family is a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family.

An unrelated subfamily may include people such as guests, partners, roommates, or resident employees and their spouses and/or children

Adult children’s perceptions of current and former stepparents. Adult children are more likely to view both current and former stepparents as family as opposed to parent. Several factors regulate adult perceptions Marriage vs. Cohabitation Current Stepparent vs. Former Stepparent Co-residence with the stepparent Child’s age when relationship began (for perceptions of “parent,” not “family”) (Schmeeckle, Giarrusso, Feng, & Bengton, 2006)

Adult children’s perceptions of current and former stepparents.

Adult children are more likely to view both current and former stepparents as family as opposed to parent.

Several factors regulate adult perceptions

Marriage vs. Cohabitation

Current Stepparent vs. Former Stepparent

Co-residence with the stepparent

Child’s age when relationship began (for perceptions of “parent,” not “family”)

“ Researchers should not make assumptions about who is considered family or a parent because they may be incongruent with the perceptions of respondents” (p. 605). “ Active and meaningful family relationships do not require a biological or legal connection; a big component of functional family relationships comes from social interaction” (p. 607). (Schmeeckle et al., 2006)

“ Researchers should not make assumptions about who is considered family or a parent because they may be incongruent with the perceptions of respondents” (p. 605).

“ Active and meaningful family relationships do not require a biological or legal connection; a big component of functional family relationships comes from social interaction” (p. 607).

The purpose is to show how traditional and socially constructed definitions of family compliment, compete, or coexist with each other. Family is defined through communication Results indicated that over two-thirds of the sample would want some type of relationship with both children. (Holtzman, 2008)

The purpose is to show how traditional and socially constructed definitions of family compliment, compete, or coexist with each other.

Family is defined through communication

Results indicated that over two-thirds of the sample would want some type of relationship with both children.

Traditional and socially constructed definitions of family coexist, rather than complement of compete with one another. Conceptualizations of family are changing, but not at the complete expense of traditional definitions. (Holtzman, 2008)

Traditional and socially constructed definitions of family coexist, rather than complement of compete with one another.

Conceptualizations of family are changing, but not at the complete expense of traditional definitions.

Every family is different Abnormalcy is Normal

Every family is different

Abnormalcy is Normal

Mediation and the Internet

Mediation and the Internet

While television media remains dominant, newer media such as the internet are taking form. (Nikken & Jansz, 2006)

While television media remains dominant, newer media such as the internet are taking form.

Visits to inappropriate sites Unwanted contact with others may occur Inability to distinguish difference between reality and fantasy “ How children interpret acts seen or heard through media help form or justify real world decisions and actions within social standards” (p. 490). (Eastin, Greenburg, & Hofschire, 2006)

Visits to inappropriate sites

Unwanted contact with others may occur

Inability to distinguish difference between reality and fantasy

“ How children interpret acts seen or heard through media help form or justify real world decisions and actions within social standards” (p. 490).

Parents that were more authoritarian tended to use evaluative and restrictive techniques more than parents with other styles Parents with teenagers who have a computer with internet in their room spend more time online than teens without a computer. Offered Three suggestions Use restrictive mediation Use an electronic time tracker Create better viewing skills (Eastin et al., 2006)

Parents that were more authoritarian tended to use evaluative and restrictive techniques more than parents with other styles

Parents with teenagers who have a computer with internet in their room spend more time online than teens without a computer.

Offered Three suggestions

Use restrictive mediation

Use an electronic time tracker

Create better viewing skills

Our step-family’s children are addicted to the internet: Online games, chatting, etc. Parents: Your task is to effectively mediate it. Again, there is no right answer: You are here to be coached.

Our step-family’s children are addicted to the internet: Online games, chatting, etc. Parents: Your task is to effectively mediate it.

Again, there is no right answer: You are here to be coached.

Family and Television

Family

and Television

Traditional Nuclear Family Father Knows Best The Cosby Show

Traditional Nuclear Family

Malcolm in the middle Roseanne

Reba The Brady Bunch

Friends Will & Grace

Who controls it? Predominantly the male of the household How does it impact family interaction? Male dominance Female Control Constant remote use tends to benefit the individual at the expense of the group. (Walker & Bellamy, 2001)

Who controls it?

Predominantly the male of the household

How does it impact family interaction?

Male dominance

Female Control

Constant remote use tends to benefit the individual at the expense of the group.

Parental Power How two types of parental mediation influence undesired advertising effects Advertising Mediation (Two Strategies) “ Active mediation includes making deliberate comments and judgments about television commercials and actively explaining the nature and selling intent of advertising” (p. 154). “ Restrictive mediation involves sheltering children from advertising by reducing their exposure to it” (p. 154). (Buijzen & Valkenburg, 2005)

Parental Power

How two types of parental mediation influence undesired advertising effects

Advertising Mediation (Two Strategies)

“ Active mediation includes making deliberate comments and judgments about television commercials and actively explaining the nature and selling intent of advertising” (p. 154).

“ Restrictive mediation involves sheltering children from advertising by reducing their exposure to it” (p. 154).

Concept-Orientation Involves negotiation and the development of individual ideas and opinions. Generates a better understanding of advertising and less materialistic values. Social Orientation Emphasizes obedience and harmony. When used, adolescents have been found to be more susceptible to the influences of advertising. (Buijzen & Valkenburg, 2005)

Concept-Orientation

Involves negotiation and the development of individual ideas and opinions.

Generates a better understanding of advertising and less materialistic values.

Social Orientation

Emphasizes obedience and harmony.

When used, adolescents have been found to be more susceptible to the influences of advertising.

Active mediation is more effective than restrictive mediation. Concept-oriented communication is more effective than socio-oriented communication. Negative advertising effects can be reduced when parents communicate with their child about the adverse effects of advertising, rather than protecting them from it. (Buijzen & Valkenburg, 2005)

Active mediation is more effective than restrictive mediation.

Concept-oriented communication is more effective than socio-oriented communication.

Negative advertising effects can be reduced when parents communicate with their child about the adverse effects of advertising, rather than protecting them from it.

Family and Videogames

Family

and

Videogames

Videogames, like TV, are part of media The main difference, however, is that games are more interactive. Several types of games Action Sports Puzzle RPG MMORPG Parents who do not play games might find it difficult to understand what is so big about it. (Nikken & Jansz, 2006)

Videogames, like TV, are part of media

The main difference, however, is that games are more interactive.

Several types of games

Action

Sports

Puzzle

RPG

MMORPG

Parents who do not play games might find it difficult to understand what is so big about it.

Restrictive mediation – Used to keep children from playing games Active/evaluative mediation – Discussing the various video games Co-Playing – Playing the game alongside the child

Restrictive mediation – Used to keep children from playing games

Active/evaluative mediation – Discussing the various video games

Co-Playing – Playing the game alongside the child

These three techniques were not only present in the parents’ responses, but that the child perceived that each technique was being used. Younger children were more subjected to mediation than older children. Mothers tended to use mediation more than fathers. (Nikken & Jansz, 2006)

These three techniques were not only present in the parents’ responses, but that the child perceived that each technique was being used.

Younger children were more subjected to mediation than older children.

Mothers tended to use mediation more than fathers.

Parents should consider playing the actual game with the child, so that they may understand the child’s side Remember that children still do not quite understand the difference between fantasy and reality, so stress this point.

Parents should consider playing the actual game with the child, so that they may understand the child’s side

Remember that children still do not quite understand the difference between fantasy and reality, so stress this point.

Our lesbian couple’s daughter is totally hooked on the latest craze, Guitar Hero III. Your task is to help bring the craze into control. You may use any technique we covered over the presentation.

Our lesbian couple’s daughter is totally hooked on the latest craze, Guitar Hero III. Your task is to help bring the craze into control. You may use any technique we covered over the presentation.

Today we have talked about family structure and how the use of technology in the home can be a source of conflict within the family. The normalcy of abnormality. Understanding what mediation style to use is a key to helping children learn how to interact with television, internet and videogames.

Today we have talked about family structure and how the use of technology in the home can be a source of conflict within the family.

The normalcy of abnormality.

Understanding what mediation style to use is a key to helping children learn how to interact with television, internet and videogames.

Technology has forever changed how families interact; it is important to recognize the negative outcomes of technology use in the home as well as alternative strategies that can be used to mediate these aversive effects in the future.

Technology has forever changed how families interact; it is important to recognize the negative outcomes of technology use in the home as well as alternative strategies that can be used to mediate these aversive effects in the future.

Buijzen, M., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2005). Parental mediation of undesired advertising effects. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 49 (2), 153-165. Eastin, M., Greenberg, B., & Hofschire, L. (2006). Parenting the internet. Journal of Communication, 56 , 486-504. Holtzman, M. (2008). Defining family: Young adults’ perceptions of the parent-child bond. Journal of Family Communication, 8 , 167-185. Nikken, P., & Jansz, J. (2006). Parental mediation of children’s videogame playing: A comparison of the reports by parents and children. Learning, Media, and Technology, 31 (2), 181-202. Schmeeckle, M., Giarrusso, R., Feng, D., & Bengtson, V. (2006). What makes someone family? Adult children’s perceptions of current and former stepparents. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68 , 595-610. U.S. Census Bureau. Current population survey (CPS): Definitions and explanations. Retrieved October 25, 2008, from http:// www.census.gov/population/www/cps/cpsdef.html. Youtube.com. 15 short ads mac verses pc . Retrieved October 27, 2008, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgzbhEc6VVo .

Buijzen, M., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2005). Parental mediation of undesired advertising effects. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 49 (2), 153-165.

Eastin, M., Greenberg, B., & Hofschire, L. (2006). Parenting the internet. Journal of Communication, 56 , 486-504.

Holtzman, M. (2008). Defining family: Young adults’ perceptions of the parent-child bond. Journal of Family Communication, 8 , 167-185.

Nikken, P., & Jansz, J. (2006). Parental mediation of children’s videogame playing: A comparison of the reports by parents and children. Learning, Media, and Technology, 31 (2), 181-202.

Schmeeckle, M., Giarrusso, R., Feng, D., & Bengtson, V. (2006). What makes someone family? Adult children’s perceptions of current and former stepparents. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68 , 595-610.

U.S. Census Bureau. Current population survey (CPS): Definitions and explanations. Retrieved October 25, 2008, from http:// www.census.gov/population/www/cps/cpsdef.html.

Youtube.com. 15 short ads mac verses pc . Retrieved October 27, 2008, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgzbhEc6VVo .