Download the concept note: 
http://www.crin.org/docs/MediaTrends2013conceptnote-4-1.doc.pdf
Without a doubt media shape societal beliefs, behaviours and attitudes. Our personal mindsets, how we view the world, our understanding of how it works and the assumptions that we make about power, success and happiness (to name a few), are highly influenced by what we listen to, watch and read. But what do we really know about the impact of media on society? More importantly, what do we know of the media’s influence on children and youth?
Media Trends 2013 aims to investigate the complex relations between media and children. As influential members of civil society the media can and should use every opportunity to promote children’s issues. Media makers can and should consider the possible consequences of their messages on children and youth. A systematic approach, examining potential influences of media content on these younger populations, would pave the way for more quality content and socially responsible media producers.
Questions for consideration and investigation:
While we have not limited the scope of this conference to a particular age group, we need to be clear on which group we are referring to in our papers, presentations and ultimately our conclusions.
We will investigate thre age groups: preschoolers (three-six years old), children (seven-12 years old) and adolescents (13-17 years old).
- How can we minimise the negative effects of media on youth, while maximising the positive effects?
- How has media changed in the way it relates to children? What are the changes in form, content and messages?
- What are the changing patterns in children’s exposure to the media?
- What is the impact of competition and global marketing on children’s media?
- What constitutes quality content? Can we come to an agreement on its criteria?
- What are the short and long term effects of messages on youth? Will effects be different if the content is different? Are violent and sexual messages affecting youth in ways that are different from the effects of quality content?
- Are media effects different in developing nations? If so, how?
- What type of media platform works best at promoting socially responsible messages and quality content? Internet? Television? Recordings? What structural and formulaic concepts work best for communicating and advocating change?
- How can we engage youth to participate in the construction of their media environments? Will this then automatically empower youth in those environments?
- How has the media “democratised” knowledge for children world wide? How has it affected the information divide?
- What is known about the media’s influence on a child’s development? To what extent is a child’s psychological, educational, moral, social and cultural development determined by the media?
Panel Possibilities:
- Education and Literacy - “Media and Educating Children: Learning Literacy Skills”
- Health - “Children’s Health and Media: Moderating Media Use”
- Child Exploitation - “Child Exploitation Exposed: Raising Awareness”
- Digital Agency - “Youth, Internet Use and Digital Activism”
- Ethics - “Media Ethics and Children: Facing the Facts”
- Digital Safeguards and Risks - “Protecting Children in the Digital Age: A New Parental Role”
Workshop Ideas:
“Protecting Yourself on the Internet”
This workshop will investigate how to protect your privacy online, how to moderate internet use, how to know when a friend isn’t really a friend and other related techniques for effective online communication.
“Media Analysis and Your Children”
This workshop will give parents some tools so that they can effectively analyse media content. We will view some media content and then use the tools to find the meaning. We will then discuss how to watch TV with your child.
“Becoming a Digital Agent”
This workshop will demonstrate how children can be empowered and become agents for change through online activity. Participants will learn how to start an online petition, how to establish humanitarian based NGOs and other charitable associations, how to set up a blog, how to respond to online content and other empowering activities.
“Children Too Can Create”
This workshop is geared toward children from five to 10 years old. Children will be given the tools to create their own media content. The children will decide what type of media content they prefer. They will brainstorm to determine what type of messages the media ought to be communicating to them. Based on discussion they will develop ideas for a new children’s programs.
“Student Journalism - Becoming a Watchdog”
This workshop will instruct the participants in the fundamentals of news writing and reporting. Participants will then report on an issue or event. This can be done by writing a news piece, scripting and recording a news report for radio, or scripting and then filming a piece for television or the internet.
“Social Media: Making It Work For You, Not Against You”
This workshop will instruct participants on how to use social media to sell themselves and their ideas on line. Participants will learn how to use Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and YouTube to maximize their selling potential.