I think this image shows the essence of this new childhood model. It shows the transition from the romantic child, to the child in the digital era. The romantic child is the baby himself, so young and innocent, a blank slate, shielded from the trials and tribulations that the world has in store. While the tablet on the ground represents the "gateway" into this new model, or era, by filling this "blank slate" with various knowledge whether it be valuable, educational knowledge, or simply the non-stimulating, non-engaging form of media and technology. This also demonstrates how young some children are when they are first exposed to some sort of digital device.
Imaged retrieved from: Wicker, Michelle. "Surfing the net." Photograph. Mighty Kids Media. 27 Sept. 2013
Imaged retrieved from: Wicker, Michelle. "Surfing the net." Photograph. Mighty Kids Media. 27 Sept. 2013
I believe this image represents the struggle that a child of this model must face, a balance between maintaing a sense of innocence and childhood, and growing up quickly by exposure of technology and the conforming ideas that the media displays.These ideas can affect how a child grows socially and developmentally. Just in the past five years alone the amount of children owning cellphones has increased by 68%, and there is no end in sight (V, John, 1). The little boy in this picture is weighing his options, in his lefthand is a cellphone, combined with his glasses and outfit he has the choice to conform to society and fall into the world of digital media, and being depicted as older than one is. Then again does he choose his right hand? In his right hand is a toy car, the image we have been trained to picture little boys playing with, symbolic of a young child, in a state of innocence.
V, John. No surprise, More Children Owning Cellphones. PhoneArena.com. 06 Jan, 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.
Image retrieved from: Ana. "The Children and Technology debate." Photograph. Blue Bird Kisses. 2013. 26 Sept. 2013
V, John. No surprise, More Children Owning Cellphones. PhoneArena.com. 06 Jan, 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.
Image retrieved from: Ana. "The Children and Technology debate." Photograph. Blue Bird Kisses. 2013. 26 Sept. 2013
This cartoon depicts the idea that many of us still want to hold on to the idea of the childhood model of the romantic child, and their association with nature. This is shown by the mother insisting that the child go outside and play, but the child has been conformed into the age of digital media. He has replaced association and love for nature, to love of technology and media. This is what children are now exposed to on a daily basis, as everyone is seeking the bigger, best next device. We often become so involved in our "digital world" that we become disconnected to what is happening in the real world.
Image retrieved from: Flambert, Marvin. "Technology Addiction." Comic. Word Press. 10 Dec. 2011. 25 Sept. 2013.
Image retrieved from: Flambert, Marvin. "Technology Addiction." Comic. Word Press. 10 Dec. 2011. 25 Sept. 2013.