In an information era, media becomes a part of children's lives. Yet local survey on the pattern of influence from media to our children is scarcely found. Thus, HKCS launched a survey that had received 840 responses from the general public, of which 64 % were female, 36% were male, and 90% were children between primary 4 to primary 6. The results were released early this year.

One significant finding showed that the decision to choose what to watch and read was actually made by children instead of their parents. Another important fact showed that it was easy for children to gain access to newspapers, magazines or television dramas that were targeted for adults only.

Survey Results

The one to make the choice as to when and what to read or watch among various media products:-

The frequency of media usage and the ratings of favorite categories among children:-

TV Viewing

Computer Usage

Newspaper Reading

Analysis

There is much freedom given to children in our generation as to what to read or watch. Much of this tendency was due to the so-called "democratic" method in raising our children today. Children are encouraged and allowed to make their own decisions on a number of and perhaps too-many-too-soon issues. Sadly, it is not uncommon to see some parents giving little or no restriction to their children as to gaining access to the unsuitable media and mass media materials; these parents are either oblivious or being ignorant of the appropriate parental guidance given to their children.

Today, even children are drawn to television dramas that often reflect controversial or debatable values and standards. Undoubtedly, from watching such kind of dramas, there will be a certain degree of adverse effect on children while their value system were being developed. If parents were nonchalant in providing guidance to their youngsters, it will surly fall upon the media.

According to the survey, 40% of children do read newspapers. Although their favorite papers are found to be among the best selling newspapers in town; they are considered to be the three most offensive local newspapers (according to a youth survey in 2000). While the local news column was found to be one of their two favorite reading columns, it should be noted that the sensational reporting style as well as the bloody and violent photos commonly presented by those papers would likely impact their readers negatively let alone children. It is therefore, important for both parents and children to gain understanding about the media and its industry. By doing so, the parents will be able to initiate meaningful discussions with their children as to the trust-worthiness of certain media products, and to give proper advices and guidelines to their youngsters.

It is our conclusion that media literacy shall become one of the early childhood education curriculums. It would be best for parents and young children to learn together in family media education. We would also recommend a media literacy movement initiated by the government through setting up a special committee that will help support voluntary organizations to promote media literacy projects and activities. .