Abstract

This article shows some results of a present study about the main childhood stereotypes in TV programmes (soap operas, sitcoms), news and advertising. The application of content analysis makes it possible to describe the portrayal of children built by mass media, such as the «good wild» myth as a metaphorical image, at the same time that it shows punishment for the social transgression of rules.

Abstract

This paper emphasizes the influence of TV programmes for children on their ethical values, taking some programmes of the Spanish television (TVE) as examples. Their contents usually fit values praised by the society and human rights. On the other hand, other programmes aimed at a different audience (such as series or advertisements) but also watched by children, don´t respect those principles and they even contradict them.