Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify which values and emotions are transmitted in the favorite fictional TV programs of children aged between 8 and 12, according to their particular type of structure. Based on the analysis of media consumption reported by participants and their parents, as well as the ratings of children's fictional programs, two fictional programs were selected for this age group (Doraemon and Code Lyoko, with a narrative and non-narrative structure, respectively), and a content analysis of 86 episodes was conducted and validated by inter-rater agreement. The results show that a wide range of ethical and competence-based values are conveyed by both programs, although greater emphasis is placed on life-skill values, with aesthetic and transcendental values hardly being represented at all. While more complex emotions and some basic emotions (surprise, anger, happiness and fear) were found to be present in Code Lyoko, sadness was present to a greater extent in Doraemon. The results reveal that the level of empathy represented by the characters in both series is low, although it is slightly higher in Code Lyoko. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that it provides a useful method for measuring the appropriateness of media content in relation to the psychological characteristics of children, and contributes to establishing a solid basis for media literacy programs from early childhood.

Abstract

This study analyses and discusses the opinions of children contained in the texts and drawings that were forwarded to us regarding what they think about what they learn by watching television. Starting from this material, we formulated certain hypothesis regarding the relationship these children established with the television, and the way they deal with the issues that are more common in the actual debates about television in the current days: violence, TV news, soap operas, cartoons, adult entertainment, among others.

Abstract

The cartoons are an easy way to transmit educational and cultural values to children, as well as other media (comics, computer games, videogames, etc.). The actual reality and evolution of cartoons from the last thirty years is assessed. In this context, are they as useful as we expect to be good transmitters of our values? Are they autochthonous to show cultural differences? The massive invasion of American and Japanese cartoons could affect our own values?. In order to answer these questions, a short research based on the current programme schedule of the Autonomic Catalan television was performed.

Abstract

In this article we present a descriptive study of the soundtrack of children’s television programmes on the Andalusian public television network. This study is part of an international research project based on Latin America which seeks to address the need to understand the sonic context in which children live and study the way in which this shapes their sonic imagination. The use of music on television may be a response to commercial needs and, therefore, it is necessary to understand its influence in an educational context. Through analysis of the permanent sections, advertising and the cartoons included in the TV programme called «The Band» which is broadcast on the Andalusian public television network we can observe the televisual and sonic environment of Andalusian children. We use a descriptive methodology which, through the creation of a listening worksheet, highlights the most significant elements in the sample. After the analysis, we concluded that the predominant musical elements in the programme analyzed were from techno-pop and cinema soundtracks and this produced certain homogeneity in musical terms which in turn led to an impoverishment of listening habits which made it difficult to understand more complex musical elements. Therefore, we stress the need for schools to accept their responsibility in the task of educating children in critical listening skills.

Abstract

This paper analyses the type of cartoons programmed by generalist channels in Spain . It is an original study based on a method that encompasses four fundamental aspects: identification of the animation, technique, quality levels and characters. Applied to the cartoons broadcast at Christmas and New Year 2004-2005, we discovered that what the child audience had seen was far from ideal for their educational level and as far as respect for values such as solidarity, peace, multiculturalism and European culture are concerned. We conclude with the need to improve the quality of cartoons in an objective manner by means of specific measures.