How has the topic impacted on consumption in your specific sector?
Based off of the information displayed from the 2014 Ofcom article, it shows the consumption pattern of children and television is beginning to shift. The figure 1 graph shows that since the previous report there has been no change in television consumption for children aged 5-15. The Ofcom 2016 article brings to light that children are less likely to have a television in their bedroom between the age of 12-15. This means that children’s access to television may also be declining. Luckily, the 2016 article, additionally shows children’s access to media devices at home. Although television is still the highest among the vast amount of media devices, my BARB statistics contradict the assumption completely. The statistics of BARB from 2014 – 2017 have shown a consistent decline across 3 of the major children’s broadcasting networks, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. From these results, it is likely to come to the conclusion that children are accessing television content perhaps elsewhere. This claim is supported by a statistic in the Childwise 2016 monitor report where they state that 73% of children now have access to the internet and are online. Furthermore, it hints at children having access to televisions, but are choosing not to use them. This statement is backed up by the figure 3 graph from the Ofcom 2016 article, which states that television access for children aged 5-15 years old is the highest physical device at 89% however, the usage is shown to of gone down to 85%.
On the contrary, Any Internet access for children aged 5-15 has increased to 94% and its use is exceeding that of television, at 87%. This conveys that consumption is changing because children have more access to media content on another platform. The steady decrease of television's in older children aged 12-15 year old's bedrooms shown in the Ofcom 2016 article, could be caused by the slow increase of any internet access, because now children are able to use the internet in their bedrooms they can use their phones to stream content that would be shown on television and more. Children being able to access the internet in their bedroom instantly changes their consumption patterns as they are more isolated and disconnected from face to face interaction. Bedroom consumption additionally means that there is no one to regulate or monitor their online activity. There are concerns highlighted by Digital awareness UK 69% of young people have been cyberbullied. Suggesting that the fact there are no regulations exposes children to more harm than if they were to watch television.
One of the Booming platforms for streaming hinted by the Ofcom article 2016 is YouTube. YouTube has become increasingly popular across all ages, particularly among older children, with 37% of 3-4 year olds and 87% of 12-15 year olds using the YouTube website or app. The content children like to watch on YouTube differs by age. Younger children aged 3-7 years old are most likely to watch Television programmes such as films, cartoons, mini-movies, animations or songs Parents have said that this is their child’s favourite type of YouTube content. However, older children's tastes differ, as they are more into Music videos, Vlogging and blogging channels and prank videos. Older children are suggested to prefer watching YouTube to watching Television on the Television set. This is proven when Ofcom asked whether they prefer watching YouTube or watching Television programmes on a Television set and 12-15 year olds are more likely to choose for YouTube. The reason for this is because with YouTube you are able to make specific searches whereas with television you watch whatever is being broadcasted. Additionally, there is the on-demand factor of YouTube, which allows people to watch content whenever they please. To conclude, children are starting to access television content online.
Band 3: 12/13
ReplyDelete(High Merit/Distinction)
The topic has been understood and interpreted, considering the validity of information in the article, with detailed references made to own research sources
- You have cross referenced your finding with the report here to cover their validity of the 2014 trends and conclusions
- To secure the D: address the impact on How they consume (eg alone, in private, interactively etc and how this demonstrates the change from childhood to adolescence)
Some connections made to media debates relevant to the topic of the article
To secure the M: These connections need to be consistent, discuss reason for preference Uses and Grats. Consider the appeal of USG and social media aspect of Youtube. What is appealing to them.
Full understanding of the significance of the outcomes of research
Effective and logical chains of reasoning
- To secure the D apply the theory and reasons for consumption and changes