An Age of Innocence no more

One of the most contentious issues in the media sphere today is the concern of the inappropriate sexualisation of youth, regardless of the deliberate intention of the portray-er or in some cases the child themselves. An array of practitioners and average citizens such as parents of young children and teens face an inevitable chopping block when they use children as their muse or medium, albeit for art, advertising or personal consumption.

The question is, are we over-sexualising our children or are such art forms or everyday presentations too harshly critiqued? It cannot be denied that children are an essential marketing tool in a boisterous economy, accounting for billions in the modern market. As stated by Brian Young in David Marshall’s ‘Understanding Children as Consumers’ states “Advertising is pervasive in the culture of the twenty-first century and indeed it would be hard to identify a country on earth that doesn’t have some form of advertising,” but “do children understand advertising the same way as adults?” and if so is this a positive or negative? Undoubtedly younger children and teens are more greatly exposed to advertising than every before due to increase accessibility and frequency of media exposure. Yet if a child witnesses a photograph of a young girl in a provocative pose clothed seductively and plastered in makeup do they see this immoral and strangely disconcerting or simply as a playful afternoon rifling through mums’ things. Perhaps it is a case if adult vs.child interpretation, yet even so it cannot be denied such images circulating in social media and advertising have some influence upon how young girls believe they should dress and act. 

The case of French model and actress Thylane Blondeau, daughter of footballer Patrick Blondeau and Véronika Loubry, an actress and television presenter provoked anxiety in the media and public as the young socialite emerged at the sheer age of four modelling for prominent French designer Jean Paul Gaultier. However real controversy arose surrounding the young beauty when at the mere age of nine she ignited a moral panic concerning the over sexualisation of children predominately in advertising and the media as she appeared in the Vogue Paris supplement, Vogue Enfants, poised seductively in somewhat erotic clothing with a heavy face of makeup the socialite was branded “the new Kate Moss”, who too provoked discontent with similar scandalous advertisements. The shoot spiked condemnation from the prominent public figures such as labour MP Helen Goodman claiming the shoot to be ‘disgraceful and totally irresponsible’ by publishing the pictures, saying the editors of the magazine “should have known better.”

Blondeau’s mother, a poster figure for the twenty first century liberal woman spoke out against criticism at the time claiming her daughters’ photographs were progressive not overtly sexual or provocative in any sense. Yet it cannot be contended that the young girl is exhibited in a setting far beyond her years sporting overly mature and revealing, even sexy clothing while sporting an unnaturally erotically aggressive facial expression for such a young girl. All these factors contradict the natural instincts and appearance of an average nine-year-old girl and exemplify the anxieties raised by so many surrounding the prominent issue. 

While it can be argued the way in which children are perceived in advertisements remains in the eyes of the beholder it is explicit we are no longer living in an age of innocence as children are exposed to ever-increasingly sexualised content through advertising and other media platforms and while they may not truly understand such confronting images they are subject to inapt and inaccurate representations of childhood and exploitation through their presence in such advertisements.

– Yours, Cat. D 

ADAPT or DIE

To appreciate the immense influence of convergence media all most of us have to do is reflect on the role it plays in our everyday lives. The ever-expanding framework of media platforms are integral to how we function, form and uphold relationships, and expand our knowledge. Living in an increasingly digitalised age means the extent of information we have at our fingertips, literally, is immense as such advancements as the Apple iPhone enable immediate access to a mecca of resources and functions. 

Convergent media encourages individual expression with the hope of giving voice to opinions, or the intention of launching a career through extensive exposure while fandom  has endorsed engagement with abroad audiences through avenues such as the creation of fan sites or blogs. Giving way to personal sentiments and allowing audience expression of attitudes.

Yet despite obvious benefits converged devices have contributed greatly to cyber bullying and eating disorders. Over 80 percent of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it one of the most common mediums for cyber bullying and research is increasingly clear similar exposure exerted by media increases appearance dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Such concerns are a result of misuse and exploitation of media platforms not undertaken by the average informed person with positive inclination

Media convergence marks a crucial shift from traditional media forms to give way to a compilation of new media platforms through the merging of mass communication outlets. It can be argued the transition from legacy media to converged outlets is generational. Undoubtedly older generations are more reliant on traditional mass media forms though it can also be suggested that one’s choice of media platform is to an extent reflection of their upbringing. From personal experience it is clear I am amongst minority of youths who listen to the radio and read the paper, prefer a phone call to a text and willingly sit down to watch the evening news with their parents. I see this as an advantage. In touch with converged media while frequently delving into the world of traditional mass media enables me to develop a broad spectrum of information through a unique multimedia experience.

Media convergence has paved the path for modern communication and is crucial in shaping and upholding society. Great benefits have arisen through expansion of culture and knowledge as such platforms act as the primary media outlets despite the pertinence of traditional mass media. Perhaps as we are plunged further into this mechanically driven, faced-paced world it is simply a case of adapt or die.