Technology plays a large role in social skills. Children that are constantly exposed to media often mimic what they are watching on television. For example, I have a nephew who has, for a time, been obsessed with the Power Rangers. Through their example he's learned how to get along with other children who watch Power Rangers. These kids get together and pretend to fight each other and against imaginary enemies. He is currently nine years old. I realize he has the capacity to know that physical contact play fighting is not appropriate. Although, in his lack of brain development the frontal lobe reasoning hasn't set in. I witnessed this as he was walking out of the Olive Garden one day, My nephew put his fists out like a Power Ranger and popped a random man in the chest while he was walking down the side walk. I was surprised by my nephews outburst but I realize he was just playing, being a kid, a Power Ranger. I think my sister was so embarrassed she didn't say anything to the man but just yelled at my nephew instead. I know my sister raised him to not be violent. My sister taught him well, but media and lack of reasoning had a stronger impact at that moment Look at the socializing of children and the media that creates the ideas that violence is okay on the streets. I suppose this goes into the last question...
My nephews learning was horizontal. Through social interaction and media observation he realized that being a Power Ranger was cool. This meant that he would take on the play aspect of karate. In his developing mind he doesn't quite understand the impact of punching a random stranger on the street. It wasn't too long ago while working at the Olive Garden when a child around his age randomly hit me while I was working. His mother didn't say anything to me. Now I have a better understanding of development. Perhaps this kid was socialized by more violent cartoons. Perhaps his mother was too embarrassed to say anything despite the fact that she saw it.
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