Reducing Media Viewing: Implications for Behaviorists - Reaction Paper

This reaction paper discusses the article 'Reducing Media Viewing: Implications for Behaviorists' by Anna Mesina, Jennifer Danielewicz and Leonard A. Jason. The paper compares and contrasts the article with what was learnt in Module 3. The authors express concern for the welfare of children who have become victims of modern media platforms like TV and computers. They suggest that direct parental involvement and use of technological innovations like v-chip and behavioral therapy can bring a long-term solution to the problem of excessive use of media as well as the preventable illnesses and behaviors which arise from the use of such media platforms by the children.

Running head: REACTION PAPER 1
Reaction Paper
Name
Institution

REACTION PAPER 2
Reaction Paper
“Reducing Media Viewing: Implications for Behaviorists” is an article that was written
by Anna Mesina, Jennifer Danielewicz and Leonard A. Jason and published by the JEIBI in
2005. In this article, the writers sought to review the various behavioral technologies that can be
used by the parents to regulate the use of media by their children. The authors are worried about
the children because the use of media has affected them in negative ways. The ideas expressed in
this article resonate with what we had learnt in Module 3. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to
compare and contrast what we had already learnt and what is contained in this informative
article.
The authors have expressed concern because, as experts, their attention has been grabbed
by the way in which the young children have become obsessed with the modern media platforms
such as the Television (TV) and computer games. That obsession has made the children to prefer
to sit in-door watching their favorite TV programs and playing computer games because, to
them, it is what gives them pleasure and the happiness that they need in life. However, unknown
to these children, this kind of behavior has become disastrous because it has negatively impacted
on their behavioral and physical health. For example, the writers report that the behavior has
been responsible for the high prevalence of childhood obesity in the country and beyond. At the
same time, the writers say that this practice has negatively impacted on the behaviors of the
children and made them to be violent and aggressive. That is what prompted the writers to
suggest that it is a high time the parents resort to the use of modern behavioral technologies to
control media usage by their children.
As a matter of fact, the information contained in this article is similar to that in Module 3.
Each of them is concerned about the welfare of the children. In this article, the authors express

REACTION PAPER 3
their concern for the children, who, in their opinion, have become victims of modern media
platforms like the TV and computers. According to their research, children’s obsession with
these media has become an issue of concern because it has been responsible for the occurrence of
diseases like childhood obesity. This is similar to what the module taught because it also sought
to address something of that sought. Both of them give suggestions on how the health of the
children can be improved since they emphasize that the problem can still be solved no matter
how challenging it might be.
In conclusion, the information in the article and the module are relevant to the children.
Just like in the module, the writers have demonstrated their concern for the welfare of the
younger generations whose future and health is under a threat of the media. That s why in the
article, the authors suggest that the direct parental involvement and use of technological
innovations like v-chip and behavioral therapy and bring a long-term solution to the problem of
excessive use of media as well as the preventable illnesses and behaviors which arise from the
use of such media platforms by the children.