Full Description
Experiencing fear in front of the screen is a common phenomenon in childhood, and a focus of public concern. Yet, research has encountered ethical and methodological challenges and has focused largely on the effects of watching disturbing news. In this innovative book, this universal experience is investigated in depth via two complementary studies:
1) a retrospective study of experiences related by 626 undergraduate students from eight countries; and 2) a study of the current nightmares induced by watching television of 510 children in five countries.
The results presented in this book highlight the most common elements of fear in front of the screen more generally, followed by a focused analysis of the unique features of fear that characterize different developmental stages: pre-school, middle childhood, pre-teens and teenagers. The rich descriptions distinguish between the negative experiences of fear versus the positive experiences of thrill, and explores gender and cultural differences. Finally, the book offers implications for media producers and policy makers as well as for parents and educators.
Contents
Introduction
1.The Seven Elements of Fear
2.Impacts and Coping Strategies with the Fear
3.What Frightens Pre-schoolers
From Bambi to the Simpsons
4.What is Frightening in Middle Childhood?
From Jaws to news
5.What Frightens Pre-teens and Teenagers
From Chucky to Sixth Sense
6.The Eight Themes of Nightmares
7.Thrill: When Fear Becomes Fun
8.Gender Differences in Fear Experiences
9.Culture Differences in Fear Experiences
10.Conclusions and Implications for the Wellbeing of Children
References
Appendices:
A. Fear and Thrill Experiences from TV: Sample and Method of a Retrospective Study:
B. Children's Nightmares from TV: Sample and Method
Index: Programs Cited
