Impacts of Media-Based Commodities on Children

Impacts of Media-Based Commodities on Children
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Over the years, the entertainment industry has been phenomenal in not only thrilling audiences but also in passing essential and vital messages in society. Individuals have continuously found ways of entertaining themselves individually or as a group. While some of the forms of entertainment are primarily for the adult population, there are other categories that transcend people of all age groups and are often passed from one generation to the next. One notable category includes movies, toys and experiences that are based on narratives and which are particularly inclined to adhere effectively and entice children and the young at heart in society. Narrative films are otherwise known as fictional films and are basically movies that center on imaginary events and people. The makers tend to develop and invent narratives using believable characters and events that influence people to consider the unfolding fiction as real. As such, these fictional materials often target children whose senses of judgment are not fully developed. Majority of the fictional films were initially books and have been read to children as bed time stories for many generations. Some notable examples include the Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Harry Porter, Lion King, Winnie the Pooh, and Peter Pan among others. These media-based commodities play crucial roles in the growth and development of children in society. They help to pass essential messages and themes such as the benefits of respecting their parents. They also assist in sharpening their reading and spelling abilities. Several organizations including the Disney Corporation have taken the mantle and are developing and marketing these media-based commodities to children in various ways. The research paper purports to examine how movies, toys and experiences based on narratives are marketed to children, the effects of these media-based commodities on the young generations and the role played by the Disney Corporation and similar organizations in the narrativizing of consumption.
Movies, Toys and Experiences based on Narratives targeting Children
Many people around the world have made it their culture to read bed time stories to their children. Majority of these stories are fictional but very entertaining and leave the children yearning for more. There are even instances where some children refuse to sleep before their favorite bed time stories are read to them. For many centuries, the culture of reading bed time stories has been passed down across generations. Statistics indicate that at least 3 in every 5 Americans can attest to having being read a bed time story when growing up (Heath, 1982). Although the number of parents particularly in America who read bed time stories to their children has waned over time because of lack of time and stress, there are still quite a number of people who have kept up with the tradition.
There are some narratives that have withstood the test of time and not only make sense and endear to the current generation but also make exciting reading materials for the elderly who are still young at heart. Some of these include Cinderella, Lion King, Wizard of Oz, Harry Porter, Spiderman, Superman, Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan among others. Despite being fictional narratives, the stories have been developed using believable characters and events that make them look real (Carrington, 2005). Take for instance the classical Cinderella Story that centers on a young beautiful girl who was brought by an evil step mother and her two daughters. Cinderella was subjected to perform all the house chores and live in deplorable conditions despite being a bona fide member of the family. She was also prohibited from enjoying the pleasures of life such as attending parties and events like her two step sisters. However, a visit from a fairy changed her life as she not only got the opportunity to step out looking her best and attend the party that was the talk of the town but also to catch the eye of the Prince and heir apparent. The details of the Cinderella story are breathtaking and very relatable by many children. Young ladies grow up wishing to be as beautiful as Cinderella albeit without the suffering. The other fictional stories shared above also share almost similar messages and themes that catch the attention of the young readers and stick in their minds for eternity. As such, these fictional stories help in the growth and development of children into respectable and responsible members in society.
Over the years and with developments in technology, most of these fictional stories have been converted into narrative films. Movie directors have been keen to ensure that the films harbor the same themes and messages as the stories using real-life characters or animated figures. For instance, Netflix reproduced the Cinderella story in 2015 and has captivated audiences particularly children worldwide. Unlike books, digital copies of the media-based commodities are not easily destroyed. They can also be shared between people in different parts of the continent with utmost ease. With digital fictional materials, children can come together and watch as a group and have an exciting and memorable experience (Carrington, 2005). Similarly, in light of the euphoria that often surrounds these fictional materials, some organizations have conveniently swooped in and created toys of characters in the stories and films. As such, children not only get the chance to read and watch their favorite fictional characters but also play with them. These initiatives characterized by digital films of the fictional narratives and toy characters promote positive childhood memories.
Ways in which Movies, Toys and Experiences based on Narratives are marketed to Children
As it has been shared in the previous section, movies and toys based on narratives are an all-time favorite of many children around the world. In this regard, several organizations have taken over the mantle for ensuring a constant production and supply of these media-based materials to children. Some of these organizations such as the Disney Corporation have mastered the art of understanding the changing needs and preferences of children in society and are developing materials in that regard (Gladkowski, 2020). However, over the years, the sector has faced increased competition which has forced organizations to improve their marketing initiatives.
To begin with, organizations have engaged the services of renowned and skilled actors and actresses to play the characters in the narrative films (Heath, 1982). These individuals often succeed in bringing their fictional characters to life and in so doing endear greatly to the target audience. Children are easily moved to watch particular fictional movies when they see their favorite actors and actresses as part of the cast (Kline, 1993). Secondly, organizations behind these media-based commodities also conduct promotional tours in schools and recreational centers. It is quite common to find these organizations in shopping malls and other complexes especially over the weekend and holidays. Thirdly, these companies involved in the production of media-based commodities also promote and market their new ideas and concepts on and in foods and beverages meant for children (Isbell et al., 2004). For instance, children have often found some small toys of their fictional characters in their cereal boxes.
Fourthly, these businesses have also embraced social media to tap the increasing number of children on the different platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Moreover, social media provides these establishments with the opportunity to market their media-based commodities to a large population with utmost ease and at minimum costs (Jenkins, 2011). The fifth way in which media-based commodities are marketed to children is through partnership between the producing companies and learning institutions. For example, Disney Corporation has partnered with several schools in the US and provides them with regular copies of new fictional films. The Disney Corporation also provides students with costumes of their favorite fictional characters during Halloween. Such initiatives from businesses like the Disney Corporation endear to children and influence them to keep tabs on upcoming materials.
Impacts of Media-based Commodities and their Associated Advertising on Children
The media-based commodities characterized by fictional films and toys impact children in several ways. Firstly, fictional films and bed time stories help to foster narrative skills in children (Jenkins, 2011). Young people learn early on about different elements of narration though appreciating the efforts put in by their parents and guardians using the bed time fictional stories. They grow up with the perspective that the world is a wonderful place despite challenges here and there. They assist children in becoming conversant on aspects such as tone variation when relaying narrations. Similarly, the commodities are vital in developing cognitive skills in the children. Studies have shown that kids tend to absorb information concerning language by listening to the stories read to them long before they start speaking. Therefore, the materials put children one step ahead when they start their education.
Secondly, these media-based commodities help to promote and enhance grammar skills in school age children (Isbell et al., 2004). Considering that some parents start reading for their children when they are as young as a year old, children grow up being grammatically sound. Research has shown that children who are exposed to media-based commodities have a smooth transition into the different learning facilities and centers that they are enrolled in (Marshall & Weber, 1983). According to Isbell et al., (2004), “A  HYPERLINK "/all-ages/1-articles/14-the-benefits-of-reading-to-your-child" \t "_blank" study at Rhode Island Hospital found that babies who were regularly read to had a larger “receptive” vocabulary than babies who weren’t, meaning they understood more words. And once they get those words down, we all know there’s no stopping kids from repeating their new favorite words over and over again” (Isbell et al., 2004). The bed time stories and narrative films serve as home schooling platforms that promote to build the learning and understanding capabilities of children. As such, by the time they are enrolled in school, they are in positions to pronounce and in some cases spell various words exceptionally. It is highly recommended to expose children to learning materials at an early age and these media-based commodities are fundamentally playing that role to perfection.
The third impact of media-based commodities on children relates to the fact that they enhance their imaginations and appreciation for breath-taking stories. Studies have shown that these materials help to activate parts in the brain that focus on not only mental imagery but also narrative comprehension (Livingstone, 2004). Similarly, they help to promote social and emotional development because the children tend to develop ideas concerning the characters they read or watch. Through either reading watching their favorite narrations, the little imaginations of the children are pu...