In an age overflowing with shorts and reels, the average media usage time of children aged 3 to 9 in our country has exceeded 3 hours per day.
This is truly an era of “brain rot.”
However, we can't raise children solely through surveillance and control. In the AI ​​era, it's only natural for children to access information digitally.
Developing 'media self-control', the ability to use digital media wisely rather than being dragged around by it, requires significant intervention from parents.
An expert with 15 years of experience working with children and media offers practical and compassionate solutions.

The word of the year for 2024, chosen by Oxford University in the UK, was “brain rot.”
It was a keyword that chillingly showed how our brains have deteriorated to an unbearable degree in an age overflowing with shorts and reels.
It was a word that so clearly showed the times that I couldn't just hear it and pass it over.
Not only adults, but also children are suffering the full effects of the flood of digital content.

--- pp.5~6

But raising children through surveillance and control alone isn't enough. In the AI ​​era, accessing information digitally is a given, and if used wisely, it could become the seed that changes the world.
That's why 'media literacy' education is so necessary for both children and parents.
There's a lot to talk about in relation to media life, including what media is, how it's created, how the world depicted in content is similar and different from reality, why there are ads on YouTube, why there are age restrictions, what happens if you watch videos without restrictions, and what's bad about watching media or playing games as a reward.

--- p.7

“Overprotect in real life, underprotect online.” This is the most impressive line from Jonathan Haidt’s book, “Generation Anxiety” (Woongjin Knowledge House), and it is a sentence that parents who need to strike a balance between appropriate control and use of media should think about at least once.
There's a paradox going on: in reality, we over-check, over-direct, and over-control our children, but in the digital world, we neglect them.
In reality, we allow children more play and freedom, while online, we need more careful intervention.

--- pp.7~8

I wonder when my child will ever turn off his or her smartphone, turn off YouTube, and sit down at his or her desk.
But that never happens on its own.
It's an illusion to think that if you give your child complete authority, he or she will do it on his or her own.
Just as you learn through experience that you shouldn't touch something hot in the future, I think there are parents who expect their children to stop doing media if they get sick of it.
Absolutely not.
That level of will and determination is something that only middle and high school students can achieve.
In terms of brain development, it is around the age of 30 when the frontal lobe finishes developing.
Meanwhile, the brains of children exposed to the media may be seriously damaged.

--- p.22

If you're at war with your child over smartphones and YouTube, think about it now.
For what purpose are you using the media?
If it's habitual, because your child is sleepy, because you don't want to be disturbed, etc., then you should definitely consider whether there are any ways to improve it.
I'm wondering if there are any other activities that my child enjoys that can be substituted, or if there are simple games or activities that they can do for 5 or 10 minutes when they have to wait outside for something.

--- p.32

I'm not saying you should always be skeptical, but you should definitely think twice before choosing content to show your children.
Most of the videos that children watch, in particular, are not short films but 'series'.
My child has loved Peppa Pig since he was 5 years old, and there are currently 9 seasons of the show, with each season having about 50 to 60 episodes.
There are about 500 episodes in total.
I've seen this over and over again.
If the worldview of this content contains contempt or prejudice against a specific group, the child will have no choice but to accept it as is.

--- p.52

There was a significant difference not only in the age and time of exposure, but also in whether the media was viewed with a guardian.
In the group with delayed social development, 77% of children watched media alone, while in the control group, this rate was 39%, a difference of about twice.
The research team also explained, “Long exposure to media at a young age reduces the time for communication and interaction with parents and creative play,” and “The limitations of infants’ memory, attention, and cognitive abilities and the one-way nature of media can have a negative impact on sensitive periods for brain development, which can hinder social development.”
--- p.82

The reasons for concern about children's video viewing are, firstly, because it reduces the time for face-to-face interaction with parents or other people, and secondly, because it prevents them from receiving the appropriate physical, language, and emotional stimulation they need to learn during that time.
But using video like this can help alleviate both of those concerns.

--- p.91

It is extremely important for children to comply with the viewing and usage age.
Parents need to take an interest and look into it.
Because children still have difficulty distinguishing between the real world and the visual world shown by digital media, we need to show them things that are age-appropriate and appropriate for their children.
Also, you should definitely talk with your child before and after using content or games.
Parents must be the bridge between the world shown in videos and games and the real world.
--- p.140

Once children reach elementary school, their boundaries regarding digital media become increasingly blurred.
Many children acquire smartphones as soon as they enter elementary school, and the use of digital devices and app services for learning is also increasing.
In times like these, you need to talk more with your child.
It's especially important to have a conversation before buying or using any digital device.
The moment you put digital media in someone's hands without preparation, it can become difficult to control.
--- p.151

The beginning of media literacy is rules.
The rule comes from conversations between family members.
When children become elementary school students, parents must also break away from their consistent “no” attitude and become more willing to listen and talk to their children who come to them for negotiation.
If you don't talk to your parents before you turn 10, your teenage years will be more difficult.
According to related statistics, media use peaks in 4th to 6th grade elementary school students.
According to the '2022 Youth Media Usage Survey', the average internet usage time for upper elementary school students was 8 hours (479.6 minutes) per day.
That's a huge number.
It is no exaggeration to say that we spend our waking hours with media.
How you spend this time has a huge impact on your child's character and academic performance.
--- p.152

The reason I'm discussing the structural problems of digital media in detail is because I want to emphasize that media addiction and its negative impacts are difficult to improve through individual effort alone.
As the media industry continues to develop, we are constantly distracted and independent decision-making becomes increasingly difficult.
It's definitely not an area that children can control on their own.
Parental help is absolutely necessary.
Even adults with considerable hip strength have difficulty controlling the media, so it is extremely dangerous to expose children to media without restrictions.
Society must also consider social and policy solutions, and educate families to prevent over-reliance or addiction.

--- p.177