Remote Control Childhood? How to be a Better Parent in Today’s Media-Driven World.

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Washington State University Vancouver will present child development specialist and child advocate Diane Levin on March 18 when she will discuss the effects of media on children.

The event is set for 7:30-9 p.m. at Clark College’s Foster Auditorium in Foster Hall and is free and open to the public. Donations to support the Southwest Washington Association for the Education of Young Children will be accepted at the door.

Levin, a nationally renowned author and speaker, specializes in the ways trends can influence children and in the developmental importance of children’s play and the effects that media violence and commercialism can have on children’s healthy play and development.  She works with teachers and families to help find ways to understand and address these concerns. 

According to Levin, the average child spends an average of five and a half hours per day using media (all forms); and children’s television shows portray more violent actions than adult programs. Television programs and advertising play a major role in family life in society. Many parents are concerned about the effect that today’s television, toys and media technologies have on children, she said.

Levin has written six books on the effect of media on children, including “Teaching Young Children in Violent Times: Building a Peaceable Classroom,” “The War Play Dilemma,” and “Remote Control Childhood? Combating the Hazards of Media Culture.” The books will be available for purchase at the event. 

The event is sponsored by WSU Vancouver, Clark College and the Southwest Washington Association for the Education of Young Children.

Clark College is located at 1800 E. McLoughlin Boulevard, Vancouver.