IMPACTS OF DIGITAL MEDIA USE ON CHILDREN CHARACTERS

Abstract

This study is aimed to identify the impacts of using digital media in the shaping of children characters. The data of this study were collected through participatory observation and structured interview. The research was conducted at Islamic Integrated Preschool of MON KUTA in Banda Aceh. The informants of this study were three teachers and two the parents of a student of Islamic Integrated Preschool of MON KUTA. The data in this study were analyzed using the descriptive qualitative method. The results of the study indicated that there are positive and negative effects of the use of digital media in the shaping of children's characters. The positive impacts of using digital media are as the entertainment and educational media for children when the use of digital media is under the guidance of parents. Whereas the negative impacts of digital media are children to be individualistic, become lazy and less interacting with others if the use of digital media becomes addictive to children and there is no supervision from parents. This study can provide readers with new knowledge about the impacts of using digital media in the shaping of children characters.

Keywords: Impacts, Digital Media, Children Character