Beyond 'Media Panics': Reconceptualising public debates about children and media
License
Access Rights
Cadmus Permanent Link
Full-text via DOI
ISBN
ISSN
1748-2798; 1748-2801
Issue Date
Type of Publication
Keyword(s)
LC Subject Heading
Other Topic(s)
EUI Research Cluster(s)
Initial version
Published version
Succeeding version
Preceding version
Published version part
Earlier different version
Initial format
Author(s)
Citation
Journal of Children and Media, 2012, 6, 4, 413-429
Cite
BUCKINGHAM, David, JENSEN, Helle Strandgaard, Beyond ‘Media Panics’: Reconceptualising public debates about children and media, Journal of Children and Media, 2012, 6, 4, 413-429 - https://hdl.handle.net/1814/25380
Abstract
This paper presents a critical review of the use of “moral panics” theory as a means of understanding public debates about children and media, and specifically of the notion of “media panics.” Following a brief presentation of the origins and key aspects of media panics theory, it focuses on six key issues that are at stake. It argues that there are some problems with the epistemology of media panics theory, with its account of intentionality, and with its claim to rationality. It further suggests that media panics theory tends to provide a “presentist” view of history, and a rather oversimplified account of cultural and generational politics; and that it neglects the positive positions that are also often rehearsed in public debate. The final section of the article provides brief discussions of two approaches that might provide productive alternatives to media panics theory: social constructionism and new cultural history.
Table of Contents
Additional Information
Received: 03 Aug 2011
Accepted: 12 Oct 2012
Version of record first published: 09 Nov 2012