Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature Portrayals
The early connection children form with nature is vital in fostering positive attitudes towards the environment. Television plays a significant role in shaping these attitudes, yet the inclusion of environmental messaging in children’s programs remains unexplored. This study investigates the extent...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Conservation |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/4/4/43 |
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| author | Breanna L. Morgan Bradley P. Smith |
| author_facet | Breanna L. Morgan Bradley P. Smith |
| author_sort | Breanna L. Morgan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The early connection children form with nature is vital in fostering positive attitudes towards the environment. Television plays a significant role in shaping these attitudes, yet the inclusion of environmental messaging in children’s programs remains unexplored. This study investigates the extent of conservation messages and nature portrayals on Australian free-to-air children’s television. A mixed-methods approach was employed, analysing all programs airing on ABC Kids, a network aimed at children aged two to six years old, over a seven-day period. Phase 1 involved summarising program descriptions, types, styles, moral themes, and durations. Phase 2 entailed viewing all episodes and noting environmental representations, which were then analysed using content analysis. Only 14.3% of programs (10/70), representing 10.3% of airtime (481/4652 min), included an ‘Environmental Experiences’ moral theme. Content analysis revealed six distinct themes in environmental representations, with more positive than negative messages. These messages were predominantly implicit, conveyed through character dialogue and imagery. Environmental moments represented a balance of flora and fauna but were largely not fact-based. This study suggests a need for increased airtime for environmentally focused programs and more consideration of current environmental issues. Producers are encouraged to include more positive environmental morals and align themes with children’s learning styles to enhance their connection to and understanding of environmental issues. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a0a0f12d2b8e43b4bf01b689d2219ba5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-7159 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation |
| spelling | doaj-art-a0a0f12d2b8e43b4bf01b689d2219ba52025-08-20T02:55:45ZengMDPI AGConservation2673-71592024-11-014473174710.3390/conservation4040043Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature PortrayalsBreanna L. Morgan0Bradley P. Smith1School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity (Adelaide Campus), P.O. Box 42, Goodwood, SA 5034, AustraliaSchool of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity (Adelaide Campus), P.O. Box 42, Goodwood, SA 5034, AustraliaThe early connection children form with nature is vital in fostering positive attitudes towards the environment. Television plays a significant role in shaping these attitudes, yet the inclusion of environmental messaging in children’s programs remains unexplored. This study investigates the extent of conservation messages and nature portrayals on Australian free-to-air children’s television. A mixed-methods approach was employed, analysing all programs airing on ABC Kids, a network aimed at children aged two to six years old, over a seven-day period. Phase 1 involved summarising program descriptions, types, styles, moral themes, and durations. Phase 2 entailed viewing all episodes and noting environmental representations, which were then analysed using content analysis. Only 14.3% of programs (10/70), representing 10.3% of airtime (481/4652 min), included an ‘Environmental Experiences’ moral theme. Content analysis revealed six distinct themes in environmental representations, with more positive than negative messages. These messages were predominantly implicit, conveyed through character dialogue and imagery. Environmental moments represented a balance of flora and fauna but were largely not fact-based. This study suggests a need for increased airtime for environmentally focused programs and more consideration of current environmental issues. Producers are encouraged to include more positive environmental morals and align themes with children’s learning styles to enhance their connection to and understanding of environmental issues.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/4/4/43conservation messagingenvironmental educationchildren’s televisionmedia |
| spellingShingle | Breanna L. Morgan Bradley P. Smith Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature Portrayals Conservation conservation messaging environmental education children’s television media |
| title | Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature Portrayals |
| title_full | Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature Portrayals |
| title_fullStr | Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature Portrayals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature Portrayals |
| title_short | Environmental Representation on Australian Children’s Television: An Analysis of Conservation Messages and Nature Portrayals |
| title_sort | environmental representation on australian children s television an analysis of conservation messages and nature portrayals |
| topic | conservation messaging environmental education children’s television media |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/4/4/43 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT breannalmorgan environmentalrepresentationonaustralianchildrenstelevisionananalysisofconservationmessagesandnatureportrayals AT bradleypsmith environmentalrepresentationonaustralianchildrenstelevisionananalysisofconservationmessagesandnatureportrayals |