Creating Healthy Content For Children: A Noble Profession, Say IGCF Experts

Media and psychology experts emphasised that creating content for children is a noble profession, comparable to that of teachers and educational specialists. This profession plays a crucial role in instilling positive values, enhancing children's skills and abilities, and helping them acquire new competencies. Moreover, it contributes to protecting them from negative phenomena such as bullying, stress, anxiety, and sexual abuse.

Dr. Fahda Bawazir highlighted the power of cartoons and animated films in instilling ethical and positive values in children, inspiring them to explore, think critically, set goals, and pursue their dreams. She emphasised the importance of selecting educational and entertaining content that opens doors to creativity and imagination while supporting parents in teaching their children to make conscious decisions.

Dr. Bawazir also outlined a range of positive values and skills that children can learn from animated films and series, such as physical exercise, healthy diets, simple breathing techniques, basic first aid, calmness, time management, sportsmanship, and friendship. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of nurturing creativity, writing, and imagination while warning against the potential psychological harm children might experience when exposed to inappropriate content.

Shadi Shraiha addressed the significant impact of animated films and series on children. He underscored the responsibility of content creators in an environment saturated with Western content. He pointed out that the animation industry in the Arab world is still emerging. He referenced a study that found children's screen time on social media had risen from 4.5 hours per day in 2019 to 5.5 hours in 2023.

Shraiha emphasised that content creators focused on quick profits are misguided when producing valuable content reflecting local stories and values. He stressed the importance of strategic thinking and collaboration between media outlets and children's content creators. While quick profits might be tempting, long-term success will naturally follow if the content is enriching and beneficial.

Future Prospects for Children's Content

Shraiha outlined several challenges faced by children's content creators. These include striking a balance between engaging content and meaningful messaging within the limited attention span of children. Additionally, he pointed out the need to create scientifically accurate, technologically advanced content that keeps pace with rapid advancements in augmented reality where children can interact with story characters by scanning codes.

He also highlighted the importance of addressing children's interests, helping them overcome challenges, and catering to the needs of children with disabilities. Shraiha expressed hope for establishing a platform which evaluates children's content through a panel of experts in media, education, and psychology.

This was discussed during a session titled "The Future of Children's Content: Between Competitiveness and Cultural Values," featuring Dr. Fahda Bawazir, Senior Clinical Psychologist; Shadi Shraiha; Co-Founder; CEO of Digitales Media; moderated by Saudi media professional Khalil Al-Fahd. The session was part of the second day of the 13th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), organised by Sharjah Government Media Bureau at Expo Centre Sharjah under "Agile Governments.. Innovative Communication."

The discussion underscored how creating quality children's content is akin to teaching professions due to its profound impact on young minds. It highlighted how thoughtful media can protect kids from harmful influences while promoting their overall development.

With inputs from WAM