TOW #6 - Conflicting Viewpoints

Conflicting Viewpoints

     This is a political cartoon that was released in the Pittsburg Post Gazette and created by Melissa Trahin. It addresses the issue of social media's focus on violence that kids are drawn to. In this day in age, many children are exposed to various types of inappropriate material. Social media nurtures short attention spans, as seen in the child'd wide-eyes and hunched body over the game controller. On the other hand, the adults who appear to be against this social media obsession, are staring straight into the TV screen as well. It is a bit ironic, and by illustrating this moment as is helps to emphasize how many people don't even realize an addiction to media. 

     Irony also comes into play with the parents agreeing with the school policy against guns, while allowing their child to be exposed to violent video games. The environment that children grow up in is saturated with media culture, so it is difficult to keep children away from it. However, as her humorous allusion illustrates, without paying attention to and properly confronting their children on this issue, nothing will change. They could be very concerned about guns and violence, but if their son is playing violent video games than the issue will continue to be prevalent in everyday life. 

     Trahin realizes the extent of this issue in the 21st century. As it effects people of all ages, the best way for her to engage a wide audience was by appealing to their emotions. She effectively accomplishes this by making her entire cartoon humorous. The details and sarcastic illustrations also help to convey her message. What she hopes to gain from creating this cartoon is for educators and parents to help understand the need for limitations on media usage to help optimize children's development.