Children Motivations for Using Traditional & Modern Media (A case study of children of 5-10 age in Sanandaj City)

This research aims to examine children’s motivations for, and their extent and manner of, using traditional media (cinema and theater, printed media, etc) and new media (radio, television, satellite, the Internet, etc.) and shed lights on the impacts of such variables as children’s age and gender, their parents’ education, job and accompany with children in using these media. It also tries to determine the relationship between traditional and modern media. The present study employs the two theories of Use and Satisfaction and Media Sociability. It was carried out through a survey of 400 children aged between 5 to 10 from Kurdestan Province Center, i.e. Sanandaj, in summer 1390 (Iranian calendar) using questionnaire as its tool. Research findings show that television is the most widely used media for children and watching TV is one of the most important activities for them in leisure times. Almost half of children watch TV during all days of a week. Parents’ education has a direct relationship with children’s usage of modern media. The more accompany on part of parents for watching TV programs, the more the amount of children viewership.