This is a double-edged sword. The algorithm can be a brilliant tutor, but it can also be a radicalizing propagandist. The same entertainment mechanics that teach you how to change a tire can teach you conspiracy theories. The medium, as Marshall McLuhan said, is the message.
I grew up in a household where screen time was a significant part of daily life. My parents would often use TV and movies as a way to keep me occupied while they attended to other tasks. I was mesmerized by children's shows like Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, and Blue's Clues. These programs not only entertained me but also taught me valuable lessons about friendship, sharing, and problem-solving. This is a double-edged sword
A 3-year-old opens the app.
Popular media is the first teacher for most children today—but it’s an uncredentialed, profit-driven teacher. The best approach is active co-viewing : a parent or mentor who says, “What did Bluey teach us about feelings?” or “Why do you think that video wants you to buy that toy?” Without that mediation, the first teacher might be entertaining, but it will also be incomplete. The medium, as Marshall McLuhan said, is the message
For many of us, our earliest exposure to structured learning didn’t come from a textbook — it came from entertainment content and popular media. I was mesmerized by children's shows like Sesame