Part A

When looking at the influence of media on the behavior of children and youth, particularly those with emotional or behavioral disorders, thee are several important points to keep in mind. For example, children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders may be particularly susceptible to imitating behaviors seen in various media, including television, movies, and video games (Hallahan et al., 2022). With this in mind, here are two examples to show how media can affect young peoples behavior along with possible solutions.

Example 1: Normalization of Aggression

Media often portrays aggression and violence as acceptable responses to conflict, which can be particularly influential on children with emotional or behavioral disorders who may already struggle with aggression and hostility. Regular exposure to violent content in media can normalize such behavior, making it more likely for these children to imitate what they see on-screen.

Parents and teachers can intervene by monitoring and controlling the type of content these children are exposed to. Implementing strict guidelines about what is watched, and discussing the consequences of violence can help mitigate its normalization. Educational settings can incorporate programs that teach alternative, non-violent ways of handling conflicts, reinforcing these through role-playing and social skills training (Hallahan et al., 2022).

Example 2: Social Isolation

Excessive media use, particularly social...

For children with emotional or behavioral disorders, this isolation can exacerbate symptoms such as depression and withdrawal, reducing opportunities to develop necessary social skills (Hallahan et al., 2022).

Encouraging participation in structured social activities can help. Schools and community centers can offer clubs, sports, and other group activities that match the child's interests but also require cooperation and interaction. Parents and teachers can set limits on screen time, so that it does not replace face-to-face interactions and instead scheduling regular social interactions that build and enhance social skills.

To address these challenges, it is important for parents, educators, and caregivers to take an...

…education, thereby perpetuating social disparities (Hallahan et al., 2022).

However, the role of gifted education in maintaining the status quo can be mitigated by inclusive practices that actively seek to identify and nurture potential from a wide range of socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. Hallahan et al. (2022) suggest that gifted programs can be redesigned to be more inclusive, thereby democratizing access to advanced educational opportunities and using gifted education as a lever for social mobility rather than an instrument of social stratification.

Conclusion

Gifted education can be perceived as elitist and as reinforcing the social power status quo, but the reality is that it fundamentally aims to address educational needs that are as legitimate as any other special educational needs (Vakeva et al., 2022). The challenge lies in ensuring these programs are accessible and equitable, actively seeking to dismantle, rather than reinforce, existing educational inequities. Through redefining how we identify and support gifted students, these programs have the potential to become transformative…