Well, it appears as though Disney is set to make a substantial mark on what has long been a childhood tradition.
Remember mom, or dad (or grandmother, aunt, or uncle for that matter), reading you a story before bedtime? Well, imagine lying in bed looking at a computer screen rather than a book. I guess in a world where our use of technology increases almost daily, it doesn’t seem all that unusual, although still hard to imagine, at least for me; it just doesn’t seem right reading off of a laptop instead of an edition from the Little Golden Book collection.
Nonetheless, Disney is daring enough to transition story time from paperback to the web, planning to unveil their new web-based service sometime this week. The article describes this new innovation as an ‘industry-defining moment,’ a web site, accessed with a subscription, that offers electronic versions of hundreds of Disney classics from “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too” to “Hannah Montana: Crush-tastic!” (note the sarcasm in regards to Montana being a classic, though its sure to be one someday at the rate its going, but that’s another blog). The subscription costs $79.95.
So, not only will this new digital service replace actual books, but it also aims to replace the family tradition of story time. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit, but the service is aimed at children 3-12, prime age for storybook reading, and it offers the books being read by actors. So now, instead of mom sitting next to you in bed, she can go to the next room over and work on her laptop after she tucks her three-year-old in with their laptop, which is no doubt pink and sparkly, and presses play!
I apologize, I am really just being devil’s advocate here, I really don’t have much of a problem with this except for the fact that it’s a little sad how rapidly the world is changing, and that such a sentimental part of growing up might disappear, though I must admit I don’t remember story time from my childhood. It actually might be an educational tool, including a section for older children that can read on their own where unfamiliar words can be clicked on and will be recited aloud. It also has chapter books and trivia rounds available with the subscription.
Hopefully, this won’t replace a seemingly ancient family tradition, but rather alter it, making it more interactive and a learning experience for young children.
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Wow, I didn't think of that. Emmie blogged about this as I was doing my posting run and mentioned that Disney is making a good move towards technology from a business standpoint. What got me was when you mention that on top of a story being on a computer it can also be a helpful learning tool for children. That just makes Disney's move even more sensible to use eBooks.
ReplyDeleteLeave it to Disney to do something like this. I agree that they are taking away from tradition, but can you say you blame them for doing it? With the world the way it is today it isn;t uncommon for children to have their own computers and cellular devices. Parents live busy lives these days and may not always have time to sit by their child's bedside and read. With Disney putting stories on the web, parents can call their children and read to them or children who are at a reading age can read for themseleves no matter where they are.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you wrote this blog. Even though I disagree, I think you presented your argument in a entertaining way.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think this is a great move for Disney. Let me just start by saying that I dont plan to have children. I think I'm missing the 'maternal instinct'.. so I've been told. But If I were to be a mother, I would love this new addition to story time. Now, mom who works fulltime and does everything else can enjoy not having to do one less thing or atleast, not feel guilty about shoving in a DVD for the child to watch while they fall asleep.
Also, today I think children prefer movies over books and having a book online that is read to them by actors gives you the learning benifits of the child seeing the words while still satisfiying the want for a movie.
Although, I do understand your point of the tradition of mother reading the stories at bedtime and I do remember my mother reading to me. I'd have to say that If I were a mother,I would rather have one less thing to do and a little more time to work on a brief for work and then inturn be able to put my child through college.
Great Blog! I am on the fence on this one. I think its great Disney is inventing new ways to reach children today. In today's society parents are very busy with work and other obligations. So in a sense it is good that children will still have the chance to hear their favorite bedtime story. However, I still feel that children should have interaction with their parents while reading a bedtime story. In my opinion , I believe that the best solution would be to include online story telling along with parent story telling.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you when you say it's sad how fast the world is changing; I think it's extremely sad! Like you said, sentimental things disappear. Technology has advanced so much that people are finding pleasure in taking walks in the park via virtual reality in their own home as opposed to going outside and enjoying the real thing! That's how I feel about reading Disney books online. We have advanced so much as a society that the things we find sentiment have all become technologically based. Books, in general, ESPECIALLY children's books, should be read in the hands of a child, not via internet.
ReplyDeleteIt's the way of the future and it can't be stopped. I'm worried about old traditions like this going away, but it won't. It may take a different form, but the kids who grow up with it won't know the difference. Yet that's the sad part. There's no easy way around this, I've mixed feelings about how fast the future is moving towards technoloy.
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