RADIO IN THE LIVES OF CONTEMPORARY CHILDREN

Abstract

The article explores the place of radio listening in the leisure activities of contemporary children. It is based on the results of interviews with mothers from Moscow, during which information was collected about their awareness of Children’s Radio (Detskoe radio) and whether their children listen to its programs. The empirical basis of the study consists of 21 interviews. The research aimed to determine whether modern children listen to the radio, how they learn about this possibility, how radio listening is integrated into their daily lives, and how parents assess the role of radio broadcasts in their children’s development. The study revealed that only half of the respondents were aware of Children’s Radio, and their children listened to its programs on a regular basis, while the children of the other respondents preferred alternative audio sources such as podcasts and audio-books. The interviewed mothers believed that children’s interest in listening is determined by their auditory perception skills and noted that this type of attention is often accompanied by other activities (such as drawing) or occurs during transportation. Among the most popular Children’s Radio programs were educational and entertainment formats. Mothers especially valued the opportunities for interaction between child listeners and radio hosts, emphasizing the importance of on-air interactivity. The findings indicate that contemporary children’s radio maintains its own audience, and its appeal lies in the sense of involvement and shared experience.