The Disappearance of Nursery Rhymes—An Exploration of the Alienation of Children's Songs in the New Media Era

Abstract

Under the influence of new media and communication platforms, Chinese children's songs in the 21st century have undergone significant alienation. Adult-oriented, pop-music-like, and media-driven audiovisual performances have replaced traditional children's songs, becoming a popular online cultural phenomenon and social problem among teenagers. This divergence from traditional children's musical aesthetics is increasingly controlled by the algorithms and big data of information dissemination platforms in family, school, and social settings. This not only distorts children's nature but also turns teenagers into free entertainment laborers for the platform industry through various motivational online participation. The alienation of children's songs, the alienation of educational dissemination, and the alienation of children's roles must be taken seriously. The disappearance of children's songs is a warning of the disappearance of Chinese children's childhood, which is not only detrimental to the aesthetic education and mental and physical health of teenagers but also to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the realization of the Chinese Dream.