identity and children

So while observing the kids at Kidnet, I really realized the enormous amount of media and activities that children identify themselves with. This form of identification goes beyond liking something, but truly shaping their lives based on it. I can't decide of this is beautiful or superficial.
For instance, a girl at Ellie in Kidnet loves animals. She has 14 pets of all kinds: lizards, turtles, cats, fish etc. She not only loves these animals, but her life is based on these animals. When asked what would she wish for if she had three wishes, she said she hoped her pets could be healthy forever, that she could be a vet when she grows up, and that she could get a dog.
With many children especially with Ellie, I find this strong identification with a hobby to be very healthy, even inspiring. I wish half the older people I know could have such strong passion for something. Children need to define themselves in a strong way, to create an identity. It gives them motivation, direction, ambition, and hope. It is one of the most important elements of development in my opinion.
However, sometimes these forms of identity are not so positive. For instance, one of the students, Denzel, has a very strong liking for a shooting game called Call of Duty. First of all, I'd like to say that I myself love this game. Also, I am the last to say that video games are detrimental to children; on the contrary I think it helps them learn. However, when you base your identity upon a violent game, I do believe that will have some negative affects. There are enormous amounts of media surrounding these children today, and I do believe they should be surrounded by more positive media. Rappers will often talk about sex and drugs, and one may argue that this has no real affect on children's actions because they're just songs, but it perpetuates an image that children will think is cool.

Which brings me to a rant about the concept of "cool." In my opinion, the feeling of "cool" and the people and ideas are associated with it are a psychological mechanism of development. It is the implementation of strong emotion and passion upon a subject that is desirable to immitate. So, if we want to create a positive future, we had best make what children think are "cool" to be positive.