Negative Media Influences“The growing influx of destructive images and messages into the home.”

The number 8 topic facing today’s family, as expressed
by individuals from a range of backgrounds, is “Negative Media Influences.”

The media, more specifically the entertainment media, have long been the subject of criticism
by Christians and traditionalists… and for good reason. Since the invention of the printing press brought about cheap print, a wedge has been driven into Western culture. The disposability and constant market for new entertainment content makes it a natural battleground between two competing forces. Those forces are values that promote the family versus values to pleasure the individual.

Our modern entertainment media, rampant with s–, violence, and anti-authoritarian sentiment,
traces its roots to the rise of “carnival” in Europe in the 16th century — a festival of rebellion against the Church allowed one day per year that since has evolved into what we know as Mardi Gras.
In recent years, however, personal pleasure and freedom have been enshrined to the point that family values are not merely rebelled against but are considered a threat. The traditional values of faith, nation, and family are being
overwhelmed by a juggernaut of image and sound across numerous platforms.

“We may not like to admit it, but everything influences us. Parents should monitor all media. The media continues to increase in promoting not just entertainment but also a worldly agenda.” Cheri S. Las Vegas, NV

” We are being desensitized daily to what one should tolerate to the point of not recognizing sin as sin but accepting it as
the way things are.” Sara H. Huber Heights, OH

WOW this is a big one for our kids. Our kids are bombarded with media everywhere they go. Even when your eating out with your family. This topic should bring great discussion.

Here are some interesting statistics:

• In a year, the average child spends 900 hours in school and nearly 1023 hours in front of the TV.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that kids watch about 4 hours of TV per day, even though AAP guidelines say children over two should watch no more than one to two hours a day of quality programming
• Children who watch consistently more than four hours per day are more likely to be overweight
• Kids who watch violent events such as kidnapping and murder are also more likely to believe that something bad will happen to them
• The average American child will witness over 200,000 violent acts on television by the age of eighteen.
• Studies have shown teens who watch a lot of s–ual content on TV or more likely to initiate or participate in other s–ual activities earlier than peers who don’t watch s–ually explicit shows
• A recent study conducted by the center on alcohol marketing in use at Georgetown University found that the top 15 teen oriented programs in 2003 had alcohol ads.
• Children and United States according to AAP will see more than 40,000 commercials each year

That’s just the television, add to the mix music, video games, and internet. Parents realize that most game systems today have internet access. (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP and more) Make sure to read the instructions so you can protect your children.

So the question is, What can I do to help my kids?

• Monitor the content of TV programming and set viewing limits to ensure that your child is not spend time watching TV that should be spent on other activities, such as playing with friends, exercising, and reading.
• Know TV parental guidelines
• Use parental controls such as V. chip or other password protectors
  • Caution don’t rely too heavily on the tools and stop monitoring what your children are watching, viewing on the Internet, or video games you still need to monitor closely what media influences your children are exposed to.

• Preview shows to determine if they are acceptable for your children to view
• Teach children good TV habits
  • Limit the number of TV hours
  • Treat TV as a privilege that your child needs to earn
  • Turn the TV off at meals
  • Keep TVs and out of your child’s bedroom
  • Don’t allow your child to watch TV while doing homework

• Try a fast from TV and do things as a family
  • Offer fun alternatives to TV
• Set a good example by limiting your own television viewing
• Come up with the TV schedule
• Watch TV with your child
  • Talk to your child about what they see on TV and share your own beliefs and values. If you see something you don’t approve of as it appears on the screen, you can turn off the TV, then use the opportunity to ask your child thought provoking questions such as, “do you think it was OK when those men gotten that fight?”

• Healthy habits for video and interactive computer games
• Limited video game time
• Look at the ratings
• Preview the games, read reviews, and even play the games before you give them to your child the games rating may not match what we feel is appropriate for your child
• Help your child with a perspective on the games; monitor how the games are affecting your child. If your child seems more aggressive after spending time playing a certain game, it’s a good idea to discuss the game and help your child understand how the violence that’s portrayed as different from what occurs in the real world.
• Treat it as a privilege the child needs to earn
• If your child has a game system that has access to the Internet make sure to regulate their online game partners as well as restrict access to certain websites
  • New game consoles have been able to access pornographic web sites through the gaming system

• Internet safety

• Become computer literate
• Find out about online protection (I recommend safe eyes www.internetsafety.com)
• Keep the computer and a common area
• Share an e-mail account with your younger children
  • Never use your child’s name for their e-mail address

• Bookmark your child’s favorite sites
• Spend time together on the internet
• Remember people can be someone else so either prevent or closely monitor chat rooms.

• Make sure to maintain and monitor your child’s phone many phones have internet
• Review their Internet history often

Do you have a filter, if not visit this site: internetsafety.com

/ Safe Eyes Parental Controls Include:

1. Content Controls - Flexible content control allows you to select the types of website that are appropriate.
2. Program Controls - Control Instant Messengers, P2P File Sharing, and other harmful programs.
3. Time Controls - Control the amount of time spent online, and the times when the internet is available.
4. Usage Logging - Create and review logs of websites visited, programs used on the Internet, and Instant Messaging Chats.
5. Usage Alerts - Be notified instantly via email, text message, or phone call when someone visits inappropriate websites.