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Jan. 3, 2008
Teaching Media Discernment
Posted in Family
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We are careful about what we allow our children to watch, read and listen to. I am sure we make mistakes, and there are people who wouldn't agree with every decision we make. But our kids at least know that it matters. They know that we don't walk willy-nilly into a movie theater and watch any ole movie on the screen. We read reviews ahead of time to see if it is appropriate for our family. The twelve-year-old gets to see a few movies that the nine-year-old isn't allowed to see, and mom and dad take the college kids to see movies that we wouldn't take our children to see. (I am Legend comes to mind-- great discussion starter for college kids, nightmare inducer for 4 year olds.) They know, for example, that we aren't going to see The Golden Compass, even though it has a polar bear in it and Reed loves polar bears. (Another movie that might be appropriate for college students/adults to watch and discuss but is not for my kids to watch.) And when they are at my mom's house, if they are unsure about something on TV they turn it off until they can call and ask about it. We didn't tell them that part-- they came up with it on their own. That part always amuses and impresses my mom. I was likewise impressed last Friday when we were out with the college students and Jason's cell phone rang. Spenser was at a sleepover and called to say "So-and-so's older brother is watching 40-Year-Old Virgin. Can I watch it or do I need to find something else to do?" Jason's response: "Find something else to do." He didn't have to call-- we would have never known that he had seen it unless he confessed. But it shows that what we are doing is important-- we can teach our kids to be discerning about their media intake. I am not saying he will always make the best choices and always call us and ask. But, for now, I know I can trust him, and I know we are doing the right thing. Installing our values into our kids is not only possible, it is imperative. Media is the plural of medium: a means of effecting or conveying something. I am the one who gets to decide what is conveyed to my kids, and I am teaching them to make that choice as well. |
Comments
Jan. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
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Posted by Emily
Jan. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
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