Influences on Children Today

I think that the single most influential item on children today is the media. The media attacks children in so many ways, such as television (commercials and programs), movies, radio, books and magazines, music, schools and advertising. Media manages to find a way into our children’s lives even when we are not looking. Almost every day children are influenced by the media and if parents are not mindful and vigilant in their children’s lives, they will be exposed and manipulated before they are ready to understand what they are watching and listening to. There are advertisements on vehicles and in the mail, television in schools and inappropriate commercials during children’s television shows. I think people allow their children to sit in front of the television as a distraction, thinking it is safe, and their children are being taken advantage of and used. It seems the only safe way to expose children to media influences is by viewing with them, or previewing ahead of time and being available to answer their questions and talk about what they have just viewed, heard or read.

Children and the Media

My views on children and the media are that I think that most television shows and video games are inappropriate and offer exposure to situations and behaviors that effect children in negative ways. I am constantly amazed at the things that I watch on television with my children and the many shows that are age appropriate but have inappropriate information. My daughter watches Jon & Kate Plus 8 and during the commercials, there was advertising for a show about people that killed other people and took the law into their own hands. My daughter wanted to know what it was because the music that played in the background was attracting her attention. I was discussed and have not let her watch any shows or commercials without my being present.

I think that children should be allowed to watch television around age two, but only educational programs or programs that offer a positive message that can be discussed between the parent and the child. I think that television viewing should be limited to one hour a day at the most so that it is seen as a treat or a time to sit down with parents and their child. Television, Internet and video games can be monitored by not allowing their use without a parent present, by having channels locked out so that they cannot be accessed by children, and by allowing children to have access to a computer that is set up for their age appropriate activities only.