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.