10 Reasons Media Affects Children..

Who's Raising YOUR Children?

Written by: Ccep J. Dew, West Coast Editor

I was asked to write about 10 ways that the media affects our children and it proved to be a harder task than I initially assumed it to be. Not to say that media and entertainment doesn’t affect the youth, but because it affects adults in similar ways. The only difference is that we’re supposed to know better. Our babies don’t, so please monitor what they watch and hear because they will learn:

1. Bad/unsafe habits – As cute as Dora is, am I the only one who has a problem with her “exploring” with only a monkey as company? What is to keep your daughter from grabbing her stuffed monkey, putting on her “backpack… backpack”, and walking down the street? When Dora is faced with Swiper, a stranger who likes to steal things, she “gives him the hand” and basically tells him to stop. If he steals her stuff, she goes looking for him. So, what do you suspect your young child will do when faced with a stranger?

2. Morales, values, and beliefs – If young people see material goods, they want material goods. If they hear people being referred to by derogatory terms on the radio, they will use those terms. If everyone on television is lying, cheating, using drugs, and being promiscuous, so will they. This differs from singular thoughts and actions in that it creates a basis around which the foundation of their beliefs and values is built. The morality, or lack thereof, that they see becomes instilled in them.

3. How adults behave – The news, sitcoms, dramas, and movies show adult situations that can be inappropriate for young eyes and ears. Sexual scenes, violence, and heated arguments can scar young children. I’m sure my mother saw no harm in taking me along with her and a friend to see What’s Love Got To Do With It?, but several of the scenes gave me nightmares, especially the studio rape scene that is vivid in my mind to this day. Children may not be able to put into words what they are seeing, but they can relate emotionally to fear, anger, and pain.

4. How to speak – Proper English? Slang? Profanity? Whining like the title character of “Caillou”? Children repeat what they hear; usually when we think they aren’t listening. So, if your son is in the corner playing with his trucks, don’t be surprised to hear him repeat crude lines from the movie you’re watching. He’s listening.

5. How to think/act – Cause and effect is all around. Young people see someone make a decision and see the accompanying effect. If someone is misbehaving and their actions are not reprimanded (or are even celebrated), young people will assume it is appropriate behavior; hence the tragic deaths and injuries that have occurred when children pick up a gun or use “wrestling moves” on other innocent children.

To see the last five reasons, click the link below:

http://etmmagazine.info/future/2009/07/2009_07_whoisraisingyourchildren.html