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Media: Making Informed Choices
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No matter where we go or what we do, we're surrounded by the media. And new forms of media communications are coming at us every day. Does the media reflect our culture or shape it? That question is debatable, but we all agree that the media has a profound influence on us, and particularly on our children.
Violence in Media
The information available to us through today's media offers an exciting and wonderful array of choices for entertainment and learning. However, some of what we see, hear, and read in the media is unacceptably violent.
The good news is that, as media users, we are in charge. We have the freedom to make decisions about what we want to experience through the media. Our challenge is to learn how to make intelligent, thoughtful choices.
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5 - 6 violent acts occur per hour on prime time and
20 - 25 acts an hour on children's programming.
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Take Charge of Your Family's Media Habits
Limit viewing. Set specific hours when TV, video, and
computer games are okay.
Find out if your child watches TV in daycare. If yes,
how much? If it is on too long, voice your concern to
the director.
Don't make the TV the focal point in your home and keep
sets out of your kid's rooms.
As alternatives to TV, plan family activities and outings.
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73% of violence on T.V. is rewarded or unpunished, and 58% of violent acts show no pain to victims.
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Be selective. As a family, plan what you want to watch.
When the program's over, turn it off and talk about it.
Ban unacceptable programs. Tell you children why.
Know what your children are watching. Watch with them.
Discuss media violence. Come up with alternative,
non-violent ways to solve problems.
Set a good example. Look closely at what you watch!
Monitor your children's use of on-line computer services.
Listen with your kids to their music an discuss it with them.
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