Parents: Why You Should Think Twice About What Your Children Are Watching

As a stepmom, I have to tread lightly when I make a conscious decision to go against the grain concerning specific household rules and restrictions. But of course, I blame it on the stereotypical portrayal of stepmothers in fairytales and Disney movies that paint us all as just plan evil. How can we win? It’s already predisposed that we are there to make our stepchild’s life horrible –we couldn’t possibly care could we? All jokes aside, I do care – which is why I have taken the time to understand the types media in what is know as the Generation M (multi-tasking, multi-media environment) of today.

Finally we can confidently say that there is evidence that media violence is one of the causal factors of real-life violence and aggression (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009). Media violence is not limited to the “pow, bam” actions of characters of our day, but extends to instances of abuse (emotional, physical, financial, or verbal), sexual assault, harassment, destruction of property, destructive forces of nature (violent storms or systems), forceful destruction of property, hate speech, conflict, and substance use and abuse. So how do movies, television shows, songs, videos, video games, etc. containing violence impact our children? They can: Scare or traumatize, promote stereotypes, promote high-risk behaviors (sexual behaviors and attitudes, alcohol use, etc.), encourages imitation, alters brain development, models negative relationships, causes emotional desensitization, and stimulates violent or aggressive behavior.

Considering the above information, we as parents need to monitor and manage our children’s media environments. This is where I always hear the question, “How can I have such rules in my home when all my child’s friends are allowed to do whatever they want?” We can’t protect our children from all media, but what we can do is have conversations with them about the media in their lives. It may be a battle at first but it is our children that are rewarded in the end. For information regarding the media your children are partaking in, visit commonsensemedia.org. It’s a great site with ratings and sample conversation starters for you and your children.

As a parent I recommend you:

Participate and Share

Act Appropriately

Research, Ratings and Reviews

Examine Consequences

Need Rules and Restrictions

Take Action

Supervision for Safety

So remember – you can do it! You are the parent. I have successfully put in place rules and restrictions regarding the media viewed in my household and I’m a stepmom at that! For more information regarding media violence and internet safety, contact Mandy C. at 519-246-1526 ext. 255 or mandyc@wrrcsa.org.