Media of any form has grown tremendously in the past few decades, and our children now have wider access to it than ever before. Whereas less than two decades ago, media was limited to television and radio, the emergence of internet and social media has not just made any form of media more available but mores those that can be destructive for our children.
Violence, sexual explicitness and profanity are at a touch of a child's fingertips. How will parents today deal with the danger that is so easily available on television and in smart devices? The key is to work hand-in-hand with your children, and to treat your plan of media management at home as a partnership more than a regulation.
1. Over-communicate household values.
Great Schools shares the importance of values in building a healthy dosage of media at home. When children start complaining about their friends being allowed to watch shows irregardless of the profanity and violence that is present, remind them of the values that the family shares and that the values are not just ours but theirs as children as well.
Bring it down to a level that they would understand such as sharing the short term effects such as the nightmares it may cause or the effects on their friendships.
2. Encourage Christian media but don't force it
There may be a lot of Christian movies, Chrisitan music, Christian websites and Christian personalities that children can follow, but it should never be forced. We can promote and encourage our children to give certain content a chance, but it is still their choice if they like them or not. And truth be told, there is so much Christian media content out today that your children will be bound to find the one they will like.
3. Do your research
When unsure of the kinds of artists, shows or movies that our kids are watching, we should never fail to do research of our own. Often kids will shut down our principles just because they think we don't know anything about what they're consuming, and often they're right. It pays to take the time to double check on what your kids are watching and consuming.
4. Do not shut out all media
Shutting out all media is not only unnecessary, but can even backfire. We live in a day and age that media has become a way of life. Important aspects such as education, leisure and even ministry have transferred some of their efforts to social and entertainment media. While it is good to set boundaries and give limitations, to completely close it off would also build socially unhealthy children that gets shut out from a large chunk of the world.
5. Give a strict schedule with room for grace
According to Highlight Health, a good amount of media consumption for kids between 2 to 12 will be around 1-2 hours of media a day. It is also discouraged to allow kids under 2 years old to consume screen time as it would become a habit that would be harder to break. Also, take the time to give a grace period in the context of family time such as a family movie date night for instance.
