Monitoring Children’s TV Viewing
Tips for Sanctioning Kids’ Television Programming
With all the promiscuity, violence, and nudity on TV, parents need to carefully monitor their children's TV viewing. Here are some tips.....
Parents have an exceptionally hard job monitoring television programs for their children with all the profanity, promiscuity, and violence flooding the airwaves. What was once considered X-rated, reserved for after hours when children were in bed asleep, is now flaunted 24/7.
What Can Parents Do?
Purge your house of TVs?. Okay, that's probably a little extreme. Granted, you can't be an ostrich, hiding yourself in the sand. There are some excellent television programs, which not only educate young people, but also instill values. However, because television, as a general rule, does not promote family values, parents need to monitor their children's television viewing.
Issue TV Tickets
Dr. James Dobson of “Focus on the Family” suggests issuing children TV tickets where they receive 10 tickets each week, buying them the privilege of watching parental-approved TV programs. “When the tickets are gone, television viewing is over for that week,” Dr. Dobson explains on his website. He goes on to note that a maximum of 10 viewing hours per week might be enough to start, which compares to the national average of 40 to 50 hours per week (which he contends is far too much TV for an elementary school child.)
Use Family Safe Media Equipment
Parents can invest in a variety of "family safe media" equipment. There are a number of devices, which monitor television programs. To find what’s best for your family, just do an internet search and you’ll find web sites explaining their products. If you're concerned about the content on DVD movies, then check out the various DVD players which filter out not only profanity, but violence, nudity, and other scenes not fit for children.
Don't Allow TVs in Bedrooms
Even if your children earn enough money to buy their own television sets, don't allow them to set up TVs in their bedrooms. It may be their bedrooms, but you are still the one who pays the rent (or mortgage). Also, limit the number of TV sets in your home. In fact, when you're raising your children, it's wise to have only one TV that can be in full view such as in a living room or family room.
Talk to Your Kids
Chances are, there will be times when you're watching television with your children and an inappropriate scene or commercial will (without warning) flash across the scene that's not suited for them. Use this as an opportunity to talk about values. First, let your children be clear on the family values you expect for them. Then, explain that what you see on TV is not necessarily, how you're supposed to conduct yourself. Parents should explain how their values don’t necessarily match what is on television.
Establish Family Fun Nights
Rather than just vegetate in front of the TV, set aside regular family nights where you and your children have fun interacting together. For example, you could have a “Game Night” where you spend an evening playing family board games. Or, have a night where your family spends time reading selected books and then discussing what was read. The goal is to just get away from the TV and get to know one another.
Set a Good Example
Finally, be sure to set a good example yourself. In other words, don't let your children catch you watching programs that don't share your family values. Instead, let them catch you doing something meaningful such as watch an educational program, read a good book or learn a new craft. Remember that your children are always watching you and often copy what you do.
