Studies have found that violent and obscene programming, including cartoons, have a significant negative impact upon children especially those with violence and indecency.
Violent ones can:
1. Make your child become insensitize towards violent acts.
2. Create nightmares and increase a child's fearfulness.
3. Encourage aggressive behavior.
4. Undermine imaginative and cooperative play with peers.
5. Encourage the acceptance of gang behavior.
Obscene ones can make your child easily prone to developing unwanted sexual pleasures beginning from an early age.
We know that watching TV is not entirely bad for your kids because there are a wide range of good programs that not only broaden children's use of vocabulary but exposes them to a wider world of creativity. However, those can be learnt from watching specific TV programs.
So, what steps should you take to protect your child?
1. Be a positive example. Let your children see you watching informative, non provacative, educative and entertaining programmes. Take away obscene and violent programmes from your TV timeline.
2. Check your child’s developmental level and encourage the selection of worthwhile programs. Decide with them which programs to watch.
3. Always be apt to comment when you agree or disagree with the values portrayed by the actors.
4. Watch television with your child. Explain the difference between fact and fiction. If any violence or obscenity occurs, comment that although the actors are pretending to be hurt and/or derive unusual pleasure, such violent and obscene acts in real life result in pain, immorality and suffering. Discuss ways to deal with problems other than by hurting people.
5. Turn the television and other objectionable media off when the material is contradictory to your family values. Explain to your child why you disapprove. Consider using a television lockout device to prevent exposure to “adult” programming. If possible, play soft music or practice silence during family meals that contribute to friendly conversation. Furnish a calm place where your child can relax or read.
6. I insist that you should resist the temptation to put a television in your child’s room. Instead locate it where viewing can be monitored. If your family is on the internet, keep the computer in a central location.
7. Encourage your child to become involved in activities. Foster participation in hobbies, imaginative play, music, art, crafts, gardening, household tasks, yard work, cooking, and other worthwhile projects. Invite your child’s friends to play at your home or apartment. Do more reading, walking, talking, listening, and playing together. Get your child involved in programs that promote healthy development like sports, scouts, clubs, dance, camps, and/or religious groups.
8. Be an advocate for quality television programming. Join forces with other parents and teachers to set television viewing guidelines.
Thanks to Leah Davies for giving us permission to publish and for being friends with us here at The Learning Craft
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