What a difference a decade makes: Increases in Objectionable Television content

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Parenting in a Media Filled WorldBalancing
Christ-centered character development with mass
media influences
Presented by Delton McGuire M.A. Communication
www.parentingandmedia.com
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Character and ConductE. M. BoundsConduct is
what we do. Character is what we are.Conduct is
the outward life character is the life unseen,
hidden wisdom, yet evidenced by that which is
seen.Conduct is external, seen from without
character is internal operating
withinCharacter is the state of the heart,
conduct is its outward expression.Character is
the root of the tree, conduct, the fruit it
bears.
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Psalm 119 9-16

• How can a young man keep his way pure?
• By keeping it according to Your word.
• With all my heart I have sought You Do not let
  me wander from Your commandments.
• Your word I have treasured in my heart.
• That I may not sin against You.
• Blessed are You, O Lord Teach me Your statutes.
• With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of
  Your mouth.
• I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
  As much as in all riches.
• I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your
  ways.
• I shall delight in Your statutes I shall not
  forget Your word.

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What are you missing? In a average U. S. home,
television is on for 7 hrs, 40 minutes. The
average American watches over 4 hours of
television per day. Forty percent of Americans
always or often watch television while eating
dinner. Fifty-six percent of children ages 8-16
have a TV in their bedrooms. Seventy percent of
day care centers use TV during a typical day.
The average American youth spends 900 hours in
school and1,023 hours watching television.
Fifty-five percent of young adults admit to
postponing their bedtimes for the Internet or TV.
The average American sees 2 million TV
commercials by age 55. Fifty-four percent of
4-6 year olds, when asked, would rather watch TV
than spend time with their fathers.
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a vast wasteland

• Newton Minow
• Director of the
• Federal Communications Commission
• 1961 inaugural address

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• Or... Just a toaster with pictures?
• Mark Fowler
• Director of the Federal Communications
  Commission-1981 inaugural address and subsequent
  comments

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Newton Minow40 years later (2001)

• In 1961, I worried that my children would not
  benefit much from television. But now I worry
  that my grandchildren will actually be harmed by
  it.

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TV Facts

• 1950- 10 of homes had TVs
• 1960-90
• 2005-99
• More common than telephones and toilets
• 54-56 of children have TVs in their bedrooms.
  Results of correlation studies are

Proverbs 133 (ESV) Whoever guards his mouth
preserves his life he who opens wide his lips
comes to ruin.
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More TV Facts

• Average child spends 28 hours a week watching TV.
• Most common way of children learning about life.
• Average child (before 18) views 200,000 acts of
  violence including 16,000 murders.

Proverbs 220 (ESV) you will walk in the way of
the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
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More TV Facts

• 994 of each 1,000 studies directly link violence
  in children with viewing of violence in mass
  media.
• Homicide rates in undeveloped areas have doubles
  after TV was introduced.

Psalm 3727 (ESV) Turn away from evil and do
good so shall you dwell forever.
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Why are we often apathetic concerning television?

• Perhaps many adults are quick to dismiss the
  influence of television
• because they do not want to admit
• that they, too, have been influenced by it.

Victor C. Strasburger, M.D. Chief, Division of
Adolescent Medicine University of New Mexico
School of Medicine
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Television ViolenceHow children are affected...
Direct Effects Increased aggressive
behavior Increased willingness to use violence
Ephesians 431 (ESV) Let all bitterness and wrath
and anger and clamor and slander be put away from
you, along with all malice.
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Television ViolenceHow children are affected...
Desensitization Increased acceptance of
violence as normal
Hebrews 1024 (ESV) And let us consider how to
stir up one another to love and good works,
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Television ViolenceHow children are affected...
Mean World Syndrome Increased fearfulness. Increas
ed belief that the world is as dangerous as the
television world.
Revelation 22 (ESV) "'I know your works, your
toil and your patient endurance, and how you
cannot bear with those who are evil, but have
tested those who call themselves apostles and
are not, and found them to be false.
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Protecting your child from excessive television
violence

• Pay attention to the programs your children
  watch. Watch some of them with them.

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Protecting your child from excessive television
violence

• Set limits on the amount of time they spend with
  the television.

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Protecting your child from excessive television
violence

• Point out that although the actor has not
  actually been hurt or killed, such violence in
  real life results in pain or death.

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Protecting your child from excessive television
violence

• Refuse to let the children see shows known to be
  violent, change the channel or turn off the TV
  when something offensive comes on, with an
  explanation of what is wrong with the program.

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Protecting your child from excessive television
violence

• Disapprove of violent episodes in front of the
  children, stressing the belief that such behavior
  is not the best way to resolve a problem.

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Protecting your child from excessive television
violence

• To offset peer pressure among friends and
  classmates, contact other parents and agree to
  enforce similar rules about the length of time
  and type of program the children may watch.

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Twelve Tips to Tame the Tube

• Avoid using the TV as a Babysitter
• Know what your children are watching
• Keep TV out of your kids bedrooms
• Set some guidelines about when and what they
  watch.

Mark 1014 (ESV) But when Jesus saw it, he was
indignant and said to them, "Let the children
come to me do not hinder them, for to such
belongs the kingdom of God.
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Twelve Tips to Tame the Tube

• Practice Appointment TV. Decide in advance
  whats good to watch and watch it as a family.
• Talk to your child about what he or she is
  watching.
• Turn TV off during meals.
• Use the VCR/DVD to your advantage.

Colossians 110 (ESV) so as to walk in a manner
worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him,
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing
in the knowledge of God.
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Twelve Tips to Tame the Tube

• Put the family on a TV diet.
• Create a TV coupon system.
• Dont make TV the focal point of the room.
• Patronize good programs and demand more of them.

Ephesians 62 (ESV) "Honor your father and
mother" (this is the first commandment with a
promise),
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TV Parental Guidelines

• TV-Y - TV-Y7 - TV-G
• TV-PG (V), (S), (L), (D)
• TV-14 (V), (S), (L), (D)
• TV-MA (V), (S), (L)

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Cable Networks Top 11 Last Week

• 1 CLOSER, THE
• 2 NEXTEL CUP RACING/DAYTONA
• 3 WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW)
• 4 WWE ENTERTAINMENT (WWE RAW)
• 5 BOURNE SUPREMACY, THE(S)-07/08/2007
• 6 CORY IN THE HOUSE
• 7 ARMY WIVES
• 8 BURN NOTICE
• 9 HANNAH MONTANA
• 10 SUITE LIFE OF ZACK CODY
• 11 SPONGEBOB

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Broadcast Networks Top 11 Last Week

• CSI
• CSI MIAMI
• TWO AND A HALF 
• 60 MINUTES
• SMARTER THAN A 5TH  GRADER
• NCIS 
• SMARTER THAN 5TH GRADER
• WITHOUT A TRACE
• HOURS MYSTERY
• BIG BROTHER 8
• HELL'S KITCHEN

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What Are Your Children Watching? Rating the Top
20 Most Popular Prime Time Broadcast TV Shows
Watched by Children Ages 2-17  The following
listing is based on a Nielsen ranking of prime
time broadcast programs most watched by children
between the ages of 2-17 for the 2005-2006
television season and the first part of the
2006-2007 television season.  Only recurring or
series programs were included.  Each series has
been evaluated for its appropriateness for
children under the age of 18 based on a
comprehensive review of the content on each of
these programs.  
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20. American Inventor ABC19. Grey's
Anatomy18. Prison Break17. Biggest Loser
---------16. Lost ABC
Deuteronomy 516 (ESV) "'Honor your father and
your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you,
that your days may be long, and that it may go
well with you in the land that the LORD your God
is giving you.
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15. C.S.I. 14. So You Think You Can Dance
------------------13. America's Got
Talent --------12. Desperate Housewives11.
Dancing with the Stars
Deuteronomy 2716 (ESV) "'Cursed be anyone who
dishonors his father or his mother.' And all the
people shall say, 'Amen.'
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10. House9. Deal or No Deal 8. The War at
Home7. NBC Sunday Night Football 6.
Family Guy
Proverbs 1320 (ESV) Whoever walks with the wise
becomes wise,   but the companion of fools will
suffer harm.
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5. American Dad4. Extreme Makeover Home
Edition3. The Simpsons ----2. Survivor
-------- 1. American Idol
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A warning concerning movie video ratings!
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What our children are listening to.

• The following section (not shown here) includes a
  review of the top 10 songs in the nation, most,
  quite vulger, along with evidence that most of
  our children listen to them and are familiar with
  them. A content analysis of the lyrics is made
  with an always present curse word and sexual
  innuendo list within the content. This is usually
  a very shocking and enlightening.

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• What about
• MTV?

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MTV Facts

• Virtually non-stop ads. Ads to sell product and
  music to sell music.
• The average American teenage boy watches MTV over
  6.6 hours per week while the average teenage girl
  6.2 hours.
• 73 of all teenage boys and 78 of all teenage
  girls watch MTV regularly.
• It is the most recognized network for teens

Proverbs 2123 (ESV) Whoever keeps his mouth and
his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
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MTV Facts

• A full fourth of all programming on MTV contains
  alcohol or tobacco use.
• Studies indicate a positive correlation between
  watching MTV and alcohol and tobacco consumption
  in teens.

Ecclesiastes 918 (ESV) Wisdom is better than
weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
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MTV Facts

• Music videos often portray violence.
• Desensitization toward violence is increased
  because of the attachment with music.
• Numerous studies indicate a correlation and
  causation between watching MTV and more
  permissive attitudes about sex.

Psalm 3413 (ESV) Keep your tongue from evil and
your lips from speaking deceit.
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Five Core Concepts about MediaAll Media are
Constructions

• Media are carefully manufactured cultural
  products.
• Media create an an emotional experience that
  looks like reality, but is the creation of a
  person or persons.
• Media are not real, but affect people in real
  ways because we take and make meanings from what
  we see, hear, and read.

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Five Core Concepts about MediaMedia use unique
languages

• Media language is unique to each form of
  communication.
• The language works because it is used over and
  over.
• Understanding how this is being used increases
  our appreciation and enjoyment of the media.

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Five Core Concepts about MediaAudiences
negotiate meaning

• No two people see or hear the same thing.
• Parents and children do not see the same TV show.
• We constantly try to make sense of what we see,
  hear, and read.
• Media literacy helps us be conscious and
  deliberate about what we experience and interpret
  the media.

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Five Core Concepts about MediaMedia have
commercial interests

• Media are ad-driven businesses.
• TV programs dont exist to entertain us.
• TV programs exist to ensure that an audience will
  be watching when the commercials appear.
• Advertisers want specific audiences watching
  specific programs and commercials.

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Five Core Concepts about MediaMedia have
embedded values and points of view

• By their nature of being a construction of a
  person or persons, media carry a subtext of what
  is important to the originator.
• There are no value free media and never will be.
• Effort is needed to read media critically to
  uncover these messages.
• Only then can we reject or accept the message.

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• What about
• video games?

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• Joint Study
• AS MENTIONED THIS MORNING

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Video Game Positives

• Video game playing introduces children to
  computer technology.
• Games can give practice in following directions.
• Some games provide practice in problem solving
  and logic.
• Games can provide practice in use of fine motor
  and spatial skills.

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..
Video Game Positives

• Games can provide occasions for adult and child
  to play together.
• Players are introduced to information technology.
• Some games have therapeutic applications with
  patients.
• Games are entertaining.

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Questions to Ask Concerning Content of Video
Games

• Is the violence rewarded or punished?
• What are the consequences?
• How graphic is the violence?
• Is the violence against humans or inanimate
  objects?
• Is the violence sexual?

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Reasons children give for playing video games

• It's fun
• Like to feel in control
• Releases tension
• Relieves boredom
• Develops gaming skills
• Feel a sense of mastery

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Bottom line

• Many video games are fun and appropriate.
• Violent video games may be linked to an increase
  in aggressive behavior.
• There are many questions about the cumulative
  effect of video games, computers, and television.
  
• Parents are urged to monitor video game play the
  same way they need to monitor television.

Acts 2416 (ESV) So I always take pains to have a
clear conscience toward both God and man.
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What to look for in choosing a game

• Look for a game that requires the player to come
  up with strategies, and make decisions in a game
  environment that is more complex than punch, run,
  jump.
• AVOID the "first person shooter", killing-machine
  games.
• Look for games involving multiple players to
  encourage group play.

Luke 635 (ESV) But love your enemies, and do
good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and
your reward will be great, and you will be sons
of the Most High, for he is kind to the
ungrateful and the evil.
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Tips for Parents

• LIMIT game playing time.
• CHECK the rating.
• LOOK at what others say.
• AVOID first-person shooter games.
• KEEP it out of the bedroom.
• PLAY the game with your child.

Galatians 610 (ESV) So then, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and
especially to those who are of the household of
faith.
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Tips for Parents

• TALK about the content of the games. Ask your
  child what's going on in the game.
• EXPLAIN if and why you disapprove of something in
  the game.
• ENCOURAGE your child to do something different.
  Like outdoors.

1 Timothy 412 (ESV) Let no one despise you for
your youth, but set the believers an example in
speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
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The Internet

• Not governed by a government or private entity.
  No checks or limits!
• Worlds Largest Adult Bookstore
• In your living room, office or childs room!
• Moral issues and safety issues become quickly
  apparent.

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Dangers of the Internet

• Children may inadvertently link to places they
  and you do not want them to go.
• Chat rooms are often used by sexual predators.
• Children are targeted with games and prizes
  requiring them to give out family information.
• Some commercial sites look like informational or
  educational sites, but are there to sell you or
  your child a product. Remember, nothing is
  really free, even on the world wide web.

2 Timothy 315 (ESV) and how from childhood you
have been acquainted with the sacred writings,
which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
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Internet Filters

• Good for younger children
• Increasingly effective

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What to teach your child about The Internet

• Never give out personal info about them or your
  family.
• Tell you if something makes them uncomfortable.
• Never agree to meet someone without coordinating
  it with your parents.
• Never send a picture or anything else without
  consulting parents.

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What to teach your child about The Internet
(cont.)

• Do not respond to messages that make you feel
  uncomfortable.
• Talk to your parents about safety issues.
• Parents need to set limits of times, place, and
  areas to visit.
• Never ever give anyone a password, even best
  friends.
• Abide by the law.

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What about MySpace.com
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Checking on your child?

• Remember, the record of all you have ever looked
  at, read, or asked for is recorded somewhere.
• At the first level, on your computer.

Titus 27 (ESV) Show yourself in all respects to
be a model of good works, and in your teaching
show integrity, dignity,
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Stages of Moral Development

• I. Preconventional (childish)
• Egocentric
• Punishment and Reward
• II. Conventional (worldly)
• What makes me and mine happy?
• What keeps me out of trouble?
• III. Principled (Christian ideals)
• What would a moral, right thinking person do or
  think?
• Right is a conscience decision of personal ethics
  that appeal to logic, morality, and consistency.

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Proverbs 22 6

• Train up a child in the way he should go,
• Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

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• The End
• Thank you for being concerned about children and
  the influence of mass media!