2 Responses to “SWC Poll 1: Is the media a negative influence on children? Yes or No?”

1. Kory Says:
   November 27th, 2007 at 7:42 am

   Media can provide very positive influences for children!!!

   While it is true that the media does heavily cover stories that are negative or stress the evils present in society, it can be an extraordinary opportunity for your child to learn. Just as you would not let your 6 year old sit and watch an “R” rated movie, as a parent you need to monitor what your child is watching. If you are watching the news with your child, it provides an opportunity for your child to ask questions on topics they don’t understand or have misinterpreted.
   Example news story: A man is convicted and sent to prison for child molestation. To a young child the explanation that prison is “time out” for grown ups when they have broken rules or done bad things, brings to light that rules are important and breaking them has consequences even for adults. It also provides an opportunity to talk about inappropriate touching and what your child can do if it ever happens. Knowledge is indeed power. If they know what to do and feel safe telling a grown up what has happened should they find themselves in this unfortunate situation, they will be better equipped to survive this traumatic event. They will know that the grown up will be taken away and they will be made safe by the system that they have grown to understand through the media story. A child who does not have this understanding may not know that a grown up has done wrong, what will happen to the grown up who molested them or what will happen to them if they tell someone.
   Preparing children for real life events is a parent’s responsibility. If they are sheltered from reality it can be detrimental to them. Take the time to sit with your child during the news and you may be amazed at their innocent insight and profound interest in understanding.

2. Robert Newberry Says:
   December 6th, 2007 at 12:36 pm

   I appreciate Kory’s post. It clearly states several elements of raising winning and achieving children I have found to be so important:

   • Filter what your child is exposed to but don’t be unrealistically protective
   • Be proactive in teaching your child what you know is important and be willing to take the time to do so
   • Interpreting for your child what he or she is exposed to offers a great opportunity to teach

   In addition to teaching your child about safety and the implications of right and wrong, the media also offers opportunities to teach your child about excelling and achieving. With the help of the Nine Winning Practices Model as a frame of reference, I use the various characters that children encounter in their lives, whether it is the media, at school, in books or movies, to teach children about the connections between behavior, attitude and results. It is a very child friendly and easy way to teach that uses, rather than avoids, much of what goes on around you and your child.

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