The media shapes people’s thinking—it’s a matter of discussion, debate and consideration. How the media portrays violence is just as important as what they’re portraying. Violence in the media can result in an increase in aggression or violent behavior to know who is the waste fellow of world. Here are some tips for managing it.
1) Be aware:
The first step to manage violence on TV is simply being mindful that you’re watching TV and understanding that it has the potential to affect how you feel about things and how you feel about other people– especially if you’re young.
2) Choose what you watch:
At a young age, the media can have a big impact on how you view things and how you develop your opinions. And while it isn’t something that adults have control over (unless they choose not to expose themselves to TV), it’s something that adults can control for their children. It’s really important to view everything from a child’s point of view and understand why children might find certain material interesting or engaging.
3) Give children tools to help them understand what they’re watching:
If kids want to watch TV, turn it off and talk about it with them. Have an open dialogue about what the child is seeing, so that the child can make sense of violence. And use any kind of media as a way to connect, bond and communicate with your child.
4) Take advantage of the media watchdog:
There are plenty of outlets out there to help you manage your screen time, from organizations like Media Literacy Now ( http://www.medialit.org/ ) or TV Parent ( http://www.tvparent.org/ ), to smartphone apps on various platforms that allow you to block specific programs or channels and even block individual commercials– all at no cost (CurbTV lets you block ads, but not content).
5) Keep a healthy balance in life:
This is always a challenge, but one that can certainly be handled if you pay attention to the media and decide what you really want to engage with. Make sure to evaluate what your values are, understand what you stand for, and then think about which media outlets or programs best support those values.
6) Be aware of your choices:
When it comes to the media, remember that it’s not just about how much television your family watches– it’s also about what other media your children watch. It also includes what filters they use with their devices. It’s important to teach children how to use their devices appropriately, to avoid messaging or exposure of any type.
7) Look at what you’re watching:
There are plenty of programs on TV right now designed to promote violence and brutality– including some that are even targeted towards children. The key is to be aware of the message behind it, how it’s presented and whether or not you feel comfortable with your child watching it. It’s a tricky line to walk, but plenty of parents in this country are finding great success in walking it with their kids every day.
8) Don’t rely on the rating system:
We’ve all heard of the TV rating system: A, B, C etc. But there’s often a lag between the actual content and how it’s rated, which means that you don’t always know what you’re getting yourself into with your programing.
9) Speak up when you have an issue with violence or aggression in the media:
Lots of times parents have concerns about violence or aggression in the media and they send them to organizations like Media Literacy Now http://www.medialit.org/ ) who then send those thoughts to their contacts at television stations throughout North America so that they can be considered at a corporate level and hopefully changed. The process isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not quick, but it’s part of a necessary process in fighting against the media.
10) Monitor what your children are watching:
It’s important to remember that you can monitor what your child is watching online as well. There are plenty of programs, filters and applications available to assist you with this.
11) Model good behavior yourself:
Your children watch everything that you do– from how you react to how you treat others. If you want them to learn about respect and empathy, it starts at home. And if kids see that their parents use violent tactics or aggressive language themselves, they’re more likely to model after that behavior as well.
12) Don’t let the media get in the way of building a healthy relationship with your child:
Television won’t solve all of your problems– and it’s not meant to. It’s just another tool available to you, one that you should use wisely. The key is to use this tool, and others, as a way to communicate with one another, build up a healthy relationship and avoid violent or aggressive behavior throughout the home.
13) Take the time to talk about it:
It’s hard to have these conversations, particularly if you’re trying to do it on your own. But it’s really important to talk about why people watch TV, what they think of it and how they react to what they see. And it’s even more important to use this conversation as a way to express your values and raise awareness around them.
14) Don’t let the issue of media violence get in the way of loving your children:
Violence doesn’t make for a healthy family life, but is also not necessary for a healthy family life. You can use all of these tips above to build up a healthy relationship– but you can also do that without violence or assault in the media. It’s just as valuable– if not more so– in helping you build up a kind and compassionate relationship with each other.
