Kids' Media Habits

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 02-Jun-2008 edition

 

Kids’ Media Habits

By Dr Bill Maier

 

When I was a child, being sent to your room was a punishment.

But today, many parents can’t get their children to leave

their rooms. Children’s bedrooms have become their media hubs.

Children have televisions, video games and even computers

connected to the Internet in their rooms.

 

But what really concerns me is a recent study showing that

only half the children say they have parental rules regarding

their TV viewing. And about 40 per cent have no rules regarding

their Internet usage.

 

I’m all for giving children plenty of freedom as they grow,

but this is a dangerous trend. Television isn’t as innocent

as it used to be, and we all know how much bad stuff is available

in cyberspace.

 

As parents, we need to be aware of what our children are

watching – today more than ever.