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Parent Tip of the Week: Protecting Children from the Media

Parents can protect children from the potential negative effects of inappropriate media. Talk with your children about television, movies and computer games:

1. In addition to limiting your children’s exposure to inappropriate media, let them know that what they see on TV, in videos and in computer games is not real; it is fantasy, make-believe. The guns, knives and bullets they see on TV are not real (except in news reports).

2. Discuss the consequences of real violence:

Real-life violence causes injuries, bruises and pain.
Real-life violence can make people lose friends and feel bad.
Real-life violence can make people afraid, angry and upset.
Real guns and knives can hurt and kill people.

3. Have a discussion with your child about heroes, good guys and bad guys. Ask questions like:

Who are the bad guys on TV? What do they do? Why do they kill and hurt people?
Who are the good guys or heroes on TV? What do they do?
Who are the good guys or heroes in your family or neighborhood?
What do they do? How are they different from those on TV?

Talk about what true heroes are: people who are courageous, brave and do good things to help others. They do not use violence to solve problems.

Have a tip you want to share? E-mail Frances Platt at PlattF@mhawestchester.org with your Parent Tip of the Week!

This material has been adapted by MHA from materials of the ACT (Adults and Children Together Against Violence) program developed by the American Psychological Association (APA), a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States.

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