The media has a lot to answer for in our modern world because its influence is most pervasive in our lives. For example, it seems that teens spend more than 38 hours per week being engrossed in it, which is almost four times as much as the average time they spend doing their schoolwork.
Being exposed to it from an early age, in the form of television, radio, advertising, product promotion and the Internet, the effects can be clearly seen on many teens who often find themselves alone after school with just the television for company, for example. It is thus tempting to spend as much time watching it , downloading music or playing video games, rather than doing their homework or more useful activities.
There seems to be three main effects of the media on youngsters:
A. Being exposed to adult content before they are mature enough to appreciate it. Television programs, and some video games, seem to have sexually explicit content and violence as a matter of routine because of the tacit belief that "sex and violence sex sells." However, repeated exposure to violent content can have negative repercussions, as the daily news reminds us with alarming clarity whenever someone acts out what they have read or seen.
B. Being engaged by it in such a way that it distracts them from other important activities, like their education and leisure pursuits. The problem is that, once teens fall behind in their academic skills, it will be more difficult for them to catch up. This could have long-term implications for them and society, especially when more qualified people will be needed for even more advanced jobs in the future and there won't be enough professionals available.
C. Being exposed to so much of it that it becomes a substitute for other essential activities like having exercises and eating healthy foods. In time it gradually affects their well being. Not surprisingly, there as been a marked increase in teen obesity, school violence (as children copy what they see in games and TV), poor reading and maths skills, while reading just for leisure seems a thing of the past!
In order for parents to combat media influence on their teens, it has to be accepted that the media in its present form will not be going away. It is here to stay. So how can parents fight the more negative effects of it, or protect their children from being influenced? There are several ways but the following main ones should be useful.
1. Encourage your teen to do all the important tasks first before they do any media activity. They could also establish a regular study time each day so that it becomes routine. In that way they get used to getting on with their work, whether you are there to supervise or not, and to complete it before they play.
2. If they need a rest between school and homework, then suggesting that they play for a set time before their work, then finish their work before they do their own stuff again, would probably be a more workable compromise, and one they might think is more reasonable.
3. Limit television watching. Television is a passive activity. It does not encourage teens to do healthy activities which serve them better. Discuss TV access with your teen and allow a certain number of hours each week when their favourite programs are on. However, the content of those programs need to be vetted to ensure they are appropriate.
4. Monitor, and reduce, computer usage to a certain amount of time each day. Make sure you already have restricted access set on it for questionable websites. One way of reducing time on a computer is to have it placed publicly, like in a sitting room or lounge, where it can be seen by everyone rather than in the teen's room. In that way, it is easy to assess how it is being used.
5. Limit video games in the home. In fact, if they are restricted to the arcade or other public places, it could be part of an arrangement. For example, if you are happy with their performance for the week, they could have a treat at the weekend to play a couple of games. But they should not be too easily accessible too often.
6.Gradually substitute additional leisure activities in the teen's life, especially ones you too can share with them, like taking a walk together, reading a book with them or to them, playing some board games with them, encouraging them to find a hobby and develop their interests or simply turning off the TV and having a good chat together.
Parents can never limit everything their teen does, but by helping them to set specific routines for other activities, and setting time aside for other leisure and educational pursuits, you can filter out some of the less savoury aspects of what your teen is exposed to in the media, while educating them in how to be selective with it in order to get the most from it in the most wholesome and enjoyable ways.