Media and the Family: Best Friends? or Worst Enemies?
Think back to your childhood, what was your families relationship with media?
Was your TV in the main room? Were there restrictions to when kids could download certain apps? How did your family talk about media?
Personally my family had a conservative relationship with media. We had a TV room, and we could only download instagram once we were old enough.
What is the most healthy though?
My belief is that media can really help a family be unified and have fun! At the same time, Video Games or Sports channels can take up too much time. I feel it is best if parents talk about what they want to focus on with their families. If the children are old enough, including them in the conversation could be helpful. The important part is that the way media is used is a choice, not an accident.
What do you think?
What's healthy in your opinion?
I think your point of media being used as a choice is so good. I totally agree that media can contribute to fun bonding activities or traditions, but it can also be used as a distraction. I think media is best used when it is intentional.
ReplyDeleteI remember I had a companion that said she was never going to have a tv in her home. I thought she was absolutely crazy. Then I realized I might be the one with the problem. I grew up and there was a tv in every room except the office and the kids rooms. I have never had a tv in my room until I got married, and now we turn it on the fall asleep to every night. Isn't that wild?!
ReplyDeleteI think that it definitely depends on the child but for the most part when they do have media, making it an open topic and a social family thing rather than a solo thing is a good way to go.
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