Limit your children’s exposure to media violence
It is essential to be aware of the violence that exists in the media to limit the exhibition of children to it.
Currently and unfortunately, we find that violence is everywhere and where it is most seen and children are exposed is through the media. With new technologies, it is quite difficult to filter all the content that children and adolescents are exposed to every day. You cannot put your children in a bubble so it is more than likely that they will be exposed sooner or later to violent content.
Parents need to know how much violent content their children are exposed to: news, video games , etc. Violent content in the media (movies, shows, etc.) affects children and is a risk factor for aggression, reduced empathy, increased conflict and confrontational behavior, and other antisocial behaviors in some children.
So what can you do to protect your children from violence and sex in the media? Here are some strategies for selecting the media content your child is exposed to … and thereby limiting negative consequences on his life and development.
Index
FIND OUT BEFORE EXPOSING YOUR CHILD
If your child wants to see a new television show, if he wants to play a new video game or watch a movie, it will be necessary that you first inform yourself through Internet forums or by other parents, about whether that particular content is too violent to let your kids see it. You should also evaluate if it really is suitable for your child’s age and ability. Because if not, you will not be able to choose to see it. Read the reviews to carefully analyze that content and make the most appropriate decisions for your children. Even though they may be angry now, you are doing them a huge favor in the short and long term.
TALK TO OTHER PARENTS
Other parents with school-age children can be excellent sources of information on media violence and explicit content. They have likely wrestled with the same decisions about whether or not to let their children watch a particular movie or TV show or play a popular video game. You can exchange information and advice, and get the latest information about children.
TEACH YOUR CHILD TO DEAL WITH PEER PRESSURE
The social pressure or classmates or friends of your child may have great power over him and his behavior. Not all parents think like you and perhaps something that for you is absolutely inappropriate for your child, for other parents, it does not seem so bad that their children can consume that content even if it is violent.
The most important thing is that parents respect different opinions and see individual choices as just that: individuals. Refrain from judging other parents for their preferences for their children and ask them to do the same. If your child feels peer pressure, try to find other activities that they can do with their friends that don’t include screens .
Cutting screen time is beneficial for children because they sleep better, have better grades, and are less likely to become obese in the future. Limiting technology in general, reading together, going to the park … they will always be better ideas than allowing your children to spend too much time in front of a screen.
CUSTOMIZE THE OPTIONS FOR YOUR CHILD
If your child is the type of child who has nightmares after seeing something violent or scary, you will want to avoid all kinds of this content, even if it is classified as suitable for your child’s age. You must use your instinct to know what things can be good or bad for your child and act on that. Talk to your child about the content so they know that it is not forbidden, there are simply things that children should not see because they are small and can hurt their emotions.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.