Access to news programs should depend on age of the child
By Staff
Michelle Blaylock, Mom’s Corner
I had a parent comment about last week’s article. She said that although she screens television programs, she didn’t know what to do about the news. She was torn between protecting her children and knowing that they still need to be aware of the “real” world. She asked what I did.
We do watch the news in our home. In fact, on school mornings it is all I allow on the TV so my children don’t “zone” in on the TV and forget to get ready for school. I think what is valuable about the news is that it’s real. It’s not fiction. Oh, it can still be biased, but it is nonetheless true. The question becomes, “How do I explain the events on the news to my children?”
Of course, how something is explained to a child depends on the age and temperament of the child. For example, when it comes to school shootings. My older children are taught what to do and how to stay safe, just in case a teacher is not right there to give direction. For my younger children I try to reassure them that their teachers will be there and they should do exactly what they’ve been told to do at school. I also remind them of the safety precautions at their school.
The extremely hard question children ask is, “Why?” “Why did someone do that awful thing?” Actually, that came up this week. One of my children asked, “Why did that father throw his children off the bridge?” I don’t believe in lying to my children. I answered truthfully, “I don’t know, sweetheart.”
When the shooting happened at Virginia Tech, one of my children asked why Seung-Hui Cho shot those people. I explained that for some reason he was a very angry man, who probably had lots of other problems and needed help. I told them it was very sad that he didn’t get the help he needed. I also explained some people did try to help him, but that he would not accept their help.
I have to admit at times I do screen the news. For instance, the time there was the big scandal about how the Iraqi prisoners had been treated and the news kept showing those awful pictures. The first time I yelled “close your eyes.” When I realized it was going to be on the news repeatedly, I finally just shut the TV off when the kids were in the room.
I also use news reports as an educational tool. For example, when there are news reports of children being abducted, I make a point of discussing what happened. We discuss what the abducted child maybe could have done different to help himself or herself stay safe. The activities of the rich and famous are great for pointing out things not to do. Their lives often show how drugs can take a wonderful life and turn it upside down.
One problem young children tend to have with news reports is they may not understand where the event took place. I overheard one mother who was trying to comfort her daughter, because the daughter was afraid a tsunami might “get her” here. A world map or a globe would have been very helpful to that mother.
Another thing I think is a good idea is to point out happy things that are reported. I feel those are often overlooked. It is important for our children to know there are also many good and kind people in our world.
I think it is important for a parent to actually spend time watching the news with their children so that they know what their children have heard and can help their children deal with it in an age appropriate way. If you have a question or comment for Mom’s Corner, please e-mail it to moms-corner@juno.com.
