I Want to Teach My Child About Media- A Book Review
“What you will find in these pages is lots of practical information and tips on positive ways your kids can use media, including computers, the Internet, television, music, movies, newspapers, and video games. You’ll also discover tips for teaching your kids how to be discerning media consumers, because, at some point, they’ll be making media decisions on their own “(Morello, 2005, p. 4).
Media includes print, film, music, and all forms of technology. The essence of Morello’s philosophy of parenting the issue of media and technology is to be involved with your child in the process. Get on the Internet together, watch movies and television, listen to music together, and take the opportunity to push the pause button to discuss how the messages of these various media outlets align with your worldview. In the process, help your children become informed consumers and critical thinkers.
This type of interaction can be used to teach many lessons. Morello states: “Media is an omnipresent force in kids’ young lives. In order for them to make wise decisions about what they hear, we must teach them to evaluate the messages and discern the truth” (p. 24). She suggests, for example, with regards to printed or reported news, to teach through demonstration how images can be altered and news reporting, bias or misleading.
She also gives ideas for creative activities for parent-child interaction related to different forms of media, with resources and links for online games and virtual encounters. In addition, she provides information for Internet security and software to protect your children from harmful Internet activities. Morello offers suggestions for interacting with preschoolers through teens on current issues, and applies scripture to false assumptions often made through media outlets.
This little book is one of six in the I Want to Teach My Child About… series. Although it was published more than a decade ago, the principles and lessons for parents to teach their children are still relevant and important to adopt. I am able to use this book to provide practical and spiritual support on these topics for our school parents. You can pick this book up on Amazon for little more than the shipping-well worth the cost and effort to read.
Please share with me how this book has helped guide your family media decisions. Or comment below if you have read other books in the series.
2 thoughts on “I Want to Teach My Child About Media”
Just recently my kids were watching a show on Netflix. I didn’t like the way the siblings on the tv show were talking to one another, and I made my children pause the show so that we could talk about it. I realized in that moment that I need to do more of this. It takes more time, more awareness, and it’s certainly not convenient. However, this is the way they will learn to discern between the ways of the world and godliness. It’s hard work and my selfishness is always getting in the way, but this was a good reminder for me to continue to minister to my children about media. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this example of a meaningful interaction with your children. You are right-it does take time and requires that we lay aside our own agenda to embrace those teachable moments that can be lost quickly…but the fruit is glorious!
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