Disciplemaking

Barna on Media Exposure, Addiction: Part III

~ brandon ~ Leave a comment

Scary media – whether that be in the form of slasher films, episodes about demonic possession or other portrayals of the dark side and sick behavior – have become the favorite genre of the Mosaic generation. One noted result is that feelings of fear about one’s environment are reaching record levels, manifested in nightmares, judgment of other people based upon appearance or stereotypes, and changes in daily behavioral routines to avoid scary places.

via Media Exposure, Addiction.

Okay, one more point I want to make.  This one is simple.  The fascination with slasher flicks is nothing new.  I can remember Friday the 13th movies, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street.  While a part of this is simply human nature, another part of this growing fascination is a failure of parenting.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things,” Philippians 4:8 tells us.  Yet, what are these kids consumed with?  Violence, fear, pain and all the ‘sick behavior’ of horror flicks.  Where they never taught that the Christian is to train their mind to meditate upon the things of God? Have they not been taught that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:8)?  Or that we are not to fear anyone other than God (Matthew 10:28)?

So, simply put, I believe this growing fascination with horror results from 1) the de-Christianization of America and 2) Christian parents failing to disciple their children.

Media Exposure, Addiction Part II: Parenting

~ brandon ~ Leave a comment

Two decades ago, the average child under 18 spent about 15 to 20 hours per week digesting media content. Today, it has nearly tripled to almost 60 hours per week of unduplicated time. They now devote more time to media than to anything other than sleep.

via Media Exposure, Addiction.

Another aspect of Barna’s post on media addiction:  kids media consumption time.  It seems he includes in this TV, Movies, Internet and Gaming.  My question is, ‘How much of this reflects the increase in how much media we have?’  We didn’t have the internet when I was a kid.  Television was new when my parents were kids, and the radio was new before that.  Perhaps a part of this is simply a consequence of more media options.

At the same time, I can’t help but notice another trend.  Parents who have little or no time to spend with their kids.  Mom and Dad both work (for the kids, of course), so Tommy is carted off to all day preschool, before and after school care and eventually becomes what we used to call a latch-key kid.

Perhaps, then, it’s not simply how many options we have, it’s that parents don’t want to be parents-and media provides an easy babysitter.  Who doesn’t know the bliss of letting the kid play Wii so that you can get some work done?

The answer, then, is simple:  parents being parents.  Parenting, from a Christian perspective, is discipling.  We are training our kids to be men and women of faith in Christ.  That takes time–a lot of time.  It requires parents prioritizing how much time they spend with their kids, and making sure that time is well spent.

Family game night, with good old-fashioned board games, is a great way to connect with kids and teach them about healthy competition.  Family devotions are a great way for the family to read, pray and discuss God’s Word together.  Family movie night can not only be entertaining, but can provide fodder for faith building conversations.

Of course, each of these has a common denominator–parents actively and personally  involved in the lives of their children.