censorship for children

[MoonWater]

Do you think parents should censor the shows, music, etc. that their children listen to/watch? Why or Why not? If so, What guidelines should be followed when censoring what children are exposed to in the media(I.e. at what age is it appropriate to let them watch ________, what programs/music/etc. should children not be allowed to watch period, if any)? How do you think censorship or lack of censorship will positively or negatively affect a child? How would you censor what your own children watch, listen to, etc., if you do at all?

 

[Ozzie]

Do you think parents should censor the shows, music, etc. that their children listen to/watch? Why or Why not? If so, What guidelines should be followed when censoring what children are exposed to in the media(I.e. at what age is it appropriate to let them watch ________, what programs/music/etc. should children not be allowed to watch period, if any)? How do you think censorship or lack of censorship will positively or negatively affect a child? How would you censor what your own children watch, listen to, etc., if you do at all?

I think good parents just "know" what it is wrong for kids to listen to/hear/watch depending on their age. Its about gradual immersion into the grunge of popular culture.

 

[Breathe]

That's a tricky one!
As a parent, I'm quite liberal.

However, I don't want my kids being exposed to drug abuse and violence as well as swearing. (I hate seeing kids swear - I've heard plenty a kid use the "C" word. The four letter one. Ending with T! ) - simply because their parents say it. It means nothing to them, but they still may copy it.

Since my kids are currently young, I don't think it really matters as much, but when it's older, I will be more careful what I'm watching. For example, no Jerry Springer (*grins*) will be on in our house (I don't watch it really!!). At the moment, I cover my eldest kid's (2 years) eyes at certain things - too violent scenes, and drug abuse.

Currently, for example, I'm playing Metal Gear Solid 4, and the main character keeps sticking these injections in his neck - I cover my eldest kid's eyes then.

I think one should be sensible. Children copy what they see, and when they are too young to understand it's only imaginary, it can be harmful. My nephew used to kick and punch other kids because his parents never censored what was on, so I wouldn't like to make that mistake - but I don't want to be the kind of parent to screen EVERYTHING!

Gah. I'm stressing out now.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

Nothing is really that censored... Listened to explicit music at like 6... And i turned out to be the bunch of crap you see today!

 

[MoonWater]

That's a tricky one!
As a parent, I'm quite liberal.

However, I don't want my kids being exposed to drug abuse and violence as well as swearing. (I hate seeing kids swear - I've heard plenty a kid use the "C" word. The four letter one. Ending with T! ) - simply because their parents say it. It means nothing to them, but they still may copy it.

Since my kids are currently young, I don't think it really matters as much, but when it's older, I will be more careful what I'm watching. For example, no Jerry Springer (*grins*) will be on in our house (I don't watch it really!!). At the moment, I cover my eldest kid's (2 years) eyes at certain things - too violent scenes, and drug abuse.

Currently, for example, I'm playing Metal Gear Solid 4, and the main character keeps sticking these injections in his neck - I cover my eldest kid's eyes then.

I think one should be sensible. Children copy what they see, and when they are too young to understand it's only imaginary, it can be harmful. My nephew used to kick and punch other kids because his parents never censored what was on, so I wouldn't like to make that mistake - but I don't want to be the kind of parent to screen EVERYTHING!

Gah. I'm stressing out now.

What would you consider to be "too violent"? At what age do you think would be appropriate to STOP "covering your kids eyes"?

 

[Breathe]

What would you consider to be "too violent"? At what age do you think would be appropriate to STOP "covering your kids eyes"?

Zombie movies (nothing says violent like pulling someone's entrails out with your hands or teeth!), scenes with sharp implements and strangulation and attacking people and harming people when they are on the floor defenceless.

When they're old enough to understand it's not real and they will not have nightmares, hereby waking me up in the middle of the damn night and refusing to sleep in their own bed.

 

[MoonWater]

Another bonus question: Do you feel parents should be more strict about what their kids watch as opposed to what their kids listen to? Or vice versa? Why or why not? Why be more strict with one rather than the other and just how more strict should a parent be?

 

[Breathe]

Nothing is really that censored... Listened to explicit music at like 6... And i turned out to be the bunch of crap you see today!

Oo, really? What kind of explicit? I can't imagine you listening to heavy metal!

 

[MoonWater]

Zombie movies (nothing says violent like pulling someone's entrails out with your hands or teeth!), scenes with sharp implements and strangulation and attacking people and harming people when they are on the floor defenceless.

When they're old enough to understand it's not real and they will not have nightmares, hereby waking me up in the middle of the damn night and refusing to sleep in their own bed.

As per bolded: How can one determine whether or not a child knows the difference between fantasy and reality?

 

[Breathe]

As per bolded: How can one determine whether or not a child knows the difference between fantasy and reality?

Instinct. Using common sense and judging responsibly.

 

[3.14]

only if decapitation of bodyparts, needles or sexual interaction is preformed and in some rare cases those mind of a killer movies where they make the killer real instead of just a imaginary thread

 

[dawny0826]

Do you think parents should censor the shows, music, etc. that their children listen to/watch? Why or Why not? If so, What guidelines should be followed when censoring what children are exposed to in the media(I.e. at what age is it appropriate to let them watch ________, what programs/music/etc. should children not be allowed to watch period, if any)? How do you think censorship or lack of censorship will positively or negatively affect a child? How would you censor what your own children watch, listen to, etc., if you do at all?

I believe as a parent, I'm responsible for ensuring that my children aren't overwhelmed with musical and visual crap that's beyond their years but I try to be sensible about it. My in-laws censored everything my husband listened to, read and watched and as much as I love them (they meant well), he grew up rather sheltered and I adapted better in the "real world" than he did.

Unless something was filthy...just too much for my young ears and eyeballs, my parents didn't go ape with the shielding. If a song or a movie contained something that my parents found objectionable, they'd immediately talk to us about it. If there was a lesson to be learned, they seized every opportunity to teach us. And I think this common sense approach served all three of us (my sisters and I) well.

I do the same with my girls. I follow my conscience. If I feel something is inappropriate, we change the station or turn it off but a curse word here or there...a random butt...a touch of violence (hey, this is the real world)...it's hard to avoid, you know? I'd rather seize opportunities to talk to my kids and educate them about general "things" in this world than have them learn from someone or somewhere else.

 

[ChristineES]

My 13 year old son has asperger's syndrome so it is hard for him to what is appropriate to say to certain people. I have to pay close attention to what he is watching. He sang a very graphic teacher song that he learned from The Simpsons to his teacher! She was very upset about that and still holds it against him. And she knows his disability. Can you imagine that kind of response he would get from someone who doesn't know his disability?

Parents usually know what is appropriate and not appropriate for their children.

 

[Makaveli]

I think that it is up to the parent to decide what he or she wants to expose his or her child to. If you want to know my own opinion, if I was a father, what I would let my child watch, I will enlighten you.

But first, it's time for categories! I categorize television programs into three relatively broad areas:
1. Children's Programming (Barney, The Muppets, Teletubbies, some cartoons, et cetera)
2. Young Adult Programming (The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, anime, et cetera)
3. Adult Programming (Grey's Anatomy, Everwood, et cetera)
4. Extreme Adult Programming (HBO)

For music, these categories are relatively more difficult since a large amount music isn't necessarily tailored to one group, but I will attempt some categories:
1. Child Friendly (Classical, Jazz, most instrumental music that isn't intense)
2. Young Adult (non-sexual pop music)
3. Teenager (It's a lost cause trying to regulate what your teen does. I have first hand experience, because I am one)
4. Adult (same as above)

With these in mind, I would say that infants to about the age of seven or so should only be exposed to children's programming and child friendly music, children from eight to 12 to only young adult programming and young adult music, and from 13 onward they should be given more leeway in what they choose media-wise, but the parent should obviously keep a close eye on what their teen sees or does not see.

Obviously prohibited things are television, music or movies that have obscene, pornographic content and grotesque, excessive violence. Boys, if they are truly boys, will be naturally inclined to these things so it's best to give them a taste here and there so they will be sated and not defy the parent later on.

The most important thing, though, is to find out when the child can differentiate fact from fiction, and that is the time that the child should be exposed to more controversial and or sensitive content. That's just how I'd raise my own child.

 

[MoonWater]

I think that it is up to the parent to decide what he or she wants to expose his or her child to. If you want to know my own opinion, if I was a father, what I would let my child watch, I will enlighten you.

But first, it's time for categories! I categorize television programs into three relatively broad areas:
1. Children's Programming (Barney, The Muppets, Teletubbies, some cartoons, et cetera)
2. Young Adult Programming (The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, anime, et cetera)
3. Adult Programming (Grey's Anatomy, Everwood, et cetera)
4. Extreme Adult Programming (HBO)

For music, these categories are relatively more difficult since a large amount music isn't necessarily tailored to one group, but I will attempt some categories:
1. Child Friendly (Classical, Jazz, most instrumental music that isn't intense)
2. Young Adult (non-sexual pop music)
3. Teenager (It's a lost cause trying to regulate what your teen does. I have first hand experience, because I am one)
4. Adult (same as above)

With these in mind, I would say that infants to about the age of seven or so should only be exposed to children's programming and child friendly music, children from eight to 12 to only young adult programming and young adult music, and from 13 onward they should be given more leeway in what they choose media-wise, but the parent should obviously keep a close eye on what their teen sees or does not see.

Obviously prohibited things are television, music or movies that have obscene, pornographic content and grotesque, excessive violence. Boys, if they are truly boys, will be naturally inclined to these things so it's best to give them a taste here and there so they will be sated and not defy the parent later on.

The most important thing, though, is to find out when the child can differentiate fact from fiction, and that is the time that the child should be exposed to more controversial and or sensitive content. That's just how I'd raise my own child.

Can you explain why you would censor in this fashion? How do you think the child would be affected by being exposed to these things when you feel they are too young? Assuming a child(say 7-10) does have the ability to differentiate quite readily between fantasy and reality, what then is the reason to continue censoring the media they are exposed to?

 

[Makaveli]

Can you explain why you would censor in this fashion? How do you think the child would be affected by being exposed to these things when you feel they are too young? Assuming a child(say 7-10) does have the ability to differentiate quite readily between fantasy and reality, what then is the reason to continue censoring the media they are exposed to?

I don't have children so I am merely guessing at the appropriate ages, based on the development level I have seen other children display. Obviously, this is a sliding scale but those are just ballpark figures. If a child is mature enough to view certain things, then that child should be allowed to.

 

[FyreBrigidIce]

What I can't stand is parents that don't even try to censor or teach their children right from wrong and the child swears and says words that I don't even use around my daughter. I swear at times but I try to be careful what I say around my kids. I am also careful aorund other children out of respect because I don't appreciate it when every other word out of an adults mouth is a swear word or a derrogatory statement about another person or group of people.

FBI

 

[Don Penguinoini]

Oo, really? What kind of explicit? I can't imagine you listening to heavy metal!

Dr. Dre and co.

 

[Breathe]

Dr. Dre and co.

Whoa

 

[Storm]

Do you think parents should censor the shows, music, etc. that their children listen to/watch? Why or Why not? If so, What guidelines should be followed when censoring what children are exposed to in the media(I.e. at what age is it appropriate to let them watch ________, what programs/music/etc. should children not be allowed to watch period, if any)? How do you think censorship or lack of censorship will positively or negatively affect a child? How would you censor what your own children watch, listen to, etc., if you do at all?

I suppose I do, though I don't think of it as censorship so much as consideration.

There are no hard-and-fast rules as to when x becomes acceptable. You just have to know your kid(s). For instance, my son is so sensitive that The Incredibles is too scary for him.