The media from a positive perspective It's time to face the facts...we live in an “information society” where television, advertisements, magazines, video games, and radio constantly bombard us with images and messages that affect our thoughts and behavior whether we like it or not.

Though research has shown that media viewing may negatively influence children's behavior, it's important to realize that media can't be avoided. Instead of censoring our children from it, we should embrace the media and focus on what postive messages we can relate.

Take a look at Sesame Street for example. Creators of Sesame Street saw a window for opportunity and created a show that both educates and entertains kids simultaneously. The show now airs in more than 120 countries and is the most-watched children's television show in the world.

Not only do Sesame Street characters teach your basic ABCs and 123s, they touch on social issues and cultural differences as well. Watching the show as a kid you'd never realize this, but Big Bird and friends have some pretty profounding messages to share.

In South Africa's "Takalani Sesame" for instance, HIV-positive Kami helps kids come to terms with a disease that plagues their society. Children are taught not to fear those with AIDs but to treat them like every other human being. Similarly, "Rruga Sesam" and "Ulica Sezam" strive to bring peace to two countries where children are raised to hate their counter-parts before they can develop an educated opinion of their own.

Media has the power to influence- rather than banning our kids from witnessing potentially good messages, why not teach them how to weed out the bad ones?

The American Academy of Pediatrics states on their website: "Just as a print-literate child learns to be critical of the things he reads, he should also be able to do the same with moving pictures and sounds. Your child can learn to understand both the obvious and hidden messages in all media. Once children learn media education skills, they will begin to ask questions and think about the media messages they watch, read, and hear. And they usually will enjoy doing it!"

AAS refers to this as media literacy or media eduaction. Provided on the site are basic media education points your child needs to know and how to get him or her to think criticially about the messages he may watch, read, and hear.

I know when I was a kid, there were certain times of the day when my Mom would turn on the TV and certain times of the day when she'd say "that's enough, time to go play!" Become familiar with shows like Sesame Street's time slots. Make sure your children are watching good TV and maybe sit around so you can talk to them about it afterwards. AAS suggests you make TV viewing a family event so that if certain violent or sexual messages come up, you can help them analyze and challenge its meaning on the spot.

Living in a digitial world isn't exactly a bad thing. We just need to learn to adjust. Stop playing "ear muffs" and help your children understand the good and bad media has to offer.  ¶ posted by Taylor at 6:31 PM •