The Yearning for Positive Media: A Parent's Plea for a Kinder Digital World
Introduction
In today's fast-paced digital age, parents are confronted with a relentless wave of media, and they long for something more for their children, a return to innocence. The yearning for positive media has become an essential concern in modern parenting, as the content children consume can significantly impact their values, attitudes, and worldview. With the ever-expanding influence of media in children's lives, parents are increasingly seeking a shift toward more positive and uplifting content. This article explores the reasons behind this desire and how it can shape the future of media.
The Media Landscape
The media landscape has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. Children are no longer limited to watching Saturday morning cartoons on television; they now have access to a vast digital world of content through smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. While this offers a wide array of educational and entertainment opportunities, it also exposes them to a plethora of content that may not always be age-appropriate or positive in nature.
In addition to this, some media giants are adding very dark material to their networks, rendering them not as trustworthy. For example there is an increase in shows that not only show dark magic as something fun, but as an inoffensive means to harness "power" for one's own purposes, going as far as depicting stories about the Antichrist, Satan, Lilith, demons or possessed parents as something not only normal, but cool. This is happening in most of the major studios, even those that had been trusted for decades.
Negative Impact of Media
Negative media content can be harmful in various ways. Violent video games, explicit movies, and toxic social media content can negatively influence a child's behaviour, world view and overall emotional well-being. Research¹ has shown that prolonged exposure to violent or disturbing content can desensitize children to violence and lead to aggressive behaviour. In addition, the unrealistic body standards often depicted in media can contribute to body image issues and low self-esteem.
Moreover, the relentless stream of bad news and negative social discourse can instil fear, anxiety, and pessimism in children, affecting their outlook on the world. This can add to the risk of the ever growing rate of suicide in children² of younger and younger ages.
The Yearning for Positive Media
In response to these concerns, parents today are longing for positive media that can counterbalance the negative influences. They want content that inspires, educates, and fosters good values such as empathy, kindness, and critical thinking. Positive media can offer a refreshing change from the constant barrage of negativity, offering children an alternative perspective on the world.
This is where 3NITY comes in, along with other Christian producers, who recognize this real need to provide Christ-centric media. 3NITY is making a stand to create not only emotionally impactful productions, but authentic and factual to bring clarity to this increasingly confused world, with an unwavering commitment to produce high-quality media that the whole family enjoys. Most importantly, by focussing the arts back on Christ we know we are going to make a great impact to the future of the Church and the world.
Benefits of Positive, Christ-Centric Media
1. Fosters Positive Values: Positive media can help instil values such as kindness, respect, empathy, charity, honour, and responsible consciousness in children. Through heartwarming stories and characters, children can learn valuable life lessons about the importance of having a relationship with God and the difference He will make in their lives if they have Him as their strong moral compass.
2. Promotes Critical Thinking: High-quality educational content encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, empowering children to become active learners and responsible global citizens.
3. Boosts Self-Esteem: Positive media that showcases diverse role models and characters can boost children's self-esteem by offering relatable figures to look up to. This can help children develop a more positive self-image with a focus more on how God loves them deeply, and how He provides every means, to get them to where He wants them to be, so that they may become the best version of themselves.
4. Encourages Creativity: Creative and imaginative content can inspire children to explore their own creativity and artistic talents. It can encourage them to engage in activities that enrich their lives beyond screens.
5. Reduces Anxiety: Positive media can help alleviate anxiety by offering comforting, reassuring, and uplifting stories and messages. It can provide a sense of hope and optimism in a sometimes chaotic world.
The Future of Positive Media
The demand for positive media is a call for change in the media industry. Content creators, producers, and distributors have a pivotal role in shaping the future of media for children. Mainstream studios recognize the responsibility they bear in influencing the younger generation, but they have been serving agendas contrary to the wellbeing of their audience. However, there is a rise in studios challenging that wave of negativity by implementing God back in a rich tapestry of stories that uplift the soul.
3NITY is eager to become a major role player to create this change and is confident to fulfill this mission with the help of parents, grandparents and concerned citizens that long for a brighter future in entertainment.
In conclusion, the yearning for positive media among parents today is a reflection of their desire to provide a brighter, more uplifting, and nurturing environment for their children. 3NITY wants to provide trustworthy options for parents.
Positive media can be a powerful tool in shaping young minds and fostering a future generation that values kindness, empathy, and critical thinking. As media producers such as 3NITY respond to this demand, specially Christian ones, a more optimistic and harmonious media landscape can emerge, benefiting both children and society as a whole.
Written by: Frida Abaroa
Founder of 3NITY
© 2024 3nity Creative Corp. All rights reserved.
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NOTES
¹ - Research consistently demonstrates that prolonged exposure to violent or disturbing content can desensitize children to violence and lead to aggressive behavior. Studies from reputable institutions like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Psychological Association (APA) show that children who consume high levels of media violence are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour and accept violence as a way of solving problems. Additionally, frequent exposure desensitizes them to the suffering of others, making them less empathetic or sensitive to violent situations.
The AAP highlights how children and adolescents are highly influenced by media, and their behaviour is shaped by what they observe and imitate. This exposure contributes not only to aggression but also to nightmares, fear of being harmed, and other mental health issues. Moreover, cross-cultural research and meta-analyses demonstrate a significant link between media violence and aggression, affecting children across various age groups.
For further research and a deeper understanding, you can explore the studies collected by the Center on Media and Child Health at Harvard and findings by the American Academy of Pediatrics. These sources emphasize the profound effect that media violence has on youth behavior.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Media Violence:You can find their research and stance on the impact of violent media on children here:AAP - Media Violence Report​ (AAP Publications).
American Psychological Association (APA) - Media Violence and Children:The APA provides a summary of studies and research linking media violence to aggressive behaviour in children, which can be accessed here:APA - Media Violence​ (AAP Publications).
These sources provide in-depth details and research findings on the subject.
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² - According to the CDC, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for children, adolescents, and young adults aged 10 to 24. Children who are repeatedly exposed to adverse events, including the constant barrage of negative social and news content, are at greater risk of developing anxiety and depression, both of which are closely linked to suicidal ideation. Research also shows that societal factors, including the overuse of social media and exposure to violence or negative social interactions, can exacerbate mental health issues, particularly among younger individuals​​ (Why Are Youth Suicides Increasing - National Center for Health Research).
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