TV & Film for Your Kids - Digital Childhood

Film & TV for Your Kids Robert Hart-Fletcher www.kidsandmedia.com www.kidsokonline.comKIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids TV & Film are changing Homes now have many TVs with 100’s of channels in HD or 3D, with cinema sound, and screens that ﬁll a wall. Kids could watch anything, anywhere, anytime, on laptop, mobile or iPad, in public or private – even under the bed clothes in the middle of the night.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Lots more to see and do The volume of TV and ﬁlm aimed at children and teens is growing fast and becoming more sophisticated. Kids might also see channels on the family TV (e.g. porn) and programs not meant for children. Teen and adult ﬁlms routinely show, in compelling high-speed action: extreme violence, cruelty, blood and gore, exploitive sex, drug abuse – all delivered in a stream of very strong language.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids The exploitation box Some parents worry that exposure to some TV and ﬁlm content harms their children: Films get kids used to violence, cruelty and swearing Focus on sex makes young kids sexually aware and active to soon Adverts make kids want too much Phone-ins rip kids off Online gambling draws kids inKIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids The distortion box Some TV shows have an insidious inﬂuence that can distort a child’s view of life Talent shows promise anyone can be a star, and then reject tens of thousands Footballers wives become TV celebrities without talent or skill ‘Reality’ shows appear to reward showing off, bizarre or extreme behaviour Soaps can give a distorted, sensationalised or dumbed-down view of ‘everyday life’.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids The learning box Many TV shows and ﬁlms are highly entertaining and informally educational: Some programmes are speciﬁcally designed to help children learn Many documentary programmes are fascinating and valuable for children Some movies and dramas contribute to children’s emotional development News and current affairs broaden children’s understanding of the worldKIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Control the channels You can select the best TV content for your children and protect them from what’s unsuitable. If you use a digital TV package (e.g. Sky, Virgin, Freeview etc), ask your local supplier how you set the decoder box to block unsuitable channels from your children, such as: Porn Horror Shopping GamblingKIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Control the downloads Most TV companies now provide free content online: SkyGO, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, Channel 4OD, Virgin Media. Services like TV Catchup stream live TV for free from over 40 channels. Kids could download to laptop, mobile or l iPad and watch without you knowing. ontro e ntal C Some services have Parent Controls that a’s Par ching gin Medi ild wat your let you select which content your kids can “Vir your ch t . Sele ct st ops le conten d the see and when they can go online. n un suitab e group a est.” g r ch ilds a does the e so ftwarKIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Set the limits Children at different ages expect different rules on what to watch and how late to stay up. Don’t negotiate with your infant kids. Just set the rules. and stick to them. Discuss with your primary kids and teens, the reasons for selecting content and limiting TV time and agree the limits depending on age and school work load. Make the TV in your child’s bedroom a privilege that you can withdraw if abused.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Talk to other parents It’s a good idea to exchange experiences and advice with other parents. Do not be gullible to your child’s claims that “All the other children stay up late to watch...” You need to be conﬁdent that when your child stays with her friend, she will not see TV or ﬁlms that you feel would be harmful. So it’s good to agree content standards with their parents.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids TV in the family room Keep the best TV in a family room. Watch good ﬁlms and TV shows with your children and let them experience family viewing as a rewarding social activity. This helps you keep track of how your children react to TV content and creates opportunities to talk about what they see.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids TV in a child’s room? If you allow your older child or teen a TV, in his own room, discuss and agree clear rules on when it can be used and how. Make it clear you will suspend the privilege if the rules are broken. Your child might transgress, so be ready to follow through – no matter how unpopular you might be! Then allow him to earn the privilege back. NOTE: If you allow private internet access, webcam or games console use, you have much more to consider about your child’s safety. See ‘A Safer Internet for Your Kids’.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids TV conversations Ask your children what they ﬁnd fun and exciting. Help your children become discriminating viewers. Ask them questions, such as: How real is this reality show? Do you believe that advert? Ask your children to tell you if they see anything unpleasant, sad or disgusting. Help your children make sense of news and current affairs.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Talk about the news News broadcasts are often too challenging or distressing for infant children. Watch the news with your primary children and teens and discuss what is happening. Help them understand how news events might or might not affect your familyKIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids War and disaster Children are more frightened by violence in the news than in cartoons or ﬁlms. Small children should be protected completely from news of war, natural disasters, violence, murder, sexual assault or tragic news involving children. Small children might not understand that the a war or disaster is a long way from home and the family will not be hurt. Very young children have a limited sense of time and might assume a repeated old news story is happening right now.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids War and disaster Norwegian Educational Psychologist and one-time film censor, Birgit Bruun, advises parents on how kids understand war and disaster reporting on TV. Age 2 to 5 Age 5 to 9 Age 9 to 10 Child can’t tell fiction Child may be upset by Child may be upset by from reality. Does not violent TV content. Can war and disaster, but a understand long periods imagine what might conversation with you of time or distances. happen to her or other may reduce effects of Upset by harm to children. Child starts to media exposure and animals or children. tell fiction from reality. relieve stress. Never leave child alone Should only watch the Talk to your child about with unpredictable TV. news with you present war and disasters, and and ready to switch off, help her relate to media Must not see the news divert or explain. coverage.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids And now, the good news In the midst of disaster, there may be good news to share with your child such as: the efforts of the relief campaign people being rescued kind people giving money to help Discuss what small thing you and your child can do to help, to reduce any feelings of guilt and helplessness.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids A child upset If your children see or hear anything that upsets them. Tell them clearly what you, as an adult, think about what has happened. Some children may have nightmares for days after seeing something scary. So be extra attentive if your young child has seen worrying events on TV or ﬁlm.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Talking it out Children need to talk about what they see and hear, especially if it’s upsetting or worrying. Let them draw things they’ve seen on the news or write stories or poems about what they see and hear. In this way your child can cope with even the strongest impression.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids TV role models Do not let ‘celebrities’ on TV or the fictional heroes in films (or video games) become the most influential role models in your child’s life. Help your child enjoy the fun and froth of talent shows, reality TV or celebrity watching, without being fooled into thinking it’s real life or a viable career path for everyone. Help your child become a conscious media consumer who can see what’s real, what’s acting and what’s computer generated.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids Kids and films There is a wide variety of films for children and adolescents, and it can be challenging to find what is good for children to watch. The British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) classifies films, DVDs and video games in age suitability categories. Learn more at BBFC for Parents http://www.pbbfc.co.uk/ To quickly check out any film on release, download the BBFC iPhone app.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids BBFC Film Classiﬁcation The age suitability of ﬁlms, DVDs and Video games 15+ 4+ 18+ 8+ 18+ in 12+ licensed cinemas only 12+ must be accompanied in cinemaKIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids KidsandMedia can help Visit www.KidsandMedia.co.uk We review hundreds of films aimed at children, teens and families and some popular films rated 15. We tell you what they’re about, how entertaining they are, and the age they’re suited for. We stamp “kidsandmedia recommended” on the best. You can browse the list of reviews or search for a specific film title.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

Film & TV for Your Kids KidsandMedia can help Visit www.KidsandMedia.co.uk Download the free Digital Childhood book for useful tips and tools for a safer media life.KIDSOKONLINE© Copyright KidsOKOnline Limited 2011

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TV & Film for Your Kids - Digital Childhood

by KidsOKOnline, Devon, UK on Dec 15, 2011

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TV & Film for Your Kids - Digital Childhood — Presentation Transcript