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HOW CAN PRAYER PROTECT KIDS FROM VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA?
NEWS REPORTS about violence committed against young people or by them seem to be a daily occurrence. It's a global problem that has many people speculating about the root causes. Although it would be unfairly biased to put the entire burden on the media, the influence of violence in entertainment is nevertheless a real concern. It's difficult to avoid the premise that a steady diet of movies and games with violent elements—now also increasingly available on the Internet—can have the effect of desensitizing young people.
It seems one of the big challenges is the length of time children spend watching television on a daily basis. The University of Michigan Health System reports that "on average kids spend nearly four hours a day watching television, DVDs, and videos. Sixty-eight percent of 8to 18-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom." And a University of Maine Extension "Family Issues Facts" newsletter states: "Children are imitators, and those who watch violent shows are more likely to display aggressive behavior. They are more likely to 'strike out at playmates, argue, and disobey authority' according to the American Psychological Association Help Center."
So, what's a parent to do? Is the answer to turn off the television? Create more activities for our children? Or, at the very least, take responsibility for the kind of programming our children watch? It's a start. And there are ways to do this—from setting up parental controls on the Internet and television, to gathering tips from websites, such as the University of Maine Extension's, that provide alternative activities to TV-watching for children.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
April 21, 2008 issue
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LETTERS
with contributions from DEANNE LAWRANCE, ANTHONY OAKLEY, LINDA WENTZEL, DAVID HELMER
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'Spotless selfhood'
STEVE GRAHAM, SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
with contributions from Roy Lloyd, Norris Burkes
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GOD'S LAW CANCELS WRONGDOING
BY ROB GILBERT
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THE BIBLE AND ORIGINAL INNOCENCE
BY MICHAEL HAMILTON
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AN INVITATION TO LEAVE REGRET BEHIND
BY SANDRA M. JUSTAD
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK from spirituality.com
with contributions from Marie, Barbara, Veronika, Nellie, Doni, Nergish
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Floods: hope in the midst of disaster
BY THOMAS R. MITCHINSON
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FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY
The Christian Science Board of Directors and Board of Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society
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LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
with contributions from MIKE GRAHAM, LOUISE EARHART, ELIZABETH KENNEDY, MONA GRANT, ANNE MELVILLE, DAVID WATT, VIRGINIA STOPFEL, SUE WARRICK-SMITH, JOHN CARTER, MARILYN BOHLEN SIMPSON, SANDRA HAMAKER, MARY ANN LERCH, TODD CLECKLEY, MARNA NEUFER, SHARON LEMAN, ROB SHERMAN, SASKIA BARKER, JAN DUKE, PAULETTE WATKINS, KARIN MACBRIDE, PAUL SINCLAIR, ELEANOR BIGBIE, GLYNN LEWIS, MARILYN MCDONALD, HARRY PETERSON, VICKI KNICKERBOCKER, TIMATHEA SHAYS WORKMAN, ED GONDOLF
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I shared my prayers
BY SHOSHANNA MUSZYNSKI
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THE SHEPHERD CARRIES US THROUGH TRIALS
JUDITH HARDY OLSON
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HOW CAN PRAYER PROTECT KIDS FROM VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA?
KITTIE BURRIS
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EARTH DAY: A CALL TO PRAYER
RON BALLARD
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MY TRUE COUNTENANCE
MARK RAFFLES
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ALL NUMBNESS GONE
GLADYS CISNEROS
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HEALING IN THE AMAZON
ALESSANDRA P. COLOMBINI