Parental Censorship: Why is it important?

The entertainment industry is one that has become more and more inappropriate for child viewers and over the years and has incorporated an escalating use of explicit language, violence and sexual content. Children are the most vulnerable members of the viewing public. They are naturally inquisitive and once the television is switched on and a program of inappropriate content is showing, many will continue watching out of genuine curiosity—even when a movie is scary, the child might remain glued to the screen until it has ended, by which time the damage is already done. One of safest ways of preventing children from being influenced and polluted by what they watch on TV and movies is censorship. TV censorship can be done in two ways; firstly, by using a censorship package, (like the ones that come with DSTV), which when activated assures parents that what their children are watching is safe at all times. And secondly, by the parents physically monitoring what their children are watching whenever possible. Many believe that it is the sole responsibility of a parent to censor what their kids watch because if they don’t, who will? What children watch ultimately shapes their character or affects their decisions in life, for example; if the child continually watches movies that have a lot of violence, aggressive images will then dominate the mind and consequently reflect in their behavioural patterns. However, the practicability of parental censorship at all times is a big challenge especially in the case of working parents who in most cases are still at work when their children arrive home from school and switch on the television. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for parents to implement censorship and monitor what their children watch, however it is the best way to ensure that children are not being persuaded or seduced by a variety of unwelcome habits. The truth is, the only place your child can be protected is within the confines of your home. Once they walk out the door, they are bound to be exposed to all aspects of society that won’t care what is filtering into their minds.So what are your kids REALLY watching on TV? You will never know 100 percent, and the most a parent can do is to do their best to monitor this as best as they can. The sad fact is that there are some parents who neglect this aspect of raising their children and often kids are left to decide for themselves whether a program is suitable or not. As a result, they end up watching movies that may end up being potentially harmful in the long run. ms.efuahagan@gmail.com