We grew up in the 80s and 90s. Watching movies all night at a sleep-over or playing video games in pajamas all day was/is normal. It is relaxing, entertaining, and engaging with others.
Robin’s Background
I grew up in a strict home. In fact, we didn’t have a television until I was around 18 years of age. We would rent TVs and movies every once in a while (during Olympics or World Cup). We went to maybe 3 or 4 movies at a theater while growing up.
Erica’s Background
I grew up with full access to the tv and video games most of the time. My first records (yes, record is correct) were Madonna (which accidentally got melted when I left it beside the oven) and Cyndi Lauper. My mom was pretty firm about us not watching soap operas, horror movies, and The Simpson’s. I am sure this provided a nice buffer from the really bad stuff. Right? The older I got, my dad would pick us up on the weekends and take us to the movies. I am pretty certain I saw most of the movies that came out in the late 80’s through the mid 90’s, not to mention the hours and hours we spent on the Nintendo playing Super Mario Brothers or Duck Hunt. Now you all have a clear picture of why I am so dysfunctional.
Now, we have been married for over 15 years and have three young kids. Our kids absolutely love movies and video games. As parents, we do too. However, we are now responsible for selecting and/or protecting our kids from the damaging effects of media. The question begs to be answered:
What impact do movies and video games really have on my kids? Is it “just a game” or “just a movie”?
Do we need to buckle down and restrict anything that vaguely looks violent, sexual, or profane? OR Should we allow media with different opinions help us grow and develop our world view and theology?
Ralph Waldo Emerson (who was a long way from being a Bible thumping Christian) once said, “A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will come out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping, we are becoming.”
Check out this information from the National Institution of Health:
Not all television programs are bad, but data showing the negative effects of exposure to violence, inappropriate sexuality and offensive language are convincing – American Academy of Pediatrics
The amount of violence on television is on the rise. The average child sees 12,000 violent acts on television annually, including many depictions of murder and rape. More than 1000 studies confirm that exposure to heavy doses of television violence increases aggressive behaviour, particularly in boys. Other studies link television or newspaper publicity of suicides to an increased suicide risk.
If you are interested, you can get all the sources for this data on the actual report, Click here.
Anything taken in, in large quantities, shapes who we are. We are feeding the flesh in us, either good or bad.
Jesus said, “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!” Matthew 6:22