CHILDREN AND NEWS
More than ever, children become innumerable, sometimes traumatic,
news on tv. It seems that violent crime and bad news are not waning.
Foreign wars, natural disasters, terrorism, murders, cases of child abuse,
and medical epidemics flood our news daily. Not to mention the grim
wave of recent school filming.
All this invades the world of innocent children. If, as psychologists
let's say children are like sponges and absorb everything that happens around them,
how deep are television news watching them? How careful
parents should monitor the flow of news at home and how
Do they find an approach that works?
To answer these questions, we turned to the panel of experienced anchors, Peter
Jennings, Maria Shriver, Linda Ellerby and Jane Pauli, each of whom faced
the difficulty of raising their vulnerable children in the saturated news
Peace.
Image: 6:30 am After a tiring day at the office mom is busy
to cook dinner. She parked her 9-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son in front
tv set
“Play Nintendo before dinner,” she tells the little ones, who,
instead, scroll through the channels.
Tom Broca at NBC News Tonight Announces Atlanta Thriller
killed his wife, daughter and son, all three with a hammer, before continuing
shooting that leaves nine dead.
In “World News Tonight,” Peter Jennings reports that a giant jet airliner with
over 300 passengers crashed into a rotating metal fireball in Hong Kong
airport.
CNN has a report on the earthquake in Turkey, since 2000
people died.
On the Discovery Channel there are special special hurricanes and
the fear that they create in children. Hurricane Dennis already hit, Floyd
is coming.
Finally, they see a local news report on a rollercoaster accident in New
Jersey who kills a mother and her eight-year-old daughter.
Nintendo has never been this riveting.
"The supper is ready!" shouts mum, not suspecting that her children can be horrified
this formidable medley of television news.
What happened to this picture?
“There are a lot of mistakes in this, but it’s not easy to fix,” notes Linda.
Ellerbee, creator and host of Nick News, award-winning news
The program is designed for children aged 8-13 years, airing on Nickelodeon.
"Viewing blood and gore on tv is NOT good for children, and it does not
to improve the lives of adults, ”says the anchor, which
inform children about world events without terrorizing them. "We are in
stretching the brains of children, and we will not hide anything ", including
recent programs on euthanasia, the Kosovo crisis, prayer in schools,
ban, the death penalty and Sudanese slaves.
But Ellerby emphasizes the need for parental supervision, protection
children from unreasonable concerns. "During the bombing in Oklahoma City
there were terrible images of children injured and killed, "recalls Ellerby." Children
I wanted to know if they were safe in their beds. In studies conducted
Nickelodeon, we learned that children find news the worst thing
on TV.
"Whether it is the Gulf War, the Clinton scandal, a downed jet airliner, or what
happened in Littleton, you have to reassure your children again, again and again,
that everything will be fine - the reason is that this news is news: IT
ANYTHING NEVER HAPPENS. News is an exception ... no one goes on the air
happily and tells you how many planes landed safely!
“My task is to translate information into an age-appropriate context and reduce
anxiety Then it really depends on the parents to see their children watching.
and discuss with them "
However, a new study of the role of the media in children's lives, conducted by
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation shows that 95% of the nation’s children
between the ages of 8 and 18, they watch television without the presence of their parents.
How does Ellerbee view a typical mother scenario exhausted above?
“Mom beat here. Where's Dad? ”Ellerby asks. Perhaps at work,
or live separately from the mother, or absent altogether.
"Correctly. Most moms and dads work as hard as they can, because we
living in a society where one income simply no longer cuts ",
NBC News correspondent Maria Shriver, mother of four, is Katherine,
13, Cristina, 12, Patrick, 10 and Christopher, 6 - agrees with Ellerby: “But
Moms
Do not use the TV as a nanny, because they do not have a manicure! "
says the 48-year-old anchor.
"These mothers are struggling to make ends meet, and they do it because
they need help. I don't think kids will look [as much TV] if their
parents were at home, organizing a touch of football.
“When I need a TV as a nanny,” says Shriver, who leaves detailed TV shows,
Watching travel instructions, “I put on a safe video. I'm not against
that my children watched Pretty Woman or My Best Friend's Wedding,
3000 times. I would be more fearful if they watched an hour of local news.
scared them. They may feel, “Oh my God, someone will come
and shoot my bedroom? "
In an attempt to more closely control their children from the time of her husband,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, became governor, Shriver
reduced its workload as contributor anchor to dateline nbc and configured
her office at home: "You can never be vigilant enough with your children," she said
says: “because the observation of violence on television clearly has a huge impact on
children — whether it’s television news, movies, or cartoons. ”
This view is shared by the American Academy of Children and Teens
Psychiatry, which states: “Television is a powerful influence in the development of value
systems and behavior shaping ... research shows that children can become immune
to the horror of violence; gradually accept violence as a way of solving problems;
and resort to antisocial and aggressive behavior, imitating the violence that they
watch. "
Although there are no rules on watching TV at 49%
households, the television show in Schwarzenegger's house is almost completely
Verboten:
“We have a general rule that my children do not watch TV at all during
a week, - she notes, - and the presence of TV in their bedrooms has never been
option. I have enough problems to get them to do their homework! "
with a laugh. “Plus half an hour of reading they have to do every night.
According to the Kaiser study, the Shriver family is a glaring exception to
rule of “Many children have their own TV, video recorders and video games in their
bedroom, "the study notes. Moreover, children aged 8–18 years actually conduct
an average of three hours and 16 minutes daily watching TV; just 44 minutes
reading; 31 minutes from the computer; 27 minutes of playing video games;
and only 13 minutes using the internet.
“My children,” explains Shriver, “go home at 4 am, go for a 20-minute break,
then go straight to your homework or after school activities. Then I really believe in
having family lunch time. Some of my most vivid memories are
dining table and listening to my parents, four brothers and my grandmother,
Rose flower. We did not watch the news.
"After dinner these days we play a game, then my children in bed reading
their books. That day there is no time for any TV, except weekends, when
they are allowed to watch Disney videos, Sesame Street, Barney, Brady
Bouquet, or Pokemon.
In addition to safe entertainment, Shriver completely excluded the possibility of her
children watch the news unfolding live on TV: "My children," she says, "make
Do not follow the news of television, except Nick News, instead providing your children
with time for children [Teen Newsweek is also available], Highlights and
clippings were discussed at dinner.
“No topic should be banned,” Shriver concludes, “but you must filter
news for your children. "
Peter Jennings from ABC, who today heads World News Tonight,
the most popular evening news release, strongly disagree with censorship
approach to viewing the news: “I have two children - now Elizabeth is 24 and
Christopher is 21 and they were allowed to watch so much television news and
information whenever they want, ”says the anchor.
children understand the world around him, he adapted his best-selling book,
Century, for children aged 10 years and older in the "Age for young people."
No shortage of kids watching the news? "I do not know the slightest flaw, and I
thought about it many times. I used to worry about my children being exposed
violence and outright sex in the movies. Like most parents, I found that although
they were abused earlier than I would like, I do not feel
they were affected by it. The jury is still in sex.
"I exposed my children to violence in the world - to the atrocities
the person - from the very beginning, at the age of 6 or 7 years. I did not try to hide it. I never
worried about shielding between them and reality because I never felt
my children would suffer from violence if
understood the context in which it occurred. I would like to talk to my children about
the vulnerability of children in wartime - the fact that they are innocent pawns -
and about what we can do as a family to make the world more peaceful
a place.
Jennings firmly believes that the kid is a mistake: "I never
talked with my children or with children. I always tell them and
My news release is suitable for children of any age. ”
However, the 65-year-old anchor often receives letters from angry parents: “They will
say, "how dare you put this at 6:30 when my children are watching?" my
Answer: “Madame, this is not my problem. It's your problem. it
absolutely up to the parent to control the flow of news to the house. "
Part of the direction of this flow is completely shut off during the meal, says
Jennings, who believes that family dinners are inviolable. He is shocked that
TV is on during meals in 58% of the country's households, this corresponds to
to the Kaiser study.
“Watching TV at dinner is unforgivable,” he exclaims, explaining that
he always insisted that his family wait until he returns home from the anchor
News. "You're damn right, they waited ... even when my children were tiny, they
never eaten until 7:30 or 8 pm Then we sat without music, without TV. What for
spend such a great opportunity? Watching TV while eating robs the family
the essence of dinner, which is communication and exchange of ideas. I mean,
God, if the dinner table is something, this is a place where you can learn manners and
appreciation for the two greatest things in life — food and drink. ”
Jennings is also unequivocal in his view of unwanted television and believes that parking
the children in the tube create dull minds: “I think that using a TV as a nanny is
a terrible idea, because damn television is very narcotic, similar to drugs. nonsensical
TV makes for passive people - and it distracts from homework!
"My two children were allowed to watch only half an hour of entertainment
TV for the night - and they never had a TV in their bedrooms. It is a conscious
a choice that I made as a parent so as not to seduce them ... too seductive ... "
Adds Ellerbee: “Television is seductive and it should be. Difficult, clear fact
that when children watch television, they do nothing! "
Indeed, according to the National Institute for Non-University Time and
The Office of Educational Research, television plays a big role in
children's lives than ever before. Children watch TV on average from 14 to 22
hours per week, accounting for at least 25 percent free time.
"Dateline NBC" Anchor Jane Pauli, strongly personal, refused to be interviewed
discuss how she and her husband, cartoonist Harry Trudeau ("Doonesbury")
shoot a TV with three teenagers, two of whom are fraternal twins.
But in a written response, she agreed that children should be better protected
from the onslaught of violence: "I was a visitor to a public elementary school
not so long ago, and he was invited to look into the fourth grade class on the topic "
Events. & # 39; The assignment was to follow the news and write about one of
stories. Two children chose a deadly attack on a child from the pit bulls and
another wrote about a child who hung himself with a belt! They all watched
worst blood and blood "News 11" in the city. The teacher did not give
hint that she was as shocked as I was. My answer was to help the school get
subscriptions to Time for Kids and My Weekly Reader. People should be
best news consumers. And tabloid television is very unhealthy for children. ”
At this point, Ellerbee readily agrees: “I truly believe in the first
correct STOPS at the front door. You are the master of the house and parents
have every right to watch that their children watch. What's even better
watch them and initiate conversations about what they see. If your
the child looks at something terribly cruel, sits down and DEFECT. speaking
makes the ghosts flee ... and children can break through their terrible feelings. "
Pauly adds:
“Children,” she says, “are aware of the bad news — they are trying
sometimes spare us the bad news. But children should be able to see that their
parents are human enough to be deeply affected by tragedy as
Columbine, but also strong enough to get through it ... and with life. I.e
basics of their safety. "
“I’m not an expert on the children of the nation,” adds Jennings, “but I must say
No, it was not traumatic. Disturbing, shocking, even destructive to some,
embarrassing others, but traumatizing in this great sense, no.
“Will I explain to my children that there are young, upset, angry, depressed
children in the world? Yes. I hear the worst stories about what's going on.
in high schools from my children. And because of the shootings, parents
now on the brink - pressure on teachers to "do something". They should be
recalled that the vast majority of all schools in America are overwhelmingly
safe ", a fact confirmed by the National Center for School Safety, which states that
in 1998, there were only 25 violent deaths in schools compared with the average
50 in the early 90s.
Ellerby adds that a parent’s listening ability is more important than
lobbying school principals for more metal detectors and armed guards: “If
ever happened when adults didn't listen to the kids, it was
Littleton. First, do not interrupt your child ... let them invent everything.
Then, if you sit silently for a few seconds after they are completed, they will
start talking again, reaching the second level of honesty. Third, try to be honest.
with your child. For very young children, it’s right to say: "It will never be
Listen to you ... "But you do not talk about this 10-year-old."
Moreover, Ellerby believes that media literacy begins on the day when parents stop
pretending that if you ignore television, it will disappear. "Let your child know of
that he or she is SMARTER than television: "I control this box,
it does not control me. I will use this box as a useful, powerful tool, but
don't use it. ” Kids know the difference.
“Watching television,” says Ellerby, “can make children more civilized.”
in the south of Texas in a family of fanatical people. Watching TV made me
to question the conviction of my own family in the natural inferiority of people with color.
For me, television was a real window that expanded my world. ”
Ironically, for Shriver, watching television news is incredibly painful when
broadcast about you. Being Kennedy, Shriver lived all his life in
proximity of rumors and
television speculation about his family. We present the news to our children
therefore included an explanation of the tragedies and disputes
Kennedy suffered. She was only eight years old when her uncle, the president
John F. Kennedy, was killed: "I grew up in a very big shadow ... and I
I could not avoid it, "she admits." It was not a carpet, but it was a big
a responsibility that I do not want my own children to feel. " But did its 15
summer marriage with megastar Schwarzenegger add another layer to the public
curiosity close to home "My kids don't watch Entertainment Tonight - no,
no never! And I do not bring them to kinovideo or Planet Hollywood. I
think that they are well proud of their father, but do not brag about him. ”
How does she emotionally handle the news when her family is there? "This is the line
I have walked since childhood, and this is definitely
I became a reporter. It made me less aggressive. I do not[inthenews[inthenews[вновостях[inthenews
business]glorify yourself at the expense of others, but rather inform
a story without destroying someone in the process. The manufacturer may say: “Call
this person who is in a catastrophic situation and will book them correctly. ” And I
for example: “Ah, ah. I can't even force myself to do it, 'cause I was on
the other side and know that the family is in such pain. "
A few years ago, of course, Kennedy experienced deep pain, but
снова, когда любимый двоюродный брат Шривера Джон Ф. Кеннеди-младший был убит в самолете
с женой, Кэролин и невесткой Лорен Бессетт. Метель
охват новостей, неустанный в течение нескольких недель. «Я не смотрел никого из этого ... Я был
занят, - тихо говорит Шрайвер. - И мои дети тоже не смотрели ни на что.
Однако Шрайвер был несколько готов обсудить с ней трагедию
дети. Она является автором бестселлера «Что такое рай?» [Golden Books],
книга, предназначенная для детей в возрасте 4-8 лет, что объясняет смерть и потерю
favorite. «Мои дети хорошо знали Джона, потому что он провел с нами Рождество.
объяснил, что случилось с Джоном, когда новость развернулась ... пронес их через
это как можно лучше. Я напомнил им, что мама написала книгу и сказала:
«Мы больше не увидим Джона. Он пошел к Богу ... на небеса ... и мы
молиться за него и за свою сестру [Caroline] и ее детей.
Как и Шрайвер, Дженнингс лично неудобно в роли покрытия
частные трагедии на общественном форуме: «В моем магазине меня считают одним из тех
люди, которые много тянут ногами за то, что они покрывают эти вещи », - сказал он
объясняет. «Во время суда О. Я. Симпсона я решил не сходить с ума в нашу
охват - и мы взяли довольно привкус и упали с первого на второй в
рейтинги. Телевидение - это бизнес, поэтому, когда настоящий пронзитель истории, такой как принцесса Диана
приходит смерть, мы ее покрываем. Я думаю, мы боимся этого не делать. Мы виновны в
overkill, и с Дианой мы закончили тем, что праздновали то, что было в значительной степени
эфемерно, делая Диану больше, чем она. Но зрители подпрыгивают!
«Я был категорически против того, чтобы покрыть похороны Джона Ф. Кеннеди-младшего, потому что я
не видел необходимости делать это. Он не был общественным деятелем, хотя другие говорили бы, что я был
неправильно. В эфире я сказал: «Я не думаю, что молодой мистер Кеннеди одобрит
весь этот избыток ... »Но мы провели три часа на похоронах, и это оказалось
замечательный урок истории по американской политике и Кеннеди
место династии в нашей национальной жизни.
«Иногда, - размышляет Дженнингс, - телевизор похож на часовню, в которой мы, как нация,
могут собраться, чтобы иметь общий опыт потери. Мы сделали это с
Challenger, совсем недавно с смертью JFK Jr., и мы сделаем это в ближайшее время, я
подозреваемый, хотя я надеюсь, что нет, с Рональдом Рейганом. Это не сильно отличается от
что делали люди, когда они ушли на Запад в крытых вагонах в прошлом веке.
Когда началась трагедия, они собрали вагоны, зажгли огонь и поговорили
об их потерях дня. И затем продолжил. Телевидение может быть очень
утешительный «.
В заключение Ellerbee утверждает, что вы не можете обвинять производителей телевизионных новостей в
человеческий аппетит к сенсационному освещению новостей, который часто тянется в течение нескольких дней
вовремя:
«Как репортер, - размышляет она, - я никогда не была на войне, дорожно-транспортном происшествии или
место убийства, которое не привлекло толпу. Во всех нас есть маленький мусор. But
те же люди, которые перестают злиться на дорожно-транспортное происшествие, могут также спускаться по колодцу
чтобы спасти жизнь ребенка, или плакать на закате, или усмехнуться, и коснуться их ног, когда
проходит парад.
«Мы не просто одно. Дети могут понять эти серые ... так же, как и
есть более чем один ответ на вопрос, конечно, более одного
часть вам! "
