Week #___: 10 More Resources

http://www.aap.org/family/tv1.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics lists specific areas in which parents need to beware of the effects on children: time, nutrition, sex, alcohol, tobacco, commerciasl etc.


http://www.aap.org/family/mediaimpact.htm
This article gives an overview of some of the messages media send young people that could be negative or harmful to their health and shows how parents can help their children understand these things.

http://www.aap.org/policy/re0038.html
This article shows how media affects sexual understanding in adolescents and how that affects health and well being in families.

http://www.apa.org/monitor/dec01/fastfood.html
There is an abundance of unhealthy, heavily advertised food in media that is bringing down the health and physical activity of millions of Americans.

http://www.media-awareness.ca/
This group provides resources and support for those interested in media and information literacy for youth.

http://www.moralityinmedia.org/
Morality in Media fights immorality and indecency in media through the legal system.

http://www.technos.net/tq_11/2emmans.htm
This article looks at the connection between media literacy and character education.

http://interact.uoregon.edu/mediaLit/mlr/readings/articles/Divide.html
hippies form the sixties turned into yuppies, driving European cars, and influencing generations through advertising and media.

http://interact.uoregon.edu/mediaLit/mlr/readings/articles/hardlessons.html
Media doesn’t work unless it makes money!!!

http://interact.uoregon.edu/mediaLit/mlr/readings/articles/superbowl.html
I hate people who only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. I hate the NFL and the networks for turning into a media circus. What can I say… I’m a purist. I like football because it’s football. …Anyways, this article’s interesting.


Consequences
I find it darkly amusing how television portrays a world without consequences. Someone can do whatever they feel like, and suffer few, if any, negative repercussions. This goes completely contrary to the reality that the Bible speaks of. YHWH is a god of moral standards and integrity, and as responsible, independent beings, he holds human beings to these standards. It is the law. When the law is broken, punishment is carried out. It is a natural order of action and consequence. However, media portrays a lifestyle, which is untethered and free. In regards to violence, we see random acts of violence and mayhem that just seem to happen with no ramifications. Characters in television shows and movies have sex freely with whomever they want, and it is ok.

In advertising, companies push us to make decisions based on feelings and popularity. “If it feels right, it must be right.” Or “If you try our product, people will like you.” That’s the basis for the advertising industry. It has removed from the realm of moral reality. As the church we need to reconnect ourselves with true reality where there are standards and law. After all, “sin is lawlessnes.”