Angela Ardolino
RECENT TWEETS

  
       
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 




This area does not yet contain any content.

Entries in Media (10)

Tuesday
Sep042012

Teens and Cell Phones

By Angela Ardolino

We’ve all been in that awkward situation when someone takes a call or sends a text message at an inappropriate time. And it can even be embarrassing when that someone is your teen. As parents, we want to give our kids the world but are we the cause of bad cell phone etiquette when we cave to pressure put on us by kids?

Boundaries, Expectations and Limitations.

Regardless of what your teen says you’re the only person who can decide if they’re ready to have a cell phone. Having one may be commonplace among friends, but in your house having a cell phone is a large responsibility. Right off the bat, establish that cell phone use has boundaries, expectations and limitations as well as consequences for falling short and rewards for achieving goals.

Quiet Zones

Originally developed to talk with others while on the go, cell phones have progressed far from just making phone calls. Decide with your teen on quiet zones where cell phone use is not permitted (school, dinner, church, family time, movies, etc.). Emphasize that no matter how important a call or text message may be, it should not be answered in quiet zones, like school. If you need to get a hold of them during the school day, contact the school.

Try creating specific usage times during the day (after school, on weekends, etc.) for your teens to communicate with friends. If your teen takes to your guidelines easily, reward them with additional monthly text or talk minutes.

Driving

When your teen finally steps behind the wheel one of the most important things they’ll need to remember is that under no circumstances are they to talk, text or surf the web while driving. Regardless of who calls. No text message or call is worth the risk of injuring, or killing yourself or others. Wait until your parked to return a call or text.

Some parents may even take the precaution of not allowing calls or text when teens are in a car with another young driver. Teens are easily distracted and having other teens making noise, taking calls while driving can endanger everyone in the car.

Public

Make sure your teen understands that some calls are not appropriate to have in the middle of the mall. Even though teens get easily wrapped up in conversation, remember that other people can hear and see you. Wait until they get home before engaging in a heated conversation.

Minding your manners in public is also important cell phone etiquette. Language or topics of discussion that may be normal to you and the person on the other line may not always be appropriate for the person sitting next to you on the bus. Follow the simple rule: If you wouldn’t walk around with certain words written on your t-shirt don’t say them when talking on the phone in a public place.

The best way to raise polite, smart cell phone users is by being good role models. Our teens will emulate what they see us do. So if we pick up our cell phones during movies or at restaurants, they will also. Once you decide to bestow the privilege of having a cell phone to your teen, talk them through what it means and what’s expected of them. If you’re clear about what you expect in return, there won’t be any discussion later on down the line.

Sources

TBParenting.com

ParentingWithAngela.com

CableOrganizer.com

 

 

Tuesday
Feb282012

Shooting in Ohio School provides another opening to talk to kids about violence

By Angela L. Ardolino,

With recent discussion of how the media plays a very large role in our families’ lives, the nation has undergone a tragedy that in part may have been caused by the ever-present violence in the media today. Continuing the communication with tweens and teens could have saved four lives in Chardon, Ohio earlier this week. The three children who were killed and the alleged murder himself.

Media violence ranges from cartoon slapstick to bloody gore, and it’s in everything our kids watch and play. If you’ve tried a T- or M-rated video game lately, or seen a cop show or music video, you’ve seen this kind of violence. It’s in practically every form of kids’ entertainment. Video games allow players to attack and kill one another, sometimes in very graphic ways. Studies show that aggressive video gaming affects kids. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that “playing violent video games leads to adolescent violence like smoking leads to lung cancer.”

You may ask yourself why it matters.

When kids watch media and play games loaded with violence, studies show it can lead to harmful acts and bullying as well as making your child think that performing these acts is proper. And the more aggressive behavior kids see, the more it becomes an acceptable way to settle conflicts. They may even become less sensitive to those who suffer from real violence by not stopping bullying or fights when they see them occur.

Younger kids are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of media violence – especially kids under 7, who often can’t tell the difference between fantasy and reality. The younger kids are, the more longlasting the effects. These include nightmares and anxiety, and fearing that the world is scary and mean.

Common Sense Media provides these great tips for parents:

Explain consequences. What parent hasn’t heard “but there’s no blood” as an excuse for watching a movie or playing a video game? Explain the true consequences of violence. Point out how unrealistic it is for people to get away with violent behavior.

Keep an eye on the clock. Don’t let kids spend too long with virtual violence. The more time spent immersed in violent content, the greater its impact and influence.

Teach conflict resolution. Most kids know that hitting someone on the head isn’t the way to solve a disagreement, but verbal cruelty is also violent. Teach kids how to use their words responsibly to stand up for themselves without throwing a punch.

Know your kids’ media. Check out ratings and, when there are none, find out about content. Content in a 1992 R-rated movie is now acceptable for a PG-13. Streaming online videos are not rated and can showcase very brutal stuff.

Be proactive.  Encourage your kids to talk about any strange behavior, rumors, etc. of any other students who may need help.  Empowering kids to be part of the solution gives them the ability to be proactive in the future.

Although we may not find out the exact cause of the recent school shooting for a while or ever we must be proactive in our stance on protecting our children from violent influences and unsupervised exposure to inappropriate material. No matter what you believe, safeguarding our children from violence against anyone, including themselves, is paramount.

Make sure your kids understand that violence is not a solution. Ever. It’s just a catalyst for anger, sadness and revenge. Explain to them that the solution is not easy but well worth it. And it begins with them.

Sources

www.CommonSenseMedia.org

www.TBParenting.com

Monday
Feb062012

Battling Stereotypes

 

As described by Merriam-Webster, a stereotype is a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group. Although the word “stereotype” tends to have a negative connotation you may have noticed the active role the media has in reinforcing these stereotypes. Whether on T.V., Internet or video games, these generalizations paint many people unfairly and misinform kids about the world they live in.

Media are full of economic, gender, and ethnic stereotypes, from the roles of good guys and bad guys in video games to the animated films our youngest children enjoy, say Common Sense Media. White male heroes far outnumber both women and minorities in media portrayals. And, although women have come a long way in how popular culture reflects their status, statistics show that women are still most often relegated to roles of love interest, sex object, or selfless saint.

The reason this matters is because the images our kids see powerfully inform their sense of what is “normal.” When kids see the same class, racial, and sexual relations portrayed over and over, it reinforces class, race, and gender stereotypes. The characters kids see can become role models – and kids may want to imitate the behavior they see. They may also form judgments about others based on portrayals in video games, in stories, and on TV.

Here are some tips for you to keep in mind:

Count – when you find yourself watching television or playing games with your kids take a tally of the characters. How many are male/female? Are the characters of certain gender or race portrayed a certain way? Discuss what you see with you children and see if they have any questions.

Dollar – as a parent and consumer you have the power. Not only to control what your children are exposed to but what companies produce. If you don’t like something speak up. When you write or call media companies that produce materials that you feel have stereotypes, company representatives assume there are many other folks who feel the same way you do. This means that when you speak up, you’re speaking for both yourself and for many others.

Discuss - Ask your kids about their values. What do they think about gender, racial, and economic equality? Then ask what they think of action heroes, sports heroes, and video game and movie villains. What about popular culture’s portrayals reflects their values? What doesn’t?

Stereotypes are all around your family. Exposing them and making sure your kids understand that stereotypes are not fact but generalizations is most important. Keeping the lines of communication open so your children can ask you questions when they’re confused will help to ease the burden of being surrounded by confusing messages. It’s most important to know that you’re in control of what your children view. Screening before hand or view material with your children will let you know exactly what they’re being presented with.

Sources

www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/battling-stereotypes-tips