Contirbutor discusses the influence of the media on young people, and how adults can help.
I didn't own a television for about ten years, from the early '80s to the early '90s. When I finally got one, I was amazed at how the images had changed. They were much more aggressive and came at speeds beyond fast. Certain violent, sexual, and medical images were more graphic than I ever imagined would be allowed. I felt grateful to have grown up in the gentler (at least in the media) '60s and '70s!
Young people today need loving help in dealing with an increasing onslaught of images from the ever-expanding media. Violence and immorality displayed through cutting-edge technology in TV, video games, and movies, easy and sometimes unintentional access to Internet porn sites, even billboards and magazines, can have a profound influence on kids' attitudes and actions. Advertisers are banking on it.
