Meaningful Media Moments

Today’s media landscape is vast and overwhelming, to say the least. From the ever-growing list of video and music streaming services to the constant battle among social media platforms, to free online game creator tools, content created by anyone can be watched, played, listened to, or read globally. All this is within arm’s reach at nearly any time of the day.

Our kids are indirectly and directly exposed to much more than we’d like them to be, and oftentimes our instinct is to shut it all down. Hit pause. Block it. Avoid it.

But what if, instead of simply trying to guard and isolate our children so they are never exposed to any questionable content, we equipped them to test everything; to hold on to the good. What if we challenge them to think Biblically with discernment and to make their own informed decisions on the costs and benefits of consuming various forms of media in the modern-day world?

What would be the benefits of being more intentional and present to have conversations, teaching them to recognize the valuable and disregard the worthless?

Jesus didn’t avoid hard conversations, and He taught His disciples how to be in the world without being of the world. He asked questions, told stories, and met people in the mess of real life. As parents, we have the same opportunity. When a movie raises moral questions, a song glorifies something empty, or a viral video promotes confusion, we can use those moments to connect with our kids, not just about the content, but about their hearts.

Watch or listen with your kids as often as possible, and challenge the narrative with God’s Word. Ask questions like: “What do you think about that?” and “How do you think this could help you to become more like Jesus?”.

You can also prepare yourself with a summary of the latest movies, TV, music, games, books, and YouTube channels and their content (positive elements, spiritual elements, sexual & romantic content, crude or profane language, etc.) at https://pluggedin.com.