Children, Media and Peer Influence

For a long time now since I became a mother about 10 years ago, I have been concerned about media and peer influence in children, especially those at the very formative ages of 4 -10.  Most of our media houses and particularly the TV stations have children programmes airing early evenings between 3.30 pm and about 6.00 pm, something commendable.  I however have issues with the programmes that follow thereafter.  These are all ex-rated for the children of these ages.  The greatest worry that I painfully habour in my heart is that during this time, most of the parents have not been able to return from their places of work or business and therefore are not able to monitor how the children spend this time just before meals and retiring for the next day.  As a result child are left to watch and listen to "pornography".

Irrespective of how we may view it, our children are slowly by slowly being mentored by the media.  This would have been excellent if it was positive mentoring.  As parents or guardians, we might have different lifestyles and this may therefore not make sense to some out there, but my big question is this:  What foundations and values are we laying in our children for the next generation as we watch them day in day out being fed with virtue-less material and information into them?  Given their ages and thus curiosity, they absorb these kind of information very fast and unfortunately, identify with it.  In this regard, what ought we to do?  As a parent, guardian, you are not there most of the times - (may be you spend just one hour or less with your child every day), you are unable to influence your child's relations and friendships at all times, behaviours and habits have been formed and as time goes by these form that young boy or girl you have into a teenager and before you know it, a young adult?  How can you ensure that your child grows up not only in your desired ways, but in the way of the Lord?  To be continued ....