Technology and media are constantly changing.  Six years ago when I was giving my presentation about media, I didn’t even have a section about mobile devices.  Now a good portion of the population has a smartphone that can stream all sorts of content.  Parents could run themselves ragged trying to keep up with the latest technology, social media or trend.  In additions to talking about streaming media today I am also going to talk about our first guiding principle that we are teaching our children that applies to any technology or type of media.

Streaming media is the new frontier of media and is a bit like the ‘wild west’ with lots of potential for wealth and a fair amount of risk.  A 2012 article from Cisco, a network equipment manufacturer, details the quick rise of streaming media.  The main case cited was the 2012 Olympics which was viewed by 57 million US viewers online.  The previous Olympics had a smaller online viewership and only limited events were available live to view online.  The Cisco research found that viewers were watching about 14% of their professionally produced content via streaming or online download.  I would imagine that the percentage is much higher among teens.

The rise of streaming media is actually a great advantage for many families.  Many households are cutting off expensive cable and satellite plans and opting for cheaper, more controlled streaming options.  But the move towards streaming is presenting issues for families and content providers.

A Wall Street Journal article details the impact of “binge viewing” on the industry.  Binge viewing is the viewing of an entire season of a series in a day or weekend.  The article features the story of a 40 year-old professor who viewed 22 hours of a show over a weekend, much to the disbelief of his wife and family.  Binge viewing is a big win for streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, although Netflix executive Todd Yellin is quick to point out, “I don’t like the term ‘binge,’ because it sounds almost pathological.”

So, how much streaming media does your family watch?  Have you ever really thought about it?  There are a lot of behavior patterns that can ‘sneak up’ on us in regards to our media habits.  I mentioned that I was surprised last week when I found out that a Discovery Channel show that I like has a higher density of censored curse words than the VMAs.  Similar issues can pop up with new technology.  Binge sessions can lead to strained relationships in marriages and families.

Streaming media also presents issues for parents who want to monitor the content of what their children are watching.  Age restrictions for content online are minimal and easily bypassed.  As an example, the unrated version of Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, featuring topless women throughout, is accessible online without any age verification.  This is just one example of millions. Access to media with strong language, sexual content and other adult matter is easy for most children and teenagers.

So what is a parent to do?  I personally believe that there is no way to fully limit your child from seeing inappropriate content online.  If they want to see it or have a curiosity about it, they will find it.  That is why I believe guiding principles for our families are so important.  Various shows and different types of media technology will come and go.  Parents can drive themselves crazy trying to keep up with the latest technology or newest social media trend.  Guiding principles are timeless and provide a framework for children and adults to make informed decisions about what they are viewing.

Let me take a brief moment to address some criticism I have received for this series of posts.  Several have said that the ideas in these posts shelter children leaving them to be ambushed by the world.  I don’t know about you, but I want to protect my young children from the harsh realities of the world.  A six year-old deserves to live in a world free of swearing, violence, and sex.  My children have already heard people cussing up a storm in public and they will hear those words throughout their lives, but they don’t need to hear them at home.  Our home is a shelter from the harsh realities of the world but it is also a place where we prepare our children to be wise and informed adults.  We are not denying the reality of the world we live in, we are simply providing an environment where our children can learn, grow, and be equipped.

One of the ways we are preparing our children for the world is by teaching them guiding principles.  I recognize that not everyone who reads my posts is a Bible believer, but we use a Bible verse as our standard for entertainment choices.  It is my hope that anyone can see the value in our selection of Philippians 4:8, whether you are a believer or not.  Let me show you the verse…

There are eight guiding principles in that verse: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.  Each one of these principles carries meaning and we will teach them to our children in different ways at different ages.  I know this post is getting long, but let me talk about ‘true’ for a moment and then wrap things up.  There is a lot of untruth in the media that is available to us.  From the false reality of reality television to the spin of various news sources, untruth is repackaged as fact.  As an example, the internet can run wild with rumors and partial truths about political figures and current events.  The line between fact and fiction is often blurred in today’s fast-paced media landscape.

Parents have to take care in teaching their children that the things they see on TV are not always true.  It used to be that children would get injured trying to recreate something they saw on a cartoon or a wrestling show.  Today there are greater untruths that are presented as reality.  Untruths about relationships, sex, body image, drug use, alcohol abuse, violence, and depression are a common part of mainstream media.  Parents can provide their children with age appropriate lessons to help them filter out the fiction of much of what we are entertained by.  Whatever is true, meditate (or think about) these things.

I appreciate you following along with this long post.  I welcome any comments or feedback you have, positive or negative, in the comments section below.  Your input is part of a conversation that helps me as a parent and perhaps helps others too.  I also appreciate those who have been using the family worship guides I have been putting together this year.  In the past week I have received two requests for an archive list of all the studies.  That content is a bit tricky to find on my site but I have provided a full list of links below.  I am excited that so many families have been using this simple publication to accomplish great things.  Here is today’s study >>> Week 36 – David Builds An Altar

Little Hands, Big Hearts – Week 1
Week 2 – Stir One Another Up
Week 3 – Interested In Spiritual Things
Week 4 – The Faith of Abraham
Week 5 – Faith of Abraham part 2
Week 6 – Faith of Abraham Part 3
Week 7 – Faith of Abraham part 4
Week 8 – Faith of Abraham part 5
Week 9 – Faith of Abraham – Part 6
Week 10 – Faith of Abraham – Part 7
Week 11 – Faith of Abraham – Part 8
Week 12 – Faith of Abraham – Part 9
Week 13 – Faith of Abraham – Part 10
Week 14 – Faith of Abraham – Part 11
Week 15 – Faith of Abraham – Part 12
Week 16 – Faith of Abraham – Part 13
Week 17 – Faith of Abraham – Part 14
Week 18 – The Faith of Abraham – Part 15
Week 19 – The Rainbow
Week 20 – Ruth & Naomi – Part 1
Week 21 – Ruth & Naomi – Part 2
Week 22 – Ruth & Naomi – Part 3
Week 23 – Ruth & Naomi – Part 4
Week 24 – Samuel Anoints David
Week 25 – David and Goliath
Week 26 – Jonathan and David
Week 27 – David Spares Saul
Week 28 – Saul’s Death
Week 29 – David Becomes King
Week 30 – Ark of the Covenant
Week 31 – Nathan the Prophet
Week 33 – Bathsheba
Week 34 – David Flees Absalom
Week 35 – David Returns As King