The Evening News

I don't think sheltering kids is a good idea. You should let them watch it if they are interested then talk to them about it if they have questions or concerns.

Hi Kelli!

My daughter is almost 12 and she watches the news! Actually her 5th grade teacher encourages her students to stay involved in current events! I don't see any harm in letting our children know how the world really is. Hope this helps!

I think at the ages your kids are they should be able to watch it, esp. the 15 yr. old. If they are talking about something you really don't want them to hear then just ask the younger ones to leave the room. The 15 year old is def. old enough to know what is going on the world!

In response to the lady who doesn't think anyone should read newspapers or watch tv, this is the real world and we all have to live in it, you can't live under a rock.

I believe that it is absolutely okay. If you are watching it with them then it allows them to talk to you about things and not ask their friends. They need to know what is going on around them and yes sometime the stuff on the news is awful, but at least they are aware on some level of the bad things that do happen. What a great conversation starter for the choices we make 9drugs)and how they influence so many parts of our lives. Sometimes they even talk about the good things.

Many times at our house the news is background and we stop and listen if something sounds important. We have a 12 year old and we also feel there is a lot of negativity. We use examples from the news stories to teach our daughter.

One thing that really irritates us is the groups who want to ban something that might be a little sexy or racy (not that I would let my daughter watch it) and then will allow all the violence and killing to be right in front of our kids. I'd prefer my daughter accidently see a nude backside or breasts than someone getting their head blown off or other violence.

Just my opinion. Susan

I let my oldest watch the news with me, actually I am a news freak!!! I try to screen (change the channel) what my younger ones see. If it is an extremely gruesome or upsetting story I change the channel and check my news online.

Otherwise, I let them watch it. Good, bad, or ugly...it is the news and staying up on current events is an extremely important part of school!! I remember have to watch the news for papers and assignments for school when I was young!!!

I do, however, make sure I am sitting there WITH them and answer any and all questions they may have completely, and to the best of my ability!!! The worst thing you can do is let their little active imaginations try to figure out something they DON'T understand on there own...that, in my opinion, is where the REAL trouble starts!!!

I hope this helps!
hugs
H.

Absolutely, they should be allowed to watch TV. It will kep them informed, and they won't be ignorant of thier world. We can't hide our children from the world, and it's wise to turn the TV if there is a story that's not appropriate, but they need to know whats going on in the world.. Kudos to you for raising your children to be educated of the the world they live in

IMO no one should watch the evening news or read the papers, etc. They are filled with negativity and it only continues to grow as people feed their minds with it. We find positive things to fill our minds with in our home, reading, outdoor exploring and amazing music. We found once we did this the negative people in our lives disappeared and new, positive focused, prosperous individuals (like ourselves) arrived in abundance. This is the life we choose for ourselves and only you can choose what you desire for you and your family.

All the best always,
C.

I read the online sites but do not watch the news. While I was raised with the notion that watching the news is a good habit and teached us a world perspective, I don't thikn that hols true these days. Stories are picked for gossip or salacious content levels and not newsworthiness. IMHO, I would not show it to my child.

Read the newspaper (paper or online) together. You can pick a story and talk about it.

Tape it, shaow them news stories they should be aware of otherwise the news is a more adult thing and it also depends on the mental maturity of your childs mind. I think allowing a child to watch a news story is like choosing a video game, there should be a symbol to go with it so we know if they should leave before it even starts. If your child can handle it then let them watch if they cannot watch it later. That is the beauty of todays world most having Tivo or a DVR but there is still the old fashioned VHS ... leave the adult stuff to the adults we need to make our kids aware of today's world but do what we can as parents to keep them children for as long as we can. Good Luck.

It's an interesting question and I appreciate your asking it. We don't have TV, but do listen to the news on the radio. They get the message without the sensationalism and images that TV tends to put forward.

I think your kids are plenty old enough to watch the news. They should know what is going on in the world. At their ages, I am sure they are doing current events in school and their teachers probably expect them to be aware of what is going on. I know my teachers did when I was in school. I know some things aren't pleasant, but ingnoring them doesn't make them go away. My daughter is only 6 and if she is in the room when I am watching the news, then she watches it also.

S.

Well I screen it for myself. I watch some stories, but refuse to watch others. Although all kids are different, and you have to really judge them individually, I think in general a 15 year old would be fine with it. Your friend not letting a 16 year old watch it is IMHO going a little too far. No, I don't think the news is quality programming nowadays, but we should be careful not to overprotect our children. What happens in 2 years when that child goes off to college with no exposure to news? Once a child hits the teen years, so long as they aren't overly sensitive they should be exposed to things that are on the news in small doses, and with a parent around to answer all questions and to be sure it is all put in perspective for them.

IMHO, most children can distinguish between events that are real (the news) and ones that are fake (movies and the like). Since you said you watch it with them, that is the best way to go with any program they watch. That makes you available for them to ask questions about things they may not understand. Ask them questions about what they are watching. How does it make them feel about this story, or do you think that person did the right thing and why do you think so, etc. Use it as a teaching opportunity and a time to spend some quality time talking to your kids. I know I am always looking for small ways to interact with mine! I hope this helps.

A.

Hi Kelli,I have 2 daughters 36yr and 23 and they both were raised watching TV news and reading the Star Telegram.They both excelled in school and can talk to anyone about anything.Some teachers have the Star-Telegram in class and have current event activities where the child has to find a current event and write or speak about it in front of their classmates.I figure they hear it on the internet read it in the paper or see it on the news,but they hear it anyways and at least its edited when they watch TV. Another opionion always helps

Hi, Kelli, I'm going to respond to you as someone who used to watch the evening news when I was a kid (I'm turning 37 tomorrow). Watching the news made me more aware of the world around me and what was going on. I became interested in world events and how they affect me and my family and led me on a path to find ways to help. Your friend's kids are growing up sheltered and ignorant. I agree that there are some things a child should not be exposed to, but if you watch with them and answer any questions they may have and discuss the issues with them, they will be better people for it. I also think that watching slanted, biased programs such as the O'Reilly Factor or Chris Matthews doesn't help either. Straightforward news (PBS and NPR would be the best) are great ways for your child to grow up caring about the world around them. Allow them to find ways to help and be proactive.

Y.