Changing the Channel:
Protecting Youth from the Harmful
Elements of Television

It’s an undeniable fact that we are often disturbed and sometimes shocked at what we see glaring back at us when we turn on a television.  We find ourselves asking, when did we stop watching The Facts of Life, and begin watching the real facts of life on prime time television?  With the gradual increase of profanity and violence that we are subjected to in our every day viewing, we have come to dismiss it as normal, and something to be expected.  Sadly, we also dismiss the fact that this constant display is having an incredibly negative impact on today’s youth!  According to the American Psychiatric Association, the average 18 year old has seen 16,000 murders on television.  Studies have proven that, when children witness repeated violent acts it leads to a desensitization and a lack of empathy for human suffering.  We wonder why kids are acting more aggressively than ever before, why guns are finding a way into our schools, and why children are simply growing up too fast.  It’s time for our youth to be educated and empowered with the skills to make healthier choices regarding the information they allow television to feed into their minds.  With my platform of “Changing the Channel”, I have two very specific objectives: Changing the literal channel that kids are watching, as well as changing the way that today’s youth are channeling their energy. 

Most parents value the importance of censoring what their children are viewing.  Many pick and choose which shows are acceptable for their kids to watch, and lay down the rules when it comes to shows that should be avoided.  Yet when 54% of kids have television sets in their bedroom, and 44% admit that they watch something different when their parents are not in the room, it constitutes a problem.  Children, therefore, must be prepared to make a healthy choice regarding what they watch on their own.  My first steps to promote this change in our youth’s selection process take place in the classroom.  While visiting a classroom, students have a chance to play in a board game I created entitled, “Hitt It!”. The game involves the children in a creative thinking process and simultaneously teaches the difference between the ways situations are handled in real life as opposed to on TV.  For the younger elementary students, its story time, with my educational children’s book, “The Better Box”.  Before leaving each classroom, every student is given a bookmark with a checklist of the things they should watch out for in their television shows; if any of these elements are in the program, its time to change the channel!  The bookmark also includes a list of fun and educational shows, as well as the address for my interactive educational website.

Though changing the literal channel that youth are watching is a major concern, it is only half of my focus.  The other half lies in my desire to change the way today’s youth are channeling their energy.  This means cutting down on the average four hours per day that kids are watching TV, and spending that time on more productive activities.  Obesity and falling test scores are two of the most prominent concerns regarding today’s students.  It is so important that we are teaching children the impact of simply turning off the television or shutting down the video games and studying or exercising instead!  This need encouraged my affiliation with the Center for Screen-Time Awareness, and promoting their national program, TV-Turn off week.  This program encourages students to turn off the TV for an entire week, in order to revive healthier habits.  During this week I organized a ‘TV Trade In’.  Kids are given the chance to bring in their pledge to be TV-FREE for a week, along with a video game or movie they feel is violent.  In exchange they are given coupons for treats from supporting local businesses, as well as a new book or educational toy!  It’s a great way to remind kids that healthier choices reap plenty of benefits!

The need for reform in America’s television viewing is becoming increasingly harder to ignore.  We may blame the screen writers or network executives for the filth we see on TV, but the truth is we have no one to blame but ourselves!  The networks only air what is proven to be well received by their ratings. Yet if we are not watching the violence and immorality which they choose to promote, will it continue to infect our shows?  My dream is to extend my passionate devotion to educational programming and healthy viewing habits to today’s youth, in order to see a brilliant transformation in the future.  Some may call me idealistic for such a dream, but I know better! For I have seen the way the Miss Texas Crown has a way of turning young women’s dreams into reality.