The issue of how much parents should censor their children's media intake is ripe for debate, and I've thought about a lot, even now as I'm 26 and have no plans for children of my own. I grew up in the church, and most of the kids around me were closely monitored when it came to their entertainment. My parents weren't like that, though. My dad in particular always laughed at that. I remember when I was 16 he pointed out to me that the 2 most violent little boys we knew (they were 8) were also the ones most closely protected from watching anything violent by their parents.
I watched Friday the 13th and Pretty Woman when I was 7. I read a book meant for teenagers that was about sex when I was 9. My dad was the first to expose me to Mel Brooks, Monty Python and the Simpsons. None of that ever negatively affected me, so I'm not worried about kids playing "M" games (except that it means they get to invade Live chats!). That being said, I knew my mom disapproved of and worried about a lot of things I saw and read. When she found I had read that book about sex, she gave me a lecture and complained to the library. I think it is good for kids to know their parents care about what they're doing and seeing; it's one of those situations where a little parental resistance is good for kids. For example, I'm kind of appalled when I see parents bringing 7 or 8 year olds into R rated movies, but it wouldn't bother me a bit to know those kids watched that same movie on their own at home.
Anyway, funny, yet thought-provoking, article!
