Movies
Unlike other forms of media, parents can have greater control over the movies their children watch.
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Unlike TV, we have greater control over the movies we view and more information at hand to make wise choices. Some tips for the family media guardian:
- Don’t rely on MPAA ratings. PG-13 films can include anything from a few obscenities to scenes bordering on the pornographic. You’d think Scooby-Doo (PG) would be without problems, but it gave a nod-and-wink to drinking and drugs. Even some G-rated movies may be too intense for younger children — remember the flying monkeys in Wizard of Oz?
- Find a reliable movie review source and vow not to see any movie without checking it out first. This Web site provides an archival listing from Clubhouse, where younger kids can begin to look up reviews on their own. Plugged In Online reviews movies aimed at teens from a biblical worldview.
- When in doubt about a new movie, either 1) don’t go, 2) see the movie yourself first and take the kids later, or 3) wait for the video release and preview it.