Decision Time

The next time your child wants to watch, read, or listen to something that turns you off, consider two points before making a decision. First, ask yourself why you object to the content. Does the message conflicts with your values, or are you reacting to something new and unfamiliar to your generation? Next if the medium is a book or movie with a scene or theme that you find questionable, think about using it as an opportunity to introduce to your child a difficult topic like racism or mental illness before she gets sketchy information about the subject from her peers.

However if the entertainment clearly violates your moral and ethical beliefs, it shouldn't be allowed in your home. Discuss your decision with your kids so they understand your objections, even if they don't agree with them. Hopefully they'll take those lessons with them when they're away from home and have to think for themselves.

"You can't lock them in a cage," Dr. Taylor says, "But you can protect them until they're old enough and arm them with the tools they need. Teach them how to use pop culture instead of being used by it."