During World Communications Day last May, Pope Benedict wrote that children should be informed properly to use the media responsibly. He wrote:
Educating children to be discriminating in their use of the media is a responsibility of parents, Church, and school. The role of parents is of primary importance. They have a right and duty to ensure the prudent use of the media by training the conscience of their children to express sound and objective judgments which will then guide them in choosing or rejecting programs available. In doing so, parents should have the encouragement and assistance of schools and parishes in ensuring that this difficult, though satisfying, aspect of parenting is supported by the wider community. (BENEDICTUS PP. XVI, 2007—Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
I know that parents today have much to do and that their time is taken up with maintaining a decent family living. Children are the priority. Their television and internet time should be monitored. Moreover, parents should educate them positively about what is available, guiding them to discern that which is morally good. Truth, goodness, and beauty are uplifting, while violence, crudeness, and pornography are degrading. The Holy Father said:
Any trend to produce programs and products—including animated films and video games—which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behavior or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programs are directed at children and adolescents. (ibid)
Yes, how perverse it is when the entertainment industry tries to mislead, entrap, and seduce children. It is plain evil. Purveyors of indecent entertainment seek only profit wihout concern about the harm that they are causing. May they learn what responsible programming is and practice it.
The media has not only a responsibility to children, but to adults as well. Appealing to the baser instincts leads nowhere except to evil thoughts, words, and deeds. A responsible media would make a kinder, more respectful, and better world.
Fr. Stanley
