Hi everyone! Thanks for joining us. I’m Tali, and I’m here with Jamie from Common Sense. Today, we’re going to talk about how to choose great content for your family. Our main goals are to help you understand why picking high-quality media is important and to think about what matters most to you when choosing this content.
Let’s start by looking at the different ways we use media. We can break it down into three types:
Now, let’s talk about how to choose media for kids as they grow. Instead of just focusing on how much time kids spend online, think about how the media helps them learn and grow. For younger kids, make sure the content is right for their age. Some themes, like violence, might not be suitable for them.
Also, consider what your child is interested in. If they love dinosaurs or playing outside, find media that connects to those interests. This can lead to fun conversations and learning experiences. Lastly, think about the educational value. Does the media help your child learn new skills, like writing or communicating?
Here’s an example: I have a friend whose 10-year-old loves baking shows. They watch these shows together and even started a small baking business. This is a great way to use media to support her interests and learn new things.
At Common Sense, we review and rate different types of media, like movies. For example, there’s a Disney movie called “Encanto.” When looking for quality content, we check for things like positive role models and diverse representation.
When I look at “Encanto,” I want to see diverse characters and make sure there’s no scary or violent content for my kids. This helps me make a good choice.
We also review social media apps, YouTube channels, video games, and more. You can search for specific titles on Common Sense Media. We have lists of high-quality content that have already been checked out.
If you’re not sure where to start, Common Sense selections can help you find engaging and quality content.
Thanks for joining us today! Check out our other video series on topics like family media agreements and social media. Feel free to ask any questions in the chat!
Explore different types of media around your home. Identify examples of passive, interactive, and creative media. Share your findings with the class and discuss why each type is important.
Keep a diary for a week, noting down the media you use each day. Reflect on how each type of media makes you feel and what you learn from it. Share your insights with your classmates.
Choose a topic you love, like dinosaurs or baking, and create a piece of media about it. This could be a short video, a comic strip, or a digital poster. Present your creation to the class.
Pick a movie, game, or app and evaluate it using criteria like positive role models, educational value, and age-appropriateness. Share your evaluation with the class and discuss whether it is quality content.
In groups, role-play as media critics. Choose a piece of media and discuss its pros and cons. Present your group’s review to the class, highlighting what makes it suitable or unsuitable for kids.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi everyone, thank you so much for joining us! I’m Tali, joined by the wonderful Jamie, and we are from Common Sense. Today, we’re going to talk about selecting quality content for your family. Our primary goals for the next 10 minutes are for you to understand why it’s important to select high-quality media for your family and to think about what criteria matter most to you and where you can find this content.
To kick things off, let’s consider the different ways we interact with media. We’ve broken it down into three areas: passive media, interactive media, and creative media. Passive media includes mindless scrolling on platforms like Instagram or binge-watching shows on Netflix. Interactive media could involve video calls or playing video games. Creative media involves creating something new, such as making a family album or designing a game.
Now, I’ll turn it over to Jamie to discuss some considerations when choosing media for your kids as they grow older.
Absolutely, Tali! As we think about quality content, we want to invite you to reframe your perspective. As a parent, I often focus on the amount of time my kids spend online. For example, I might say to my daughter, “You’ve been on that device for 30 minutes.” Instead, we should consider their developmental growth. If you have younger children, think about how they process the world through media. Is the content appropriate for them? Exposure to certain themes, like violence, can have different impacts depending on their age.
We also want you to consider your child’s interests. Does your child enjoy dinosaurs or playing outside? When you connect media to their interests, it can lead to meaningful offline conversations. Lastly, think about the educational value of the media. If your child is learning to write or developing communication skills, how does the media reinforce those skills?
Tali, do you have any examples from your own life regarding these considerations?
Yes! I have a friend whose 10-year-old has become really interested in baking shows. They’ve been watching these shows together and even started a little baking business. This is a great way to use media to support her interests and provide educational value.
Now, let’s discuss what this looks like in practice. At Common Sense, we provide ratings and reviews for various media, including movies. For instance, there’s a popular Disney film called “Encanto.” When looking for quality content, we consider aspects like positive role models and diverse representation in the film.
Tali, what would you look for in “Encanto” to ensure it meets your quality standards?
I’m definitely looking for diverse representations. I want my kids to see positive portrayals across different backgrounds. Given their age, I’m also cautious about violence and scary content. If I check for those aspects, I can make an informed decision.
Absolutely! We also have ratings and reviews for social media apps, YouTube channels, video games, and more. If you’re looking for specific titles, you can search for them on Common Sense Media. For proactive selections, we have curated lists of high-quality content that have already been vetted.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the Common Sense selections can be a great starting point for engaging with quality content.
Thank you all for joining us today! We invite you to check out our other video series, including sessions on family media agreements and social media.
Now, we’re happy to take questions. Please feel free to ask in the chat!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language, unnecessary filler words, and personal anecdotes that may not be relevant to the main discussion.
Media – Media refers to the various means of communication, such as television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, that reach or influence people widely. – Example sentence: “The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and keeping people informed about current events.”
Content – Content is the information and experiences that are directed toward an end-user or audience, especially in digital media. – Example sentence: “Educational websites provide a lot of content that helps students learn about different subjects.”
Kids – Kids are young children or young people, often referred to in the context of learning and development. – Example sentence: “The library has a special section with books and activities designed just for kids.”
Learning – Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Example sentence: “Learning about different cultures helps students understand and appreciate diversity.”
Interests – Interests are activities, subjects, or hobbies that capture a person’s attention and curiosity. – Example sentence: “Students are encouraged to explore their interests to discover what they are passionate about.”
Skills – Skills are the abilities or expertise needed to perform tasks or activities effectively. – Example sentence: “Communication and teamwork are important skills that students develop in group projects.”
Quality – Quality refers to the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence. – Example sentence: “The quality of a student’s work can improve with practice and feedback.”
Characters – Characters are the people, animals, or beings in a story, play, or movie that take part in the action. – Example sentence: “In English class, we analyzed the characters in the novel to understand their motivations.”
Examples – Examples are specific instances or cases that illustrate a concept, idea, or rule. – Example sentence: “The teacher gave several examples to help the students understand the new math concept.”
Communication – Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, or feelings between people through speaking, writing, or other mediums. – Example sentence: “Effective communication is key to resolving conflicts and building strong relationships.”
