Mickey Mouse Morals

Blog Blog Blog Bloggy time! Hey guys! Fun facts: 1. I'm going back to school next semester 2. I'm going to the Regina Spektor concert this week and 3. I got new glasses! Alright let's get to the topic quick, okay?


Brothas and Sistas! As upstanding, church-going folk it is our duty to regulate what is being shown on our televisions and computers! Seriously though, can you believe how fast standards in the media are slipping? I don't mean standards in terms of quality or amount of entertainment (though that could also be argued), but in terms of morals. Publications on the TV, movie, and computer screens are, on average, of less moral virtue than ever before. Here is a short list of instances I've noticed that led me to that conclusion:

• Characters on networks aimed at children (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, etc.) are taking the Lord's name in vain and dressing more scandalously than they did ten years ago. (Think Lizzie Maguire vs. Hannah Montana) (If you've got a strong stomach)
• Most of the recent PG-13 films that have come out include at least one time saying the f-word. (Even Julie & Julia?!?!?!)
• The MPAA (people who provide ratings on movies like R, PG, etc.) has changed the wording on some previews from "approved for all audiences" to "approved for appropriate audiences." This means that previews aren't necessarily rated G, like they used to be. Read about the unannounced change
• YouTube has protections so that someone under the age of 18 doesn't see a pornographic video, but nothing to warn or to protect children from seeing a video that includes lewd or profane language
• Beautiful music has the f-word! Seriously I've been listening to Belle and Sebastian lately and am appalled by how often they swear in otherwise delightful songs. Besides bands, there are some awesome musicals that swear way too much. I wish I could listen to the soundtrack from Next to Normal or RENT without worrying about which songs swear and which don't

That list turned out a bit long. Sorry. If you don't think that this is a problem, then don't bother reading the rest of this entry. I wonder who made the decisions to make so much vulgar and profane material so accessible-- especially to children. Yes I understand the issue of censorship and freedom of art. But one aspect of parenting that I'm dreading is the necessity to always know exactly what my children are watching and what material they will be exposed to. 
"Isn't there something we can do, Scott?" Yes there is! Thanks for asking. You can go to this website to contact networks about the content they are showing on TV. To say something to YouTube about the content that is shown without warning or content-rating go here. 
I hope this blog hasn't been too preachy, but I did warn you. Please seriously consider what standards are important to you and make them known to the people in charge. It's our role as the viewers and consumers of the media to let them know what we like and don't like about what is being produced. Please comment and tell me if you agree, disagree or are undecided and why. Let's get the discussion rolling. My next blog will be more uplifting and entertaining, I promise! Catch you next time right here, Internet-explorers.