Media Shopping Guide from CMCH for 2011

This holiday season, your kids’ wish lists are likely to include media such as Mp3 players, video games, cell phones, and DVDs. How do you decide what gifts are appropriate?

When selecting media for your child, consider these suggestions.

If they ask for...

Video/Computer Games

• Consider... content. Educational games can be positive learning tools, whereas violent video games can increase aggression, increase fear, and decrease sensitivity to human suffering.
• Choose...a non-violent game. For example, choose a sports game instead of a first-person shooter. Use the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings as a guide to help you choose age-appropriate media.
• Set limits on the amount of time they play.

Movies

• Consider... content. Kids who see stars smoking are more likely to smoke themselves.
• Choose... movies based on a combination of MPAA ratings and parent reviews.
• Set limits on the amount of time they watch.

Cell Phones

• Consider... why your child wants or needs a cell phone.
• Select... a phone only if it’s appropriate for your child to have one, and make sure that whatever phone you choose is appropriate for your child’s needs. If he or she only needs the phone to contact you, consider getting one that doesn’t include lots of additional features.
• See related Q&A on Ask the Mediatrician: Should I give my 11-year-old the cell phone she wants?

Music

• Consider... content. Stereotyped portrayals of gender and race can give kids stereotyped views of themselves and others.
• Choose... music that you and your kids can enjoy together and that offers positive messages. Read parent reviews, or review the lyrics yourself by doing a web search for the artist and song name plus the word "lyrics."

Computers/tablet computers

• Consider... why your child wants or needs a computer or tablet. Know what these media do well and don’t do well, and make sure you’re introducing them to your children when they will benefit from them.
• Choose...the device that works best for your child. What’s intuitive for the child will vary, so if you decide it’s time for such a device, have your child test it before you buy.

Books

• Consider... content. Storylines in a book may be more palatable for children than a movie about the same topic, because children will only envision what their brains are ready to envision. But there are still books that kids aren’t ready for or that teach lessons (such as through stereotyped portrayals of gender and race) that you’d prefer they didn’t learn.
• Consider...age and ability. To maximize both learning and enjoyment, choose books that offer enough challenge to keep kids interested but not so much that they become frustrated.
• Choose...books that you and your kids can enjoy together and that teach what you want your kids to learn. Talk to your local librarian, read parent reviews, or review the book yourself by doing a web search for the author
• Check out Summer Reading lists posted by high schools and colleges often share great book lists for the, difficult to buy for, teen set. See this list
• Try giving a group of cousins or friends the same book to read to help build a family common connection, and discuss the book at your next family gathering

Media Creation Tools

• Consider... age and context. Younger children will be ready for different kinds of media creation than older children
• Choose...media that helps children create rather than just consume.

Ideas for younger children:

• Books that allow kids to finish or customize the story
• First digital camera

Ideas for older children and teens:

• ”How-to“ videos on any special subject (yoga, cooking, athletics)
• A still or video camera
• Speakers for MP3 players (too much time with ear buds may damage hearing)
• Music or video editing software
• Educational software
• Music production software

Homemade Media Gifts

• Consider... stage and content. Homemade gifts allow you to personalize gifts to the child rather than responding to the current toy trend.
• Choose... media that helps support the child’s interests and developmental stage

Ideas you can customize for kids of all ages:

• Video or DVD of the year’s home movies
• Story or video that makes the child a star
• Pair a homemade meal with movie tickets for your child and friends
• CD mix of their favorite songs or songs you liked when you were their age

>>See ideas for free gifts
>>See ideas for non-media gifts