News
Television Keeps Getting Uglier
How much damage do you think it would do to a child if he witnessed at least 2 murders each day from the day he was born until he was 18?
Psychologists could work years to quantify and qualify that harm, and they probably should, because the average child actually sees that many murders – up to 16,000 by the time they are 18 years old – on television.
That’s probably why the viewership of Christian broadcasting has grown significantly in recent years, possibly as a balance for that figure, according to Tom Scott, President of Sky Angel (www.skyangel.com), a unique national network of more than 50 faith-based television channels and 20 faith-based radio stations. Scott believes that even secular households are tuning in, because they just need a change of pace from the steady diet or violence, sex and carnage offered up by secular TV.
“Secular television, if it is the only choice, could be extremely damaging to the moral health of our nation’s children,” Scott said. He cited recent research which showed:
- Sexual content appears in 64% of all TV programs, averaging 4.4 scenes per hour
- 54% of kids have a TV in their bedroom
- 44% of kids say they watch something different when they are alone than with their parents
- 60% of teens say they get their information regarding sex and sexual health from TV, as opposed to a healthcare provider or family member
“There is an opportunity to utilize television as a tool to reenergize our Christian values and convictions, to protect our families from the subtle messages of tolerance and acceptance of non-Christian values we see in today’s popular sit-coms, soaps, series and news channels,” Scott said. “Our Christian faith is under attack and our families are being desensitized to Christian principles of morality, integrity, commitment and faith. Television is being used as a tool to expand the liberal agenda and paint Christians as intolerant and ‘politically incorrect.’”
Scott quoted a recent study by Ellison Research that tracked the viewing habits of lay people:
- 64 percent watch Christian television
- 64 percent visit Christian websites
- 64 percent listen to Christian radio
- 60 percent read Christian non-fiction books
- 55 percent watch Christian movies
- 47 percent read Christian fiction books
- 44 percent read Christian magazines.
Some of Scott’s intuition also comes from his work at Sky Angel, which is a nationwide Christian-owned and -operated multi-channel television service carrying 50 Christ-centered digital television and radio channels, as many as 20 family, news and educational television channels, and an expanding library of many of the best faith and family Video On Demand titles.
“When you consider that more than 75 percent of the nation considers themselves to be people of faith, yet fewer than 3 percent of the viewing choices on cable and satellite services are faith-based, you can see why what we’re doing is relevant,” Scott said. “We’re not advocates of banning programs or boycotting what other stations have to offer. Our view is simple – if parents don’t like what their kids are watching, provide them with an alternative.”