Lisa Dunning, Marriage & Family Therapist
Parent / Child Relationship Specialist

How do parents increase their influence over the negative effects of mass media, the internet and the rest of the outside world?
by Lisa Dunning, MA, MFT

The increasingly competitive economy is creating an environment where parents are forced to spend longer hours at work and fewer hours with their children. As a result, outside influences have greater access and influence over our children then ever before. The internet and the media are bringing the outside world into your home; your child's peers; the influences on children from movies and the music they listen to are growing in importance and influence everyday, the negative effects of television violence to children, negative effects marijuana, cigarettes, alcohol and some of the heavier drugs are all having negative influences on child brain development. If you are like most parents, you cannot afford to decrease the amount of time at work to monitor their exposure. Therefore, the quality of time you spend with your child is critical to maximize your influence over the negative effects of the outside world.

What are the steps you can take to learn how to increase your influence over the negative effects of mass media, the internet and the rest of the outside world?

Some of the same outside influences that can serve to harm your child can be used to help your child.  Get on the internet or stop by the book store to educate yourself about parenting.  Learn the tools necessary to raise a happy, responsible and productive child in a loving, safe and nurturing environment.  Other parents are a terrific source of support and ideas to help increase your influence over the negative effects of the outside world.  Contact a psychotherapist in your area who offers support groups, parenting classes and seminars.  Be sure they are teaching useful parenting information.  Some topics to look for are Discipline vs. Punishment, Active Communication, Reflective Listening and “I” Statements.  

If you or your children are in crisis, contact a psychotherapist who can provide individual and family therapy to begin the healing process.  See my article: How to choose a therapist that's right for you.

Any of these articles by Lisa Dunning, Family Therapist may be re-published in hardcopy (magazines, newsletters or newspapers) or electronic format in websites, ezines or electronic newsletters provided the following resource box is included at the end of the article with a link to the URL