Thursday, July 31, 2014

Censorship And The Common Sense Alternative Media

By Miranda Sweeney


There is an agency working to assure that all media is age appropriate. The Common Sense Alternative Media and associated website provides parents a plethora of information. Often the organization may recommend alternative programming based on current popular titles. At others, programming can be edited to create a "clean" version without the drugs, sex and violence found in the original.

Acting as an advocate to children, teens, young adults and families, the organization works to educate parents and rate programming. Education consist of rating and reviewing a number of different apps, books, games, movies, periodicals, television shows and websites. Once titles are reviewed, a rating is given and if necessary, a parental warning label applied to the product.

The organizational website provides a great wealth of information. An "Editor's Pick, " section provides a list of what the website creators consider the best apps, books, games, movies television shows and other media which is updated regularly. Information on privacy and net etiquette can also be found on the site.

The Video section provides a number of reviews of movies coming soon to theaters and those which have already aired. In addition, individuals can watch a number of educational and advice driven videos upon request. These along with the parental blog make for a very active parental community on the website.

It is unfortunate that the organization almost came to an end after leaking information about Congress taking over the internet. Whether true or otherwise, stating something of this magnitude makes major news. The organization's response is that the intention was to wake up the American people as to how many freedoms are being stripped away on a an almost daily basis.

Censorship is, has and always will be a controversial issue. It is also an issue based on personal preference. When moving into the space of other human beings, it is still nice to be polite. Most often, one of the primary complaints is against people using bad language. If people can start behaving appropriately when in crowds of mixed age, size and race, it would be a far better world.

When it comes to sex and violence in apps, games, movies and television, it can often be hard to resist allowing children to play games or watch movies. This is why those involved with Common Sense Media have developed a database with alternative programming. Alternative programming can be an almost duplicate of an original, or similar in content and theme. The main difference is that it tells the story without the sex, drugs and rock and roll found in most programming.

When children are not exposed to drugs, sex and violence on television, focus often stays on fun. Children are known for acting out and repeating everything seen and heard at an early age. Unfortunately, when exposed to drugs, sex and violence on screen, these too are part of the act. It is up to parents to raise children in a way that is acceptable based on the environment and surroundings rather than society's expectations.




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