Making Informed Media Choices

Updated 3/24/2020.

Today's post is about sites we have found to help parents make informed decisions about what media they allow their kids to consume.

1) The Dove Foundation. "The Dove Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage and promote the creation, production, distribution and consumption of wholesome family entertainment. We are supported primarily by donations from families such as yours who want to move Hollywood in a more family-friendly direction."

They give great reviews that tell you specifics about objectionable material.


2.  Common Sense Media. "Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.

We exist because our nation's children spend more time with media and digital activities than they do with their families or in school, which profoundly impacts their social, emotional, and physical development . As a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, we provide trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the media they consume."

They probably have the broadest selection of media to choose from, including games and books.

3. Movieguide."MOVIEGUIDE® was founded in 1985 by Dr. Ted Baehr, past president of the Episcopal Radio & Television Foundation and former director of the Television Center at the City University of New York. A graduate of high distinction in Comparative Literature from Dartmouth College, Dr. Baehr received his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, where he served as the editor of the NYU Law School Newspaper.

MOVIEGUIDE® is affiliated with the Christian Film & Television Commission® ministry (CFTVC), also founded by Dr. Baehr, which is a non-profit ministry of Good News Communications, Inc. Both MOVIEGUIDE® and CFTVC are dedicated to redeeming the values of the entertainment industry, according to biblical principles, by influencing industry executives and artists and by informing and educating the public about the influence of the entertainment media and about how to train their families to become media-wise, so they can choose the good and reject the bad."

4. The Internet Movie Database. Many of their movie pages have parents' guides on the menu just above the title of the film. (You usually have to click "MORE.") These guides are written by other users of the site. They can be helpful for older movies especially because most of the other sites are busy reviewing new movies.