GRAMS - Creating a Positive Media Home

What Does Your Media Glorify?

Children learn habits very early. According to Dr. Marjorie Hagan co-author of the “American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations for Media Use”,  “A healthy approach to children’s media use should both minimize potential health risks and foster positive media use.” One method to evaluate all media is using GRAMS Rules, according to Kristine Paulsen, guest writer.
 GRAMS Rules
(Reminder from the AAP:  TV and other screens should not be allowed for infants and children under two years of age.) What video games/shows are young children playing and watching?
  G – Does it GLORIFY violence?  The National Television Violence Study found that nearly 40% of the violence in television occurs by the “good guys”. They found 71% of violent scenes without remorse, criticism, or penalty for violence. (Smith, et al., 1998, “Harmful effects of exposure to media violence: Learning of aggression, emotional desensitization, and fear. “
  R – Does it REINFORCE Violence?  This is important in selecting video games because they have the ability to directly reinforce violent behavior like killing, fighting, torturing, etc.  Violent video games directly reward violent behavior by giving points that allow advancement to the next level.  Often verbal praise is given when you kill someone. These games have the strongest effect on increasing aggression. Playing these violent video games was the second greatest predictor of physical aggression at school.
 A – ADD up total entertainment media; Minutes Matter include TV, Video Games, etc.  Families may want to keep a log for a week to find out how much time each member spends on media entertainment. This is often a wake-up call
  M –Does it MODEL violence? Does it teach players how to be violent and provide a model? Hundreds of studies have shown that children imitate what they see in movies, television, and video games, especially if the aggressor is similar in age or attractive. One study (Boyatzis) exposed elementary children to a single episode of the Power Rangers and then observed verbal and physical aggression in the classroom. Children who watched the violent TV program

What Does Your Media Model?

committed seven times the number of intentional acts of aggression, including: hitting, kicking, shoving, and insulting another student, than the control group.  These exposures teach that violence is a way of solving problems. 
S – Does it include SOCIAL or relational violence?  Some of the most serious bullying involves social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational or Indirect Bullying. Social bullying can include: leaving someone out on purpose, telling other children not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors about someone, or embarrassing someone in public.
  After monitoring all media with the GRAMS Rules, parents may wish to delete or turn off unacceptable media, monitor more closely, change activity options, and explain the reasons.
Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos 
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest