MynTop
05-16-2008, 08:00 PM
TV Viewer's Guide: Teens
Influencing what your teenagers watch on television just isn't the same as it used to be. For one thing, they're far more likely to be in front of a TV, as well as a computer, with friends these days. In addition, there isn't that same easy-to-identify block of programs headed up by the likes of Big Bird anymore. And to complicate things even further, while some shows are more appealing to youth than adults, quite often teens are selecting from the same long list of cable and network programs as you are. Teens have more TV choices than ever before, and because of this can benefit from your guidance. You will want to steer them toward programs that...
Introduce them to scientific discoveries
While all shows have the potential to get viewers thinking, some shows make it almost impossible not to. Even the most jaded teen may get interested in the career of an earthquake hunter, the secrets of exploding volcanoes or some of the other mysteries explored on the long-running Nature (http://pbs.org/nature) series. Fantasy and science fiction fans may tune into National Geographic's Strange Days on Planet Earth (http://www.pbs.org/strangedays/), a new four-part series that highlights scientific research on four global mysteries in ways that will convince any teen that truth really is stranger than fiction.
Encourage investigation of other cultures and times
Many adolescents are caught up in shaping their own identities; the right documentaries, such as those featured on Independent Lens (http://www.pbs.org/independentlens) and POV (http://www.pbs.org/pov), can help them make connections between themselves and other people, places and events. Another alternative for teens who can't get enough of shows like CSI or Law and Order is to expand their horizons with shows like History Detectives (http://www.pbs.org/historydetectives/), which uses modern technology and investigative techniques to offer surprising insights into our nation's past.
Focus on art and people who make it
Right now your teen is probably more interested in The O.C. or Coldplay than in Masterpiece Theater (http://pbs.org/masterpiece) or Great Performances (http://pbs.org/gperf). It is not uncommon for teens to be well versed in popular culture and less familiar with more formal forms of creative expression, like theater, dance, literature and fine art. However shows like Austin City Limits (http://pbs.org/austin) can encourage teens to explore the creative roots of their favorite art forms.
Explain how to do something new
Teens often seek out new experiences and ways of distinguishing themselves from their family and peers. How-to shows that demonstrate what is required in acquiring a new skill, from preparing a meal to managing personal finances, can be a helpful part of a teen's self-discovery. Cooking Under Fire (http://pbs.org/cookingunderfire), Everyday Food (http://pbs.org/everydayfood), and Woof! (http://pbs.org/woof) (about dog training) can help teens develop skills and self-esteem.
Offer an alternative to network reality shows
The irony behind the reality TV craze is that most of these shows are set in a world that doesn't resemble reality at all. If you have a teen who's hooked on The Bachelor or The Real World, try introducing her to another kind of reality. Shows like Frontier House (http://pbs.org/frontierhouse) (set on the Montana Frontier in 1883), Colonial House (http://pbs.org/colonialhouse) (set in a 1628 colony) and Ranch House (http://pbs.org/ranchhouse) (set on an 1867 Texas Ranch) introduce teens to a world beyond their familiar surroundings, while providing all the intrigue and personal dynamics that have made the reality genre a success. Exposing your teen to a woman trying to cook, clean and care for children in a house without running water or electricity will give her a new perspective on what it means to be a desperate housewife. If your teen is more of a Fear Factor or Amazing Race fan, she might like Rough Science (http://pbs.org/roughscience), which transports a team of five scientists to remote locations and leaves them to complete a series of tasks with only rudimentary tools.
Feature characters who have full lives and healthy relationships
The early teen years are a crucial time for development of healthy self-esteem and social values, so guide your teen toward shows that explore a range of positive human values. Teens who watch too many TV shows or video games that feature violent or selfish messages may develop an "I don't care" attitude. Combat such indifference by introducing them to a new kind of American Idol: The New Heroes (http://pbs.org/thenewheroes) profiles 12 daring people from around the world who combat poverty and illness and bring education and opportunity to marginalized groups.
Offer rich news and information
People's opinions and understanding of the world often are a reflection of their sources of information. The richer the sources, the wider and deeper the base of knowledge. Seeking out multiple programs, like Frontline (http://pbs.org/frontline) and Newshour (http://pbs.org/newshour), that cover current events and present teen issues without pandering to them or treating them like a group to fear or avoid, can get teens in the habit of asking questions they might not otherwise ask. The Frontline episode Merchants of Cool (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/), for example, examines advertising and youth culture.
Are free of commercial content
Shows that are free from commercial messages and interruptions allow the focus to be entirely on the programming. Teens have both the ability to enjoy commercial-free programming and appreciate how it is an alternative to what is more commonplace. All of PBS's programs are examples of where and how this is possible.
Influencing what your teenagers watch on television just isn't the same as it used to be. For one thing, they're far more likely to be in front of a TV, as well as a computer, with friends these days. In addition, there isn't that same easy-to-identify block of programs headed up by the likes of Big Bird anymore. And to complicate things even further, while some shows are more appealing to youth than adults, quite often teens are selecting from the same long list of cable and network programs as you are. Teens have more TV choices than ever before, and because of this can benefit from your guidance. You will want to steer them toward programs that...
Introduce them to scientific discoveries
While all shows have the potential to get viewers thinking, some shows make it almost impossible not to. Even the most jaded teen may get interested in the career of an earthquake hunter, the secrets of exploding volcanoes or some of the other mysteries explored on the long-running Nature (http://pbs.org/nature) series. Fantasy and science fiction fans may tune into National Geographic's Strange Days on Planet Earth (http://www.pbs.org/strangedays/), a new four-part series that highlights scientific research on four global mysteries in ways that will convince any teen that truth really is stranger than fiction.
Encourage investigation of other cultures and times
Many adolescents are caught up in shaping their own identities; the right documentaries, such as those featured on Independent Lens (http://www.pbs.org/independentlens) and POV (http://www.pbs.org/pov), can help them make connections between themselves and other people, places and events. Another alternative for teens who can't get enough of shows like CSI or Law and Order is to expand their horizons with shows like History Detectives (http://www.pbs.org/historydetectives/), which uses modern technology and investigative techniques to offer surprising insights into our nation's past.
Focus on art and people who make it
Right now your teen is probably more interested in The O.C. or Coldplay than in Masterpiece Theater (http://pbs.org/masterpiece) or Great Performances (http://pbs.org/gperf). It is not uncommon for teens to be well versed in popular culture and less familiar with more formal forms of creative expression, like theater, dance, literature and fine art. However shows like Austin City Limits (http://pbs.org/austin) can encourage teens to explore the creative roots of their favorite art forms.
Explain how to do something new
Teens often seek out new experiences and ways of distinguishing themselves from their family and peers. How-to shows that demonstrate what is required in acquiring a new skill, from preparing a meal to managing personal finances, can be a helpful part of a teen's self-discovery. Cooking Under Fire (http://pbs.org/cookingunderfire), Everyday Food (http://pbs.org/everydayfood), and Woof! (http://pbs.org/woof) (about dog training) can help teens develop skills and self-esteem.
Offer an alternative to network reality shows
The irony behind the reality TV craze is that most of these shows are set in a world that doesn't resemble reality at all. If you have a teen who's hooked on The Bachelor or The Real World, try introducing her to another kind of reality. Shows like Frontier House (http://pbs.org/frontierhouse) (set on the Montana Frontier in 1883), Colonial House (http://pbs.org/colonialhouse) (set in a 1628 colony) and Ranch House (http://pbs.org/ranchhouse) (set on an 1867 Texas Ranch) introduce teens to a world beyond their familiar surroundings, while providing all the intrigue and personal dynamics that have made the reality genre a success. Exposing your teen to a woman trying to cook, clean and care for children in a house without running water or electricity will give her a new perspective on what it means to be a desperate housewife. If your teen is more of a Fear Factor or Amazing Race fan, she might like Rough Science (http://pbs.org/roughscience), which transports a team of five scientists to remote locations and leaves them to complete a series of tasks with only rudimentary tools.
Feature characters who have full lives and healthy relationships
The early teen years are a crucial time for development of healthy self-esteem and social values, so guide your teen toward shows that explore a range of positive human values. Teens who watch too many TV shows or video games that feature violent or selfish messages may develop an "I don't care" attitude. Combat such indifference by introducing them to a new kind of American Idol: The New Heroes (http://pbs.org/thenewheroes) profiles 12 daring people from around the world who combat poverty and illness and bring education and opportunity to marginalized groups.
Offer rich news and information
People's opinions and understanding of the world often are a reflection of their sources of information. The richer the sources, the wider and deeper the base of knowledge. Seeking out multiple programs, like Frontline (http://pbs.org/frontline) and Newshour (http://pbs.org/newshour), that cover current events and present teen issues without pandering to them or treating them like a group to fear or avoid, can get teens in the habit of asking questions they might not otherwise ask. The Frontline episode Merchants of Cool (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/), for example, examines advertising and youth culture.
Are free of commercial content
Shows that are free from commercial messages and interruptions allow the focus to be entirely on the programming. Teens have both the ability to enjoy commercial-free programming and appreciate how it is an alternative to what is more commonplace. All of PBS's programs are examples of where and how this is possible.