Raising independent thinkers is an ongoing process, but you can get started today.

The link between negative influences in the media and their real world affect on children is a hot topic. More than 1,000 studies conducted in the past 40 years conclude that there is a link between what kids are exposed to and how they behave.

Children are exposed to an onslaught of negative media influences, such as Grand Theft Auto (a violent video game linked to increased aggression in children) and The Golden Compass (from the children's book series "His Dark Materials" which promotes the author's atheistic worldview). Because even the most vigilant parents can’t possibly pre-screen every movie, play every video game, listen to every song and read every book that their kids have access to, today's kids need to "learn to discern" for themselves more than ever.

To discern is to perceive the true nature of something. When we teach children to discern for themselves we give them the tools they need to navigate the world around them and to steer themselves away from influences that can hurt them. The Bible suggests that the key to protecting children from the negative influences of the world is to teach them how to be strong, independent thinkers. Matthew 10:16 says to "be as wise as serpents" regarding the world around us. Paul tells us to "judge all things" (1Corinthians 2:15) meaning we should scrutinize every thing's spiritual value and moral implications. Teaching children discernment is a lifelong task, but you can get started with a few easy steps:

#1 Talk to Your Children about Negative Influences

This step is simple, but not always easy. Explain to your children that you are trying to protect them as much as you can from things that can hurt them, so you don’t want them to watch a certain program, listen to a particular artist, or play a specific video game. Explain WHY you are saying no. You can avoid a lot of resentment from a child if you take the time to explain why. Tell your kids that people who create (whether books, or music, art, or even video games) project their worldview onto their work. Explain that there is a Christian worldview, an atheist worldview, an agnostic worldview (and on and on) and that a person’s worldview “colors” what they say and do. Have your child try to figure out the worldview of their favorite writers and singers and encourage them to share their thoughts about this.

#2 Help Your Children Practice Thinking for Themselves

In order for children to develop their evaluation skills, they need to practice, so ask your children why they think something is "good" or "bad." By encouraging them to thoughtfully answer, rather than handing them the answer, they will begin to see for themselves the difference between positive and negative influences, and they will be on their way to learning to discern for themselves.

#3 Create a Discernment Plan to Encourage Independent Decision-Making

Develop a decision-making strategy for kids to use when you are not around to help them make choices. Create a list of questions that they can ask themselves or design a step-by-step process that will guide them through tough decisions. Brainstorm together a list of standards that kids can use as a basis for examining, analyzing and judging a situation so that they can make the best possible decision for themselves.

Although parents can't expect to protect their children from every negative influence in the world, by giving them tools to discern with they can teach children to protect themselves and to make better choices throughout their lifetimes.