Need help!!! Offensive language in kids shows!

[TheLittleRoo]

My DS3 has started saying "Oh my God!", which is not spoken or tolerated in this house. Turns out, my DD6 is watching programming like Drake and Josh, ICarly, and the like, and they apparently talk this way often enough that DS3 is picking it up.

I have no idea which other shows also contain similar offensive language, but I suspect Hannah Montana, The Suite Life, etc are the same way. Is there a website or parents' site that gives parental reviews of content and language of tv shows? I am so disgusted that Nick and Disney would beam this kind of programming into kids' minds and homes. Right now, I have blocked Nick, Disney, and Nick Jr until I can sort out which shows run on which channels.

My dd6 flits around the house from TV to TV to get away from her brothers and watch tv alone, so she's been managing to stay under the radar up to this point but no more.

Just why on earth would the writers/producers feel like they need to include offensive language in kids' shows!?!! I am really outraged!

 

[lnh'smom]

We had the same problem with Drake and Josh. Our DS and DD were warned that if we heard it again from either of them, they wouldn't be allowed to watch it anymore. We haven't heard it since. I am not sure why they think it's okay to say stuff like that. There is no reason that they can't say something else!

 

[bumbershoot]

Why do shows include it? Well, probably because it's NOT offensive to everyone.

Since it seems you're a bit stronger than others about the words not allowed in your house, it would be a good idea for you to WATCH the shows with your children, or before they see them (do you have a DVR?).

We get bugged by that phrase, but only b/c it's a meaningless phrase to us, so it's silly when one of us brainlessly says it or says "thank god". I always ask whoever has said it "who is that?" So it's annoying when a show gives DS a phrase like that, but we aren't offended by it, b/c it means nothing to us.

Since it means something to you, your kids don't get to watch TV by themselves anymore.

Also, I have found that telling my kiddo "remember, we don't say (or do) that" is a good way to remind them that although others might get to say or do something, he doesn't. Of course, that leads to fun conversations in grocery stores...

 

[Elmo888]

Check out commonsensemedia.org. It doesn't talk specifically about what you mentioned (I just looked up iCarly to see if it mentioned the type of language that you talked about), but it does give an age rec and goes into detail about what might or might not be offensive.

I just find that sometimes, if there is a question, you have to sit and watch the show. I watched Hannah Montana twice to see if I would let DD8 watch it. After two or three offensive things in each episode (I don't think that I made it through), I have kept it off the tv.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

I'm pretty sure Hannah Montana and Raven etc don't use that phrase BUT my kids don't watch Drake and Josh, Icarly, Zoe101- so i can't vouch for those, I honestly haven't noticed it in HM, Raven or suite life though- DD10 informs me they almost do but it gets changed to goodness, gosh- other such things, Hannah Montana is all sweet nibblets and "say-what?"

 

[mom22princessesL&S]

The only cartoons that my girls (7 & 4) watch are the PBS cartoons and DVD's. We do not get Disney or Nick and although my 7yr. old sometimes feels like she is missing out on things her friends get to see, I don't feel bad at all. Hannah Montana is a show about high schoolers and their life situations. I certainly wouldn't let my girls be involved in the dramas of high school kids on a personal level and I don't think they should be watching it on t.v. either. The same goes for High School Musical. My girls do not need to be "in love" with anyone at their ages and they don't need to be concerned with boyfriends. I feel that these shows are marketed to a way too young audience and is causing our kids to grow up to fast.
Sorry for such a long ramble, but I feel very passionate about this issue. It's a hard line to walk to keep your kids "normal" compared to other kids and to also keep them innocent.
I love that my 7yr. old cares more about Reading Rainbow than Hannah Montana.

JMHO

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Yup, I'm the lax parent in this one. I actually only let my DD watch the Disney channel because the other channels have commercials!!!! I HATE hearing "I need this" from watching ads. We have been really lucky with DD because if she has a questions whether DH or I would consider something "appropriate" (her word!), she whispers it to us before repeating it. DD loves Hannah and High School Musical and I'm okay with that because it's really the dancing/singing she enjoys- not the lovey dovey plot lines.

 

[mom22princessesL&S]

PBS kids has no advertisements.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Yup, I'm the lax parent in this one. I actually only let my DD watch the Disney channel because the other channels have commercials!!!! I HATE hearing "I need this" from watching ads. We have been really lucky with DD because if she has a questions whether DH or I would consider something "appropriate" (her word!), she whispers it to us before repeating it. DD loves Hannah and High School Musical and I'm okay with that because it's really the dancing/singing she enjoys- not the lovey dovey plot lines.

My daughter (age 10) is all about the singing and dancing part too! She really can't get her head around why some of her friends want boyfriends but she has taken it upon herself to learn the HSM soundtrack on her flute so can't be all bad! (her brothers and sister are thoroughly impressed she can play alot of the little einsteins music too ) To be honest I've never overly worried about what they are hearing on TV as they're raised well, they know what is acceptable for us as a family (and that extends to every area of life- they don't expect to be able to say/do something because their friends do) and hopefully if i'm doing my job right as a mom then televisions isn't going to drive them far from where we're hoping to get as a family- it might give them a few annoying habits we have to correct along the way but no long term, damage.

 

[NotUrsula]

You might want to write to the show's producers and sponsors and let them know that that phrase (OMG) might be considered offensive by large numbers of viewing households. There is a STRONG possibility that the writers might not be aware of that.

My child is in parochial school and has been taught by the school that that phrase is swearing. 35 years ago when I went to parochial school we were NOT taught that it was swearing, and I personally had no idea that some people considered it to be so until my child called me on it.

I still don't think that it is swearing, but that's my personal opinion, naturally.
I tend to use the phrase when I realize that I have done something really disastrous, like losing a credit card.

 

[MightyMom]

We say "Oh my Gosh" in our home.

I'm very cautious about what I allow my children to watch. Even some "kid" movies are off limits to my kids.

Before I allow them to watch any movies I go to the focus on the family website (family.org) and read the reviews.

I think they might have a section for TV shows, music and games as well.

I love the way they break down the movies by: Language, Spiritual Content, Sexuality, and Other negative influences.

Hope that helps.

 

[Elmo888]

PBS kids has no advertisements.

Hooey! What about all that stuff at the beginning and ending of the shows ("Cheerios is a proud sponsor of PBS kids")? DD3 recognizes those products.

 

[mom22princessesL&S]

I don't think "proud sponsor" qualifies as a "you have to have this" Nickelodeon advertisement. I think it shows companies that are proud to sponsor good wholesome television for kids.

By the way, the issue here is not advertisements it is what is appropriate for young children to be watching and hearing on t.v.

 

[tinkbutt]

I have never heard Hannah montana or any other disney program say this I know they usually make up there own ways of saying this like " sweet nibblets! "

but I do believe television is getting a bit iffy for kids look. they are now allowed to say several bad words its just not ok

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Just tell your kids not to use those words. I am sure they will hear them from other people even if you don't watch tv. OMG is used by many. They will hear swear words from people too. My kids know what they are not allowed to say no matter where they hear it. Just keep re-enforcing what you find acceptable.

ETA- I don't find OMG to be offensive.

 

[Minnie_me]

I object more to the attitude of some of those characters on Disney shows than the words that come out of their mouths. They are rude to their siblings and classmates, and they plot to deceive their teachers and parents.

Actions speak louder than words.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I've now blocked the entire Nick and Disney channels on my TV set, and do you know what? The picture is blacked out but the audio still runs! Huh??!!?

My problem is I have a DS13, DD6, and DS3 who of course have wildly varying interests and capacity for filtering. DD6 is more "aware" of middle school life because she hears her brother talking about it and watches his shows. To be honest, we are on the money makeover and were just talking about cutting budgets by cancelling the cable tv service anyway. We parents never have time to watch, and my kids could watch PBS online or on DVDs. I do enjoy Discovery Health, but I could easily give that up.

As far as using OMG, yes I was raised that this was more heinous than any of the other obscenities (other than g-d@ammit) because it was taking God's name in vain. We say oh my goodness in our house, but I have one pollyanna friend whose daughter was raised to say "Oh my poodles!" which cracks me up.

The problem is that DS3 is at a very hard age to correct a habit. He doesn't understand why he can't say that word and he says it a couple of times a day. Almost as soon as he says it, he freezes and says "Sorry" "Oh my goo-ness Mommy". But it just ticks me off that I'm correcting this thanks to Nick and Disney.

Thanks for the links - I checked out commonsensemedia, and will check out family.org too. Aren't there sites too where you can buy or rent edited DVD's with the bad parts cut out? My kids want to see PG movies that seem good but need tweaking but I thought I recall there being a lawsuit over the copyrights to the film.

 

[Goofy'slady]

I have two girls ages 10 & 3 and they absolutely love those shows, I've checked all of them out and I will admit to loving Hannah Montana. I can tolerate Drake & Josh and the Suite Life but that ICarly I can't take only cuz I find the little girl and the show annoying. All of a sudden my 3yr old started to say OMG and my husband and I (even big sis) would have to tell her not to say that and after a while it worked. But what I couldn't figure out for the life of me was where she got it from, I honestly thought about what hubby and I were saying around the house and I know my husband doesn't say OMG and I usually say things like "SWEET MOSES" or "OY VEA"(sp?) and big sis says nothing really she does give the "what the heck" look but only in a joking kind of way. Then one day my very best friend was over (oh, who am I kidding, she's over here atleast twice a week) and she saw something on TV in the living room and she said OMG and I ran into the living room and said "that's where she got it from" to which I had a mini conversation with BFF and she apologized and since then has stopped using that pharse and our 3yr old has stopped saying OMG.

My point is while there is a ton of stuff on TV that can influence our kids beyond their years our kids pick up so much from outside sources too. Before you bann each and every Nick and Disney show sit down and watch them yourself and then you'll know which ones use words and display actions you don't want brought into your house.

T.

 

[noahdove]

Mightymom, I do like you and go to Focus on the Family website to check out what I am concerned about..My daughters are grown and have their own homes, I always told them if I heard them say something that I disappoved of..If they said OMG, they never said it around me...I have a little girl that stays with me 2 days a week and she was going to watch something that I didn't approve of, and she said she could at home..I said she couldn't watch it here, so now she doesn't even question me when I tell her she can't watch something..I do watch tv with her now , just to be on the safe side...good luck

 

[PrincessBride010103]

...If you blocked Nick, Nick Jr, & Disney Channel...exactly what are your kids going to watch? Now they're probably watching adult shows which say much worse things than OMG...sounds like cutting off your nose to spite your face to me. Not trying to be snarky....just sayin...