Posted on 02/11/2004 7:02:31 AM PST by Colofornian
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's halftime stunt has focused public attention on MTV, the network that sponsored the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl. MTV's raunchy videos, however, are only a fraction of the network's attempt to influence our children, both on cable TV and on the Internet. As Focus on the Family's Plugged In magazine pointed out, MTV wields a stranglehold on American youth culture, a grip the network uses shamelessly to promote its own political and sexual agenda.
MTV's annual spring break, for instance, slips deeper into an ever-wilder celebration of hedonism, drunkenness and public nudity; MTV shows like Jackass, Celebrity Deathmatch and True Life continually push the limits of sexualized violence, nudity and obscenity on the airwaves; the network boasts that it has provided its own brand of sex education to millions of teens with its frank discussions of condom usage, STDs, abortion and homosexuality.
Many parents, concerned about MTV's unhealthy influence, block the network on their cable accounts. Those parents wishing to maintain an MTV-free home, however, may not be aware that MTV's Web site offers everything the television network does and much more, including:
* A "test your sexual knowledge" quiz riddled with incorrect information, including the announcement that condoms effectively prevent disease and pregnancy — but with no statistics on condoms' well-documented failure rate.
* Numerous links to youth-targeted sites promoting homosexuality, bisexuality and other unhealthy activities. One such site's FAQ features graphic how-tos for many risky sexual techniques — with no information about the potential dangers.
*A search engine to help teens find local abortion clinics, access to contraceptives or testing for sexually transmitted diseases, along with advice on doing all of these without parental consent or knowledge. * Frequent encouragement for teens to acquire and use "emergency contraceptives" — that is, the "morning-after pill" — if they've had unprotected sex.
* Information packets equipping teens to fight against abstinence-based sex education in their schools. Community features such as messages boards and personal profiles, many of which are indistinguishable from material posted on adult Web sites. For instance, one profile, posted by a 15-year-old girl, states "I'm not into S&M but I think that being held back in a little bondage is sexy. I luv to flirt. I'm currently unattached and looking."
None of this information is restricted in any way, which should especially concern parents — given that MTV's largest audience is 12- to 19-year-olds. Teens who sign up for personal profiles or to post on MTV's message boards are required to enter their age; in accordance with federal law anyone under 13 is not allowed to register. However, nothing prevents teens from falsely stating their age, and MTV makes no attempt at age verification.
Blocking MTV from the television is a smart choice, but there's another plug to pull: the network's Web site. Concerned parents should know that the media giant is also attempting to reach children online.
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