What does American Idol, Dora the Explorer, & Mickey Mouse have in common?
… They are included in the top most watched television shows among preschoolers. Yep, you guessed it. According to Neilson ratings, the #1 show most preschoolers watched in 2007 was…
Are you ready for this?
American Idol!
I couldn’t believe it when I first read it myself. Then I thought about it for a second and it began to make sense why kids would be drawn to the reality show.
1. Kid’s love singing and music
2. The excitement and the action of the show is high energy
3. Their parents are into it and kid’s love anything their parents love.
Now, I don’t want anyone to misconstrue my position here. I’m not endorsing American Idol, nor am I in anyway condoning it as a children’s show. I’m merely discussing a topic that is affecting kid culture.
Whether we like it or not, our kids today are plugged in to the world around them and the television shows and movies that are “the thing.” Even those who are being raised without a television are not completely immune to the cultural impact of TV and movies. I’ve observed this first hand and know the realities of it.
I’m not condoning it. But neither am I ignoring it.
Apparently American Idol is a big hit in kid culture. Last year over 40 million kids, ages 6 – 11, cast their ballots in Nickelodeon’s “Kid’s Choice Awards” and named the pop reality series “Favorite Show.”
But not all kids are in favor of such a label. Deagle, age 13, notes “Just another stupid, meaningless pop star 10 year old girl show…”
He may be right.
Glinda, age 10, had a completely different opinion “I LOVE this show! It's exciting and suspenseful!”
Whatever your take on Idol is, one thing is clear; Simon and the gang are moving to the next round in kids lives.
So, can this enigma of kid culture be used to convey some Biblical truth? Well, probably not directly since I wouldn’t consider anything Hollywood puts out as a medium for conveying anything Biblical.
However, a play off the title, and a reference to something kids are into, may work.
… They are included in the top most watched television shows among preschoolers. Yep, you guessed it. According to Neilson ratings, the #1 show most preschoolers watched in 2007 was…
Are you ready for this?
American Idol!
I couldn’t believe it when I first read it myself. Then I thought about it for a second and it began to make sense why kids would be drawn to the reality show.
1. Kid’s love singing and music
2. The excitement and the action of the show is high energy
3. Their parents are into it and kid’s love anything their parents love.
Now, I don’t want anyone to misconstrue my position here. I’m not endorsing American Idol, nor am I in anyway condoning it as a children’s show. I’m merely discussing a topic that is affecting kid culture.
Whether we like it or not, our kids today are plugged in to the world around them and the television shows and movies that are “the thing.” Even those who are being raised without a television are not completely immune to the cultural impact of TV and movies. I’ve observed this first hand and know the realities of it.
I’m not condoning it. But neither am I ignoring it.
Apparently American Idol is a big hit in kid culture. Last year over 40 million kids, ages 6 – 11, cast their ballots in Nickelodeon’s “Kid’s Choice Awards” and named the pop reality series “Favorite Show.”
But not all kids are in favor of such a label. Deagle, age 13, notes “Just another stupid, meaningless pop star 10 year old girl show…”
He may be right.
Glinda, age 10, had a completely different opinion “I LOVE this show! It's exciting and suspenseful!”
Whatever your take on Idol is, one thing is clear; Simon and the gang are moving to the next round in kids lives.
So, can this enigma of kid culture be used to convey some Biblical truth? Well, probably not directly since I wouldn’t consider anything Hollywood puts out as a medium for conveying anything Biblical.
However, a play off the title, and a reference to something kids are into, may work.
Something like “America’s Idle: A lesson on laziness” is a very relevant issue for kids today who are accustomed to video games, iPods, and the internet.
Hey, kids don’t even have to walk anymore. Now they have Heelys!
So…….
While American Idol tops the charts among kids – teaching that success comes through talent, appearance, and popularity. It might be a good time to remind the kids that true success in life comes through living for God and working hard.
“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.”
- Proverbs 19:15 -
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