What are kids learning from TV characters? A lot, it turns out. But even negative role models can open the door to a discussion of what is and isn't acceptable behavior. We've identified the worst offenders on TV and offer tips to channel their bad behavior into teachable moments.
At Common Sense Media, we help families make informed decisions about what to watch, play, read, and surf. But we're not immune to the guilty pleasures that some of these TV shows provide. While we're not suggesting that you start watching these shows, we think that you might want to seize the opportunity where it happens. And if that's in front of Gossip Girl, so be it.
10. Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), How I Met Your Mother
Why he's bad: He's extremely cavalier about dating and rarely sees women as anything besides the next notch in his belt.
Why it matters: In the media, women are still too often relegated to the roles of love interest, sex object, or selfless saint -- despite overwhelming real-world evidence to the contrary. When kids see sexual relations portrayed over and over, it reinforces gender stereotypes.
What you can do: Talk to your kids about strong female role models who've achieved success through hard work, intelligence, discipline, or business savvy. These can be everyday heroes -- like your child's teacher -- or famous women your family admires, or even a strong female character on television.
9. Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan (Eric Dane),
Grey's Anatomy
Why he's bad: By bedding a number of Seattle
Grace's staff and putting on the sleaze act every chance he
gets, he comes by his nickname honestly.
Why it matters: Adolescents who watch a lot of TV
with sexual content are
twice as likely to get pregnant or impregnate someone as kids
who watch fewer of these shows.
What you can do: Watching shows that include the
negative consequences of sex has been shown to be educational for
teens. Talk about preventing unintended consequences such as
sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, respecting
the opposite sex, and not taking decisions -- like having sex --
lightly.
8. Peter Griffin (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), Family
Guy
Why he's bad: He watches way too much TV, for
starters.
Why it matters: Too much screen time -- whether
it's the television, computer, or a game console -- contributes
to
childhood obesity and psychological distress.
What you can do: Turning everything off is the
obvious first step. But for families who can't quite cut the
cord, play active
games like Wii Sports Resort or Rock Band.
7. Naomi Clark (AnnaLynne McCord), 90210
Why's she's bad: Conniving, manipulative, and out
for herself, Naomi puts a chill in the hallways of West Beverly
that creates a nasty, negative atmosphere.
Why it matters: Kids now inhabit a digital world
where social networking dominates their lives. When kids bring
Naomi-like behavior to their online lives, it lowers the level of
discourse and can even lead to cyberbullying. [link to
cyberbullying tip?]
What you can do: Talk about
digital ethics and good online behavior to help kids use
technology in a positive and ethical way.
6. Michael Scott (Steve Carell), The
Office
Why he's bad: Born with his foot in his mouth,
he's so self-absorbed that he can't see beyond his own
ambitions.
Why it matters: Kids can be impulsive, applause-loving
ego maniacs, too. Combine that with today's technologies
(i.e. a webcam and a YouTube account), and they can easily
broadcast their talents -- or misdeeds -- to the world.
What you can do: Remind kids that whatever they
upload to the Web can be viewed by vast anonymous audiences,
including teachers and potential hiring managers. Channel kids'
creativity in positive directions to prevent them from pulling a
Michael Scott and doing something they may regret.
Want more? Get the top 5 on our list and tell us who you think is the worst role model on TV.
