Media review websites

in Christian Living, Esther - Isaiah, LDS Living, Media, Old Testament / on April 14, 2012 at 12:46 pm /

Image by Fin Fahey

 

“Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that..stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil”

Isaiah 33:14-15

The footnote for this verse reveals that the “everlasting burnings” mentioned in this context is referring to “eternal life.” In order to be worthy of God’s presence, we need to be careful about what we see and hear.

While many people use movie ratings, those ratings are often biased by the movie industry.  For example even a PG movie may contain a substantial amount of sexuality, profanity and violence.

So how can we be sure to avoid the evil content that creeps into even the lowest-rated films? Here are three websites that have courageously taken a more conservative stand. They give detailed content reviews of thousands of movies and other types of media that can help us take more control over what we see and hear.

www.CommonSenseMedia.org

  • An amazing resource that started in 2003.  Very comprehensive. (My favorite of the three).
  • Provides content-based ratings for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books and music.
  • Provides detailed reviews for the following content: violence profanity, sexuality, consumerism, drugs, and positive messages/role models.
  • It’s completely free, but you can donate to the cause.

www.ScreenIt.com

  • Started in 1996.
  • Provides ratings for movies.
  • Reviews content for violence, profanity, sexuality, drugs, disrespectful attitude, music, etc.
  • Have to enter email to receive reviews via email.  Can subscribe to browse reviews for $8/month or $47/year.

www.Kids-in-Mind.com

  • Started in 1992.
  • Provides ratings for movies.
  • Reviews content for violence, profanity and sexuality.
  • Free, but you can subscribe for $25/year to have no chance of seeing an ad on their website.
Although the above websites can be extremely helpful in helping us to make wise media choices and to warn us of evil, we should also follow the counsel of our living prophets and rely prayer and the spirit to help us discern what content may be inappropriate.

“Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. . .Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable. Have the courage to walk out of a movie, change your music, or turn off a computer, television, or mobile device if what you see or hear drives away the Spirit.”

- “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet


My Opinion: If we choose media wisely, what we listen to and watch can uplift and strengthen us to face the challenges of life.  I’ve had some very edifying experiences listening to positive music.  Music influences my attitudes, and my attitudes determine the altitude of happiness and success I experience in this life.  There have been several times when I have been so uplifted by a film that I’ve cried with desires to follow God more exactly.

Share your thoughts