I'm not a huge t.v. watcher to begin with, but I used to always watch the news. Growing up, my parents always watched the news, and we would watch with them. In the car, either a game was on, or the news.

That said, I stopped watching years ago. I will turn it on from time to time, but almost always end up turning it off after a few minutes of horrific images & stories. I read the paper every morning, and I check the online news headlines during the day, where I have the choice of how deeply I want to be immersed in any particular story.

I do not have the news on if my kids are around, though my oldest boys do watch when they choose as they are 18 and 21. I just find it way too much horror, and very little hope and wonder at what point it really became unwatchable. Maybe post-9/11?

DH and I always did watch the news, but the last couple years just don't have time to sit and watch it all. About 2 or 3 weeks ago I watched it, I just had nothing to do and it was TERRIBLE!! Everything was rape, murder, catastrophe, anything else bad you can think of!? I actually got depressed watching it, there wasn't anything good or even useful to me except the weather and stock market update that I get on the computer every night anyway. I don't know how people can watch all of that every night and I would never have my kids (they are a little small for it anyway) watch it. If anything I watch the 1/2 Katie Couric sort of show now.

Good topic!

And PS my kids know about current events, elections, sports, etc but only what I tell them right now.

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

We do not watch ANY TV news shows (or a LOT of other TV shows; we keep a close eye on program parental ratings... kids) but DH and I read the news online and talk with our children about what we think they are mature enough to hear about and/or would be interested in.

The kids and I have a no news policy. With Dh in Iraq we find it easier to get through our days without the daily reminder of all the injuries and deaths.

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Nicole

My parents just encouraged me last night.

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yes, I do.

dd7 - no, but my two teenagers, definitely. Especially during election season, particularly *this* year, there is so much to talk about. Not to mention history in the making!

Sandy

My two youngest just turned 18 so they are a bit more interested in the election stuff. I watch it at 6 because most nights I'm out by 11...lol

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I used to watch it alot...not so much now. I just don't have the time. Besides, most of it is so depressing. I get most of my news online. ~Lisa

I remember watching as a child and it scared the heck out of me sometimes. Especially since I didn't pay enough attention to know if it was local news or further away.
My boys don't watch hardly any t.v. Even if they wanted to watch the news, I don't think I would let them. The t.v. news is sensationalism journalism. It is ridiculous. Especially our local news. They use "key" words to catch your attention and turn a simple media piece into something it really is not.

I found the metropolitan news way too celebrity focused or depressing with just murders, etc. Now we watch just very local news or the BBC news to catch the world news. So much world news is never discussed even on "world news tonight", lol.

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I remember that there was some sort of kids' news station/website - anybody use it or know about it?

My kids are about 10 and under, so I'd like them to be "informed" without being shown more than they need to see...

Anyone?

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

We do watch it. My dds are 12 & 14. I don't encourage them to watch it, but I don't shield them from it either. They say it's boring. I say it's informative. Occassionally something will catch their interest or attention and they'll ask about it and I'll talk about it with them, but usually they ignore it.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I watch the news, local and national, as well as BBC. Also subscribe to 3 newspapers. My kids have always watched with me, and continue to do so now (DD 18 and DS 16). We always discuss news that interests us all, and while we don't always agree on things (but we do most things) we enjoy discussing the news. Of course, they are both very very involved and invested in this election as are many more young people than ever. Both have volunteered at campaign headquarters.

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My kids are older, so not sure about what's out, but if you Google kids news, you will find a lot, and maybe you will like some. I found one from Scholastic which seems nice. I remember in grade school reading the Scholastic news. Here's the link: Scholastic News Online, America's Leading News Source for Kids | Scholastic.com

My older kids are very well-informed & involved with the voting process.

If there is news I think I should share with the younger ones, I do. I just find the imaging on t.v. so overwhelming for my kids. I screen t.v. and movies very carefully.

I do know some of their friends have no limits on their t.v. or movie choices. Every family finds different things work for them.

I think a lot of it has to do with the age of your children, also. I know we used to have a lot more limits than we do now. Mine are 12 & 14 - middle school & high school. So things have loosened up a lot at our house.

Lisa

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