DVD player for a 15 year old.

[wmengers]

Hi,

This is my first time here. I woke up this morning worrying about having just bought my 15 year old son a portable DVD player for Christmas. I tried talking him out of wanting one, as I am very against this type of pasttime for kids in general. Some is ok, but I know how things like this can become an obcession. "Everything in moderation", as my father used to say. My son had a brush with pornography earlier this year and my concern with the DVD is that the same thing can happen. I don't know enough about DVD's as far as, do the kids trade them (I'm sure they do), can you record them, are there pornographic DVD's floating around among kids (I'm sure the answer to that one is probably yes). Is this an ok idea with some restrictions (not sure how to enforce any restrictions as far as content is concerned), or is this just basically a bad idea for someone his age?

Any information or advice anyone can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou.

Sincerely,
Bill (a concerned dad)

 

[WesleyJohn]

Greetings in the Name of Christ,

First, let me welcome you to ChristianForums. It is a wonderful place full of people who love the Lord and love each other.

Second, let me tell you a brief bit about myself: I am a pastor, not a parent. However, I have been involved in Youth Ministry for the past 12 years, and have been connected with teenagers throughout that time.

Here are my scattered thoughts on the subject:

I'm sure he could access pornographic DVDs if he tried hard enough. I believe that some DVD players do have parental control functions, I don't know about the model you purchased, and I don't know how persisent he would be at trying to hack into it to unlock the restrictions. Also, bootlegged DVDs might not carry the necessary rating code to kick off the restriction. (If that made any sense.)

To answer your direct questions: Yes-kid's trade and pass around DVDs. Yes-there are pornographic DVDs out there. Yes-you can (although probably not with the model you purchased) record DVDs.

Personally, I don't think teenagers should have TVs in their room, let alone portable DVD players. The temptation is too high, and beyond that, it creates another escape mechanism to keep him from building relationships with his family and his friends.

I guess the bottom line here is this: You are the parent. He is the child. It's your decision, not his. If you are in the least bit uncomfortable, take the thing back and get him something else. There's always next year if you change your mind, or decide that he can handle it.

I hope that helps. Pray about it, and do what you feel God wants you to do. I'll pray for you today (and tomorrow) as the Lord brings you to mind.

Peace,

WJ

 

[FervidPrincess]

I think you may need to ask yourself how far do you trust your son? There are all types of ways to get porno type material out there...even for a 15 year old. If they are that determined to see porn...they will find a way. If you feel you can trust your son, then I say give it to him. My daughters are 13 and 14 and have their own computer, and their Dad and I trust them to use it without us around. They have not given us a reason to distrust them, and I dont believe they will. I have faith that they wont anyway. Maybe, if you show your son that you trust him, he wont let you down...try and see.Trust usually goes a long way with teenagers.

 

[sioleabha]

Personally, I would rather my kids have a DVD or video player in their rooms than just a TV. But my kids are young enough that I can set it up to only play movies (thus they can't watch broadcast tv), and I can control what movies they see.

Yes, you can record DVDs. In fact, there is a format of movie that can be burned off with a simple CD burner and played on DVD players. Yes, kids will trade DVDs just like tapes or CDs, especially considering how cheap and easy they are to make. And, yes, they can get ahold of porn.

The questions you need to ask yourself are, can I control what he sees with a DVD player in his room? Do I trust him to control himself? If the answer is no, then do not give it to him.

And remember, you don't need to convince him. You're free to give your reasons, but you're the parent. Just say no, and mean it.

 

[desi]

I'd get him a football or a BB gun instead.

 

[StandForTruth]

Hi,

This is my first time here. I woke up this morning worrying about having just bought my 15 year old son a portable DVD player for Christmas. I tried talking him out of wanting one, as I am very against this type of pasttime for kids in general. Some is ok, but I know how things like this can become an obcession. "Everything in moderation", as my father used to say. My son had a brush with pornography earlier this year and my concern with the DVD is that the same thing can happen. I don't know enough about DVD's as far as, do the kids trade them (I'm sure they do), can you record them, are there pornographic DVD's floating around among kids (I'm sure the answer to that one is probably yes). Is this an ok idea with some restrictions (not sure how to enforce any restrictions as far as content is concerned), or is this just basically a bad idea for someone his age?

Any information or advice anyone can give will be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou.

Sincerely,
Bill (a concerned dad)

My comments from a 15 year old point of view.. (no, I have no idea why I am reading this board)

Odds are that if your son really wants to view pornography, he already does, and worrying excessively is not going to change that. It really is pathetically easy to find such things for a reasonably bright individual.. especially with the internet.

I wouldn't worry about having a DVD player for those reasons alone. Now, if there are other reasons as well, perhaps, but certainly don't overreact on that count alone. Better by far to make sure that he understands why porn is wrong then to try and be a 24/7 nanny.. which he would likely resent as a sign of distrust. I know I would.