Rather we tolerate it or not. We have a new type of mentor in the world. It’s media. Our new generation of kid’s actions are now being influenced by media. Depending on the games they play and the shows they watch. Media is all around us with lots of messages. But do we really think that media is a good mentor?

Media could be a great mentor. With its inspirational stories (news) and it’s important messages. Kids can learn by these messages and these stories. For example, on the news they told the story about Nelson Mandela (the late). The story on Nelson Mandela is an inspiring story. Kids in their teens and tweens that watch the news and hear this story, could develop a new role model and seek to be just like Mr. Mandela and follow in his footsteps mimicking his actions such as fighting for freedom and liberation for his people (hopefully while staying out of jail).

What about those shows on Tree house or Family channel. Tree house has shows for very young children. Of course we used to watch those shows when we were as young. All those shows have a moral and little children may learn from these morals. For instance, kids could learn the act of sharing, caring, loving, and other skills. There could also be a commercial on TV like those Crest Oral toothpaste commercials. Kids may learn the importance and the effects of brushing their teeth! The popular show for youth, for example, is the Family channel; most kids of our age have watched the shows and probably can tell their favourite show/s. For the older youth as well, the news can always feed their knowledge of every situation going on in the world around them.

Although media as a mentor could have some benefits, media may not be the best influence upon youth. Particularly, it is not wise for young kids to watch shows that involve older and more mature youth such as teenagers. They may see some cool teens smoke and think, that they will smoke so they can be cool too. What if there is a story on the news of a child who ran away from home. Will they think in their mind that it is alright to run away from their homework, chores, and ‘stress’? They could see shows about beautiful girls with make-up on, and immediately want to wear make-up everywhere they go and erase their natural look. What about violence? Drugs influences, and other bad stuff shown on these shows or movies? Of course some shows are rated by ages of audience. But frankly speaking sometimes such limitations don’t real work, as kids or people may chose to disregard that age limitation or parental guidance.

The conclusion is, media could be a good mentor if youth watch the shows appropriate for them and they understand what’s appropriate to watch, and what is not. The main mentors should always be the grownups including your parents and older siblings. If you are a parent, a full-grown, or an older sibling then be the best example you can and the best role model you can. You can be the best mentor there around! Who’s your best mentor?

Venus Wambura