Wtf? Seriously...

[littleone77]

I am warning all you sex crazed pervs now that this is a serious topic that isn't sexual. Sorry to disappoint

Anyhow, here we go.........

I was watching tv the other night, around 6 pm I believe it was. A commercial came on which featured children under the age of 10 who were disussing a topic in a rather serious tone. The topic was terrorism. At first I thought it was another talk to your parents about drugs, sex, or alcohol but it wasn't. The message was in a nut shell was to not only talk to "your" parents about it but also ask and formulate an emergency plan in case of a terrorist attack.

This has bothered me ever since I saw it. I cannot get it out of my mind. I keep getting this mental image of school children covering their heads, hiding under the desks back in the 50s and 60s in case of a nuclear attack. Only this time we are a child about 5 years hold in a bath tub playing with rubber ducky asking his parents about terrorism. Is this what we are heading towards? Frightening our children with commericals on terrorism? Or has it gotten to the point were our children are no longer bothered by the prospect? Have they already accepted at their young age that terrorist attacks are a part of their life?

Yes I realize ignorance is not the way to go. I am not suggesting we keep them blindfolded on the topic but there is no point in scaring them. Any terrorist attack plan would basically be the same as a firedrill or a torando warning. If it happens it happens, there will probably be very little warning and there is nothing that can be done about it. Not only that, but small children are never left alone so some adult will be around in such a case.

So why is the Department of Homeland Security talking to young children in a commerical specifically designed for them about something which gives even the sanest adult panic attacks?

Plus...it is the right of the parent to start such a conversation if they even want to.

*sighs of frustration* Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

 

[Cathleen]

Interesting. I have seen what amounts to a generic 15 second PSA that stresses "Are you ready in case of an emergency?" I don't have a problem with that message but what you're relating sounds age inappropriate.

Is it sponsored by the HLS or 'the gov'? How long was the message? I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. It doesn't sound like a good approach at first thought.

 

[spyro1123]

I got into a big debate with a co worker who was annoyed that I pointed out that statistically cars are a much bigger danger to americans than terrorists...

 

[littleone77]

Interesting. I have seen what amounts to a generic 15 second PSA that stresses "Are you ready in case of an emergency?" I don't have a problem with that message but what you're relating sounds age inappropriate.

Is it sponsored by the HLS or 'the gov'? How long was the message? I'll have to keep my eyes open for it. It doesn't sound like a good approach at first thought.

It was basically set up like a "ask your parents about smoking" commercial. That is what scares the crap out of me. It was designed for and aimed at children. Its about a two minute commercial I am guessing with no adults. Just children talking about terrorist attack plans and talking to their parents about it.

I am almost positive that its government sponsored since in the right hand corner of it at the end I saw the insigna for it and the homeland website address.

I realize they are trying to make people aware of terrorism and the possiblities of an attack but I honestly believe children should not be a part of it. It something which should not concern them. Just call it a fire drill. Afterwords...if there is an afterwords...Then explain it. It shouldn't be brought up in a tv commercial.

 

[littleone77]

I got into a big debate with a co worker who was annoyed that I pointed out that statistically cars are a much bigger danger to americans than terrorists...

ROFL.

Isn't that the kicker? And we certainly do not have a color coded system to point out how dangerous it is on the roads today or what the likelyhood of an accident.

Next thing you know, there is going to be a commercial telling children to ask about car accidents.

Our children are growing up entirely too fast. They need their innocence in this world for as long as possible.

 

[spyro1123]

ROFL.

Isn't that the kicker? And we certainly do not have a color coded system to point out how dangerous it is on the roads today or what the likelyhood of an accident.

Next thing you know, there is going to be a commercial telling children to ask about car accidents.

Our children are growing up entirely too fast. They need their innocence in this world for as long as possible.

people are paranoid about all kinds of silly things.

 

[littleone77]

people are paranoid about all kinds of silly things.

Not to digress from my topic...but I am paranoid about fire.

*goes off to make a public service annoucement*

 

[Samael]

I think it is age inappropriate. And I know that Americans as a rule watch more TV then we really should, but why this topic on TV. If the gov is that worried then they shoukd start a program like in the late 50's & 60's where it all starts in the school and someone is trained to present it to the children and be able to answer the questions that will arise in a manner and age appropriate format. I mean please, the gov tries as hard as it can to make us scared of terrorism, and they themselves are at fault for most of the acting terrorist factions and refuse to admit to it. (Sorry a little rant there.)

Anyhow, something we should prepare for, but not on public TV during family time showing. Do you remember what network it was?

 

[littleone77]

I think it is age inappropriate. And I know that Americans as a rule watch more TV then we really should, but why this topic on TV. If the gov is that worried then they shoukd start a program like in the late 50's & 60's where it all starts in the school and someone is trained to present it to the children and be able to answer the questions that will arise in a manner and age appropriate format. I mean please, the gov tries as hard as it can to make us scared of terrorism, and they themselves are at fault for most of the acting terrorist factions and refuse to admit to it. (Sorry a little rant there.)

Anyhow, something we should prepare for, but not on public TV during family time showing. Do you remember what network it was?

I agee and thank you Dunchad.

At least with a school program it wouldn't come out of the blue. Children would know it was coming and trained personal would be there to handle it. This...a child could be playing with barbie and all of a sudden terrorism is on tv. And what is worse, another child is telling them about it. Bed time should be fun after that.

What I am also wondering is how did the children that participated in the commercial react to it?

It was one of the bigger networks...Either ABC or CBS. I think it came on after a ceral commercial actually, lol.

 

[Cathleen]

I realize they are trying to make people aware of terrorism and the possiblities of an attack but I honestly believe children should not be a part of it. It something which should not concern them.

I agree, this is a subject for adults. I'm not crazy about laying it on the schools though. Having been an elementary school teacher there is already a big chunk of responsibility heaped on that previously was taught at home and by example in our communities.

If the word 'God' can't be said in schools I can just hear the outcry if terrorism is brought into the school curriculum and the word 'Muslim' is mentioned. It's a subject that we have to address but it's painfully obvious as seen in the last 7 years we are at war with ourselves.

I will definitely watch out for the ad. I'm already wanting to write to HLS without seeing it. Why can't we let kids stay kids -- even though they want to grow up so fast.

 

[Marshal_Nash]

As a father and someone headed in to the field of education the idea of this commercial seems more damaging to children that a weekend with Michael Jackson. It would seem to me that the government official responsible for this probably worked at one point for a tobacco company, because the flagrent use of targeting children to deliver your product smacks of big tobacco companies. "Get em while their young, because the adults are getting wise." I am so glad I cancelled my cable and my daughter just watches the same Blues Clues dvd over and over again.

 

[littleone77]

I agree, this is a subject for adults. I'm not crazy about laying it on the schools though. Having been an elementary school teacher there is already a big chunk of responsibility heaped on that previously was taught at home and by example in our communities.

If the word 'God' can't be said in schools I can just hear the outcry if terrorism is brought into the school curriculum and the word 'Muslim' is mentioned. It's a subject that we have to address but it's painfully obvious as seen in the last 7 years we are at war with ourselves.

I will definitely watch out for the ad. I'm already wanting to write to HLS without seeing it. Why can't we let kids stay kids -- even though they want to grow up so fast.

Terrorism is discussed to a degree in regular school curriculms because of its historic and current event value. It wouldn't take much to bring in an what if factor. But again, even that would have to be done delicately. Children are never on the same maturity level and what bothers/makes sense to one, won't to another.

I have an equally bad feeling about that all Muslim school in NYC. I think it is a wonderful idea but I can see so many acts of violence directed towards it. People get caught up in their own wars and forget about children which haven't done anything wrong to deserve such treatment as harrassment, death or rape in the first place.

Personally I am just hoping they do not air it during afterschool programs or Saturday morning cartoons. At least in the evening there is a good chance that some may not catch it. I did though and I'm not even in the targeted age group, lol.

 

[littleone77]

As a father and someone headed in to the field of education the idea of this commercial seems more damaging to children that a weekend with Michael Jackson. It would seem to me that the government official responsible for this probably worked at one point for a tobacco company, because the flagrent use of targeting children to deliver your product smacks of big tobacco companies. "Get em while their young, because the adults are getting wise." I am so glad I cancelled my cable and my daughter just watches the same Blues Clues dvd over and over again.

I think that Blues Clues could have delivered this topic in a better, healther manner than the US department of Homeland Security's commerical.

There is a basic blueprint for info commercials now in regards to children...You get it at their level with children of the desired age group and start a conversation with them that continues onto to the desired parent.

I am beginning to believe they are crossing the line. Drugs, alcohol, and underage sex is fine. Helpful to society in fact but when they begin to bring up nightmare topics like terrorism it is time to stop. Children are sponges. We do not need them to be soaking up fear of an invisible factor.

 

[Cathleen]

You're so right LL, as a society it seems when we move away from heterogeneous, diversified grouping we open ourselves to that violence that would be sure to occur against a Muslim school, or other similar programs.

My comment about school comes from the elementary level. I wonder how the topic is handled in NYC elementary schools... what a nightmare for them.

I'm very glad you posted about this, I probably wouldn't have known otherwise. Protecting children is something of an obsession with me.

 

[Cathleen]

As a father and someone headed in to the field of education the idea of this commercial seems more damaging to children that a weekend with Michael Jackson. It would seem to me that the government official responsible for this probably worked at one point for a tobacco company, because the flagrent use of targeting children to deliver your product smacks of big tobacco companies. "Get em while their young, because the adults are getting wise." I am so glad I cancelled my cable and my daughter just watches the same Blues Clues dvd over and over again.

I chuckled at the Michael Jackson comment but you're on target with the affects this might have on kids.

I wish you luck with your education endeavours. It's a wonderful field with amazing benefits for our insides.

 

[littleone77]

You're so right LL, as a society it seems when we move away from heterogeneous, diversified grouping we open ourselves to that violence that would be sure to occur against a Muslim school, or other similar programs.

My comment about school comes from the elementary level. I wonder how the topic is handled in NYC elementary schools... what a nightmare for them.

I'm very glad you posted about this, I probably wouldn't have known otherwise. Protecting children is something of an obsession with me.

Imagine the poor kid who lost a parent in 9-11 and saw the commercial.

I haven't been able to stop thinking of it since it happened. Posting it was my way of hopefully getting it out of my system and perhaps warn those with children to be on the look out in case it pops up. If the child is paying attention there is going to be questions and concerns. Parents need to have answers...or at least say the right thing so the child is scared to death.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

I have not seen the commercial in question so I will reserve comment on how appropriate or inappropriate it may be.

Risk is what we perceive it to be. Automobiles are FAR more deadly to the population at large than handguns or terrorists. But because we use and see and work around automobiles day in, day out, we're far more complacent about them. We know cars. Phhht! Big deal!

Most people are scared to death of handguns because they don't handle them day in, day out. They don't see them, smell them, hear them, feel them, work with them. Handguns are strange, unknown, alien to their lives. Therefore, handguns are scary. Just like terrorists. *sighs* Anything we don't know is scary, or, if it smells good, it's edible maybe? It's part of that reptilian hind brain thing still going on.

Let's arm people, ban automobiles, and in 2 generations, no one will be afraid of guns, and everyone will be afraid of cars. And trying to eat tires.

 

[littleone77]

For Geoff:

http://www.hostpic.biz/uploads/15317a507e.jpg​

http://www.hostpic.biz/uploads/339c6baab3.jpg​

 

[Marshal_Nash]

I have not seen the commercial in question so I will reserve comment on how appropriate or inappropriate it may be.

Risk is what we perceive it to be. Automobiles are FAR more deadly to the population at large than handguns or terrorists. But because we use and see and work around automobiles day in, day out, we're far more complacent about them. We know cars. Phhht! Big deal!

Most people are scared to death of handguns because they don't handle them day in, day out. They don't see them, smell them, hear them, feel them, work with them. Handguns are strange, unknown, alien to their lives. Therefore, handguns are scary. Just like terrorists. *sighs* Anything we don't know is scary, or, if it smells good, it's edible maybe? It's part of that reptilian hind brain thing still going on.

Let's arm people, ban automobiles, and in 2 generations, no one will be afraid of guns, and everyone will be afraid of cars. And trying to eat tires.

I am not sure I understand why people would be trying to eat tires? Are people trying to eat things they are afriad of now? This is very confusing.

 

[Noor]

the flu pandemic is more probable, if not a certainity, in most children's lives than terrorism, and its something everyone should be preparing for.

However, I don't think commercial aimed at children are the way to go with either subject.

 

[Kylan]

I am warning all you sex crazed pervs now that this is a serious topic that isn't sexual. Sorry to disappoint

Anyhow, here we go.........

I was watching tv the other night, around 6 pm I believe it was. A commercial came on which featured children under the age of 10 who were disussing a topic in a rather serious tone. The topic was terrorism. At first I thought it was another talk to your parents about drugs, sex, or alcohol but it wasn't. The message was in a nut shell was to not only talk to "your" parents about it but also ask and formulate an emergency plan in case of a terrorist attack.

This has bothered me ever since I saw it. I cannot get it out of my mind. I keep getting this mental image of school children covering their heads, hiding under the desks back in the 50s and 60s in case of a nuclear attack. Only this time we are a child about 5 years hold in a bath tub playing with rubber ducky asking his parents about terrorism. Is this what we are heading towards? Frightening our children with commericals on terrorism? Or has it gotten to the point were our children are no longer bothered by the prospect? Have they already accepted at their young age that terrorist attacks are a part of their life?

Yes I realize ignorance is not the way to go. I am not suggesting we keep them blindfolded on the topic but there is no point in scaring them. Any terrorist attack plan would basically be the same as a firedrill or a torando warning. If it happens it happens, there will probably be very little warning and there is nothing that can be done about it. Not only that, but small children are never left alone so some adult will be around in such a case.

So why is the Department of Homeland Security talking to young children in a commerical specifically designed for them about something which gives even the sanest adult panic attacks?

Plus...it is the right of the parent to start such a conversation if they even want to.

*sighs of frustration* Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

Speaking as someone whom as a child witnessed our home being searched by the military with regularity, and as an adult witnessed the horror on both my sons faces on 9/11, I personally find it difficult to form an opinion one way or the other on your thought provoking OP, littleone77.

As a child, I so desperately wanted to know the reasons as to why the world was so chaotic, and felt I had a right to know what caused these huge events in our lives.

But as a parent, I so very desperately wanted my children not to know the world is chaotic, but the advent of 24hour media coverage of every disaster meant that was never going to be a plausible aim. My main quarrel with 24hour media coverage is that a young mind may not appreciate what they are watching is perhaps footage shot many hours before, and view what’s happening on screen as still taking place, and so it becomes a seemingly endless, horrific moment in time.

I personally feel that regardless of how careful we are about the amount and explicitness of the footage our children see, media coverage, and our own responses as adults to atrocities, will always mean children know something is amiss. So all I can really do is ensure that they feel free to talk openly about their fears, and reassure them that their own personal world will remain safe.

@>,-'Kylan,-'​

 

[littleone77]

I personally feel that regardless of how careful we are about the amount and explicitness of the footage our children see, media coverage, and our own responses as adults to atrocities, will always mean children know something is amiss. So all I can really do is ensure that they feel free to talk openly about their fears, and reassure them that their own personal world will remain safe.

@>,-'Kylan,-'​

*nods*

Exactly Kylan. It is the responsibilty of a parent to create such an environment. If it is not already in place I highly doubt a a tv commercial is going to help matters.

Children have the right to know but there is a time and a place for it.

 

[pleaz_me]

I haven't seen the commercial as of yet either ... but it definitely sounds age inappropriate. Unfortunately children are growing up mentally at a much faster pace than we ever did. It's sad when we have to talk to our kids at a younger age about sex, drugs, alcohol ... and now terrorism *sighs*

 

[keiffers]

my only opinion on this is that the world is a changed places from when most of us were kids. I know I still can't fully fathom just how close human beings came to completely obliteriating ourselves with the Cuban Missle Crisis.

maybe one day humans will finally learn that being jerks to each other solves nothing - we can only hope