INFLUENCE OF MEDIA ON THE LIFE OF YOUTH AND CHILDREN
A seminar was conducted for the children and Youth on "The Influence of Media on the Life of Youth and Children". Fr. Melwin O.C.D. was the resource person. He began the day by asking the children and youth to enumerate all the means of communication they have at home and which they use regularly. The youngsters very enthusiastically replied by sharing with all the gadgets they use namely: Mobiles, Internet, Television, Ipods, Computers, FM radios, Laptops, etc. He then picked up a few of these and asked them to raise their hands if they use that particular means of communication. Mobiles, Computers and Internet ranked the highest.
Fr. Melwin then proceeded to explain the positive and negative effects of the media in their lives. Among the positive aspects he said that the media can be used for various good reasons namely: to gather information, to bring together people, to educate, to build relationships, to contact people withing seconds, to see the beauty of creation, to know the latest developments, to know the various issues in soceity and respond accordingly, to enjoy, etc. He then spoke of the negative aspects namely: it promotes violence, pornography, aggression, fantasy seems reality, imitation, hero worship, spread evil, etc. The youngsters too were asked to contribute to the positive and negative aspects which they have seen or encountered for themselves. They were came up with varied points which were enlightening.
In the last session Fr. Melwin explained how the media could be used to build oneself and others. He said that the media could be used to bring happinesss in the lives of those who are sad, Bible quotes can be sent for reflection, people can be informed immediately when anything takes place in the parish or the surrounding, one can counsel people, build relationships, remove prejudice, encourage, congratulate, send SMS or emails about character building......
The day ended with the youngsters taking a firm resolution to use the media and the God given gifts for the self-growth and to help others and thus be a part of building the Kingdom of God.
The whole day was very creatively organized by means of talk, action songs, group sharing, brain storming, taking resolution, jokes, newpaper cuttings.... It was a day of learning with fun. The youngsters were very happy and went back resolved to use the media in a more responsible manner. The parents of the youngsters too were happy as most of things, which they wanted to admonish their children but could not do it, were all taken up by Fr. Melwin.
The Socom-baroda would like to thank Fr. Melwin for preparing the youngsters for the India Communication Day.
Congratulations! Great job. wish you all the best. Hope to see you all in Sindhudurg.
ReplyDelete