Screen Recommendations
Digital content can be divided into four categories. Enriching material is clean, inspiring, and usually educational. Neutral content is clean, fun, and entertaining. Vapid content is entertaining but has questionable value. Pernicious material is unhealthy. Examples include pornography, graphic violence, and horror. It takes a toll on emotional and spiritual health over time.
I recommend that we steer our children to primarily Enriching and Neutral content. It is important that we keep our own content clean if we are going to ask our children to do the same.
It can be difficult to find trustworthy shows that are attractive enough to keep our children’s attention. Here are my top 4 recommendations that are both fun, engaging, and teach us important lessons about God, the Bible, and sacrificing for others.
The Chosen
If you haven’t yet watched The Chosen, what are you waiting for? It is the best depiction of the gospel that I have ever seen (although the Passion of the Christ is also incredible). This inspiring, griping show brings the words of the Gospel to life in a way that makes Jesus relatable and accessible. Some scenes are too intense for young children such as the demonic possession of Mary in the first episode, and when Jesus casts out demons in other episodes. My youngest at 5 yrs old was bored at times and struggled to follow the story. The rest of us cannot get enough and we are delighted that the 4th Season is coming out at long last. You will inevitably grow closer to Jesus and develop a greater interest in the Bible by watching this show.
Superbook
Superbook is a time travel adventure featuring a young boy and girl and their robot. They are transported into Bible stories in which they must take part in a Biblical mission. These episodes run 30-40 minutes. They are well produced, funny, and interesting. My entire family enjoyed them and asked for them frequently.
Torchlighters
Watch inspiring real life tales of Christian heroes who sacrifice their lives to spread the faith and help the downtrodden. These cartoons have been interesting and inspiring for our whole family including our 6 year old up to our 11 year old sons. I myself am excited to watch the next episode. These cartoons get me thinking about my life’s mission. There are some short displays of non-graphic violence. The evangelists suffer imprisonment, torture, and even death. The more extreme suffering takes place off screen. I would recommend watching with your children to be able to explain and answers their questions about such mistreatment. The production value is admittedly mediocre but the takeaway message more than makes up for it.
Hey Yo
Affectionately know as “Hey Yo” because of the characters’ greetings, these are short, sweet stories from the Bible. These 3-5 minute cartoons give funny and poignant looks at the Gospel. They make quirky sounds and movements that get us all laughing and replaying the moment. This is a great, easy way to get a touch with Scripture when you don’t have much time and/or attention spans are short. The whole family can enjoy these shows.
Part of our motivation in viewing these Biblically based shows is the fact that getting a touch with scripture at least 4 times per week decreases the likelihood of addictive, destructive, and unhealthy behavior. There is research that shows a strong correlation between the frequency of engaging with Scripture and the growth of character and self-control. If we want to raise healthy children, getting them a dose of God’s Word several times per week is the most effective way to do so.
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