Parents often ask whether a movie or show is appropriate for their children. But what if simply avoiding objectionable content isn’t enough?
On The Tim Glemkowski Show, Tim and his wife Maggie discussed how their family approaches media choices, beginning with a simple priority: limiting screens and encouraging reading. Books give children room to “imagine and create and wonder at the characters they’re encountering,” Maggie explained.
When the family does choose movies or shows, they look beyond whether the content is merely harmless. Tim summarized the approach in two steps: “The first step is: Is the content ethical, moral, anti-Christian? Then the second step is: Is it art?”
In other words, parents can ask whether a piece of media has purpose. Does it stretch a child’s imagination? Does it communicate something good, beautiful, or meaningful? Or is it simply filling time?
Their family has another practical rule: Everyone watches together. That means choosing something that can work for both an 11-year-old and a 3-year-old. More importantly, watching together makes media “more of a relational encounter” rather than an isolated experience on a personal device.
For Catholic families navigating a screen-saturated culture, that offers a helpful standard. Don’t just ask whether something is permissible. Ask what it is forming in your children and whether it brings your family together.
The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.