Teens and iPods

Me, Tempe, currently no kids in the house -- but who knows who will be crashed out in the spare bedroom when I wake up in the morning.

Are you old enough to have heard the song, "Afternoon Delight?" It came out around the time we hit junior high, and one of my friend's Moms didn't like for us to listen to it. Yeah, we knew what they meant by "Afternoon Delight", but the lyrics were vague enough that we could attach our own, more G-rated, interpretation. Even Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell didn't confirm that anyone had actually hit a home run.

Unfortunately, some of today's "artists" don't leave anything to the imagination. I'd argue that that constitutes bad art, if I could find someone who wanted to have that conversation.

For teens living under my roof:

Do you have to approve what they download?

Absolutely. I'm not going to get blue in the face if there's a bit of inappropriate language, but lyrics that are sexist, racist, homophobic, or in any other way hateful aren't going to get sung in my house.

Do they use their own money?

Of course. It's entertainment. Entertainment comes out of discretionary income, or via gifts from generous adults who like you (and whom you have properly thanked).

Do you check their iPod?

Yes. And, if I find a song that I object to, I replace it with a number of others. Big band. Broadway. Peter, Paul, and Mary. Simon and Garfunkel. Mozart. Do you know how much music actually fits on those things?

Do you think it's none of your business?

When did teenagers suddenly decide that they had the right to privacy? That iPod will be mine if there are songs on it that you don't care to share.

Do you believe music is generally pretty harmless?

Have you been to church? Music is extremely powerful.

Do you have music rules: like when they can listen or for how long?

It's fine to listen to music any time, except when you are supposed to be paying attention to something else. The ear buds come out at the dinner table. The decibal level has to be reasonable; if I can hear the music bouncing off your skull, it's too loud.

What if they are listening to music you deem inappropriate? What do you do?

The first time, erase the inappropriate music. The second time, well, do you really want to see what's going to happen the second time? You could be the only kid at school with Johnnie Cash: the Lifetime Collection on iPod.

My soon-to-be 15-year-old says music is her life and she always has earphones on. I have to say it doesn't bother me because I remember doing the same thing. When I got my first Walkman, I thought life could get no better. Her birthday is next week and we are planning on getting her one of those pre-loaded visa cards so she can pay for and download songs herself. I don't check her mp3 player - I trust her - and I hope I don't get beat about the head for that.

amy blodgett in tempe, with two daughters.

sure, fine, whatever