How can parents create monthly “media challenges” where the family watches and discusses content on positive themes like kindness or generosity? 

Parenting Perspective 

A monthly “media challenge” is a wonderful way to transform passive screen time into an interactive and values-focused family tradition. It turns entertainment into a shared journey of moral and spiritual reflection. 

Choose a Positive Theme Together 

At the start of each month, invite the whole family to choose a theme, such as generosity, courage, or patience. Let everyone, including the youngest, suggest films, documentaries, or even short video clips that they think reflect this theme. This builds excitement and shared ownership right from the beginning. 

Plan it Like a Special Event 

Set a regular date for your challenge, like the first Friday of the month, and treat it like a special occasion. Plan the evening with a structured but fun flow: watch the selected media, then follow it with a creative activity like drawing a key scene or acting out a favourite moment. 

Guide a Reflective Discussion 

After watching, spark a thoughtful conversation with open-ended questions. You could ask, ‘Which character showed the most kindness, and how did it change the story?’ or ‘How can we practise more of that in our own lives this week?’ This helps children to internalise the virtue and connect it to their own actions. 

Make it Rewarding and Fun 

Keep the tradition exciting by adding small, rewarding elements. This could be a special dessert for movie night, or creating a “kindness jar” where family members can add notes throughout the month about positive actions they noticed in each other, inspired by the theme. Positive reinforcement makes the challenge something to look forward to. 

By creating this tradition, you turn entertainment into a fun and interactive moral lesson, helping your children to absorb positive values while enjoying quality family time. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam encourages intentional activities that cultivate goodness and moral awareness, turning even leisure time into an opportunity for spiritual growth. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verse 104: 

‘(In order that) there may develop from you a nation that invites (people) towards betterment; by promoting that which is positive (in its outcome) and forbidding that which is negative (in its outcome); and those are the successful people.’ 

This verse inspires us to be a community that actively promotes goodness. A family that comes together for a media challenge is a beautiful microcosm of this a small “nation” within the home that is actively engaging with and inviting towards what is good and right. 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the high status of a just and guiding leader. 

It is recorded in Al Adab Al Mufrad, 272, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved of people to Allah on the Day of Resurrection and the closest to Him will be the just leader‘ 

A parent is the “just leader” of their family. Part of this leadership is to actively guide their household towards what is good and away from what is harmful. A family media challenge is a creative and engaging way to fulfil this leadership role, nurturing a home environment where virtues are discussed, celebrated, and loved.