Ad-free streaming sparks change in human interaction

infographic by Peyton Shape

The average family in the U.S. has four streaming services and spends about $61-$71 per month, according to Deloitte’s 2025 report. Continuous watching of a television show or movie series is much easier on Netflix and Hulu with the new ad-free services that are available. 

“It’s wonderful because you can just turn on your favorite shows and let them continue in the background while you do other things,” Careers, Information Systems and Graphic Design teacher Mrs. Kelli Sellers said. 

According to a March 2025  survey conducted by Tubi, 53% of the 2,502 Gen Z’ers surveyed have put off work to finish binging a show.

“I think you can get caught in the aspect of not stopping because you want to watch the next ones,” sophomore Grace L’Esperance said. “Then three hours go by, and there are so many things that I have to do, but I want to keep watching.” 

Although more expensive with rates at an average of $78.58 monthly according to Cable TV, satellite TV has a much more limited variety of movies and TV.

“You could spend $30-$60 a month and get the exact things that you want, or you’d have to spend over $100 to get satellite,” Mrs. Sellers said. 

While many of these streaming platforms are still ad-free, some are beginning to contain ads, such as Amazon Prime, Disney+ and others. 

“It does at least bring your attention to things that you haven't considered buying,” Mrs. Sellers said. “But the scariest thing I’ve noticed is that if you go on your phone to search for something, then the next time you go to the streaming service, it will have an ad for what you searched for.” 

Multiple policies have been put into place to protect students from the dangers of these online programs collecting private information. Policies such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998 and the in progress Kid’s Online Safety Act (KOSA) regulate and protect students and children from the collection of information without parental consent. The Senate passed the bipartisan KOSA bill by unanimous consent in March.

“I think parents need to limit screen time because you’re learning self-control and self-discipline, and it’s easy to be enticed in it,” IT Department Head Mrs. Tina Davis said. 

These platforms with wide varieties of shows and movies allow for a break from everything going on in the world. 

“I think endless streaming services can easily become a mind numbing escape,” Bible teacher Mrs. Lisa Bonds said. “Many people may spend hours on the service, leaving them with little or no time to do activities with other people.”

Healthy inclusion of these streaming services and shows is possible; however, it takes grounding in God’s Word according to Dean of Spiritual Development and Assistant Upper School Principal Dr. Ty Faulk.  

“There are a couple godly virtues that can be connected to entertainment including rest, community and wisdom,” Dr. Faulk said. “Engaging in entertainment is best when we are engaging with others, and we are watching discernment to learn about our culture which better equips us to impact others.”

When watching entertainment like social media or TV, students should be sure to guard their hearts and minds from unbiblical views. 

“The scriptures teach us to not place anything above God,” Mrs. Bonds said. “I would say this includes our time and how it is spent. So streaming for hours may become an idol or an addiction for some.” 

Exposure to certain unbiblical shows that are seen a lot can influence thoughts and beliefs. 

“It’s important to be discerning,” Dr. Faulk said. “The ultimate question is, can I watch these shows and still think through them with biblical discernment? Or does this show transform my mind and the way I think? If it’s just changing the way you think and you can’t watch it in a critical way, then it’s typically not healthy.”