* MEDIATED BRIEF *

Mediated Brief—Television in moderation

Children should be allowed to watch television in moderation, and under parental guidance. There has been three decades of research on children and television. Experts and children advocates are torn between whether or not to allow children to watch television. There is a difference between having full reign over the television and watching television with guidelines in mind. Television is not necessarily a negative form of entertainment, but when misused, it can have negative effect on a developing mind. There is a middle ground that must be found involving children and their television watching habits. As a society, with such an emphasis on entertainment, it would be completely impractical to remove television from one’s life. Television has become a staple in today’s world; there is absolutely no way to avoid it. So, we must find its positive aspects and utilize them to our advantage.

"Hundreds of scientific studies conducted since the 1950s have shown a cause and effect between exposure to violence through the media and violent behavior," says David Walsh, Ph.D., president of National Institute on Media and the Family and a nationally known expert on violence and the media. Dr. Walsh and many other experts agree that parents should establish family rules for television viewing. Here are some recommendations: Watch TV with your kids, discuss with them what you just watched, question what you see on TV, talk back to the TV if necessary to clarify an issue, and watch selected shows, not just whatever is on. Talk to your children about what they learned and what they got out of a show. If they see violent images or negative stereotypes, talk to them about it. Explain that these things are bad -- and why -- and talk about what real violence does to people. "Watching television with your children is a time you can share with them and it enables you to see exactly what they're learning," says Marjorie J. Hogan, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota. When possible, limit viewing to educational shows, news (for children of appropriate age) and occasional entertainment, not constant escapism. Children need to learn that entertainment comes not from a screen but from self-generated activities.

Television in moderation can be a good thing for a child. These days television programs teach children an array of things from the alphabet, to wildlife and current events. Television not only provides a source of good education, but can be a healthy form of entertainment, if used in moderation. Monitoring your child’s television intake is critical. Children need a strong balance between playing with their friends, exercising, reading, and watching quality programming.

Allowing your child to watch television has its advantages, but plopping a child in front of the screen and giving them full reign is not going to endorse positive behavior. Monitor what your child watches with parental ratings. TV-Y ratings are suitable for all children, TV-7 for children 7 and older; these shows contain mild fantasy violence or comedic violence that may scare younger kids. Make sure you’re familiar with the programs you are allowing your child to consume.

Teach your child good habits. Limit the number of television hours to less than 2 hours of quality programming.  Stock the room that you keep your television with other forms of entertainment, such as books, board games, and puzzles that way it will not become a habit to walk in a specific room and turn on the television. Keep televisions out of your child’s bedroom. Turn your television off during meals and during homework time. Television should be a privilege that your child should earn, not a right your child has. Make sure your child does homework and all chores before watching television. As a parent, set a good example by limiting your television time and what you watch during your that time.

Have a family television schedule, certain programs that you watch together as a family, each week, in order to promote family bonding. After your scheduled program is over, turn the television off, instead of channel surfer until you find something that catches you or your child’s eye. Talk to your child about what your child sees on television. Make sure to share your values together. Talk with other adults about what they watch with their children. Offer fun alternatives to television such as: board games, read together, crafts, play outside—make it quality time. .

Teach your child to be a savvy consumer by talking about what your child thinks while watching the programs together, engage children, ask their opinion and let them know it’s their choice but make sure they understand their choices. Explain that commercials and ads are designed to make children want things that they don’t need o even want. Help children understand that those ads are made to make children think that those products will make them happy; talking to kids about reality will help put things into perspective.