Television and children are a way of life. If managed appropriately, TV can be educational, entertain the children while you are scrambling to finish dinner, or provide them with a break from a hectic day. However, in many households, the TV is nothing but a technical babysitter. The minute families walk in the door, the TV goes on, the child plops down in front of it and stays there until forced to do their homework or go to bed.
Unsupervised TV can be even worse. Even small children can get their tiny hands on the remote control and before you know it, they are flipping through the channels full of violence and adult content. There is even some Saturday morning cartoons that are filled with fighting, guns, swords, and much more! Studies have been performed showing that children who watch violence on TV actually have tendencies that are more aggressive.
Allowing children to watch too much TV, and unsupervised TV, removes them from interacting with other family members, playing games, and sometimes, homework. What can you do? Actually, you can come to a compromise where some TV is okay but not all the time. Determine the maximum number of hours your child can watch TV in the evening and on the weekend. Then, ensure that TV time does not take priority over meals, homework, and sleep.
Be very specific with your child about the kind of shows they can watch. Use TV as a tool for teaching your child. For example, if your child watched a show that they found fascinating, have them do some research using either the computer or a trip to the library to find out more about that particular subject. Find a show that the entire family can sit down and watch together. Make it a “fun night” with popped popcorn, soda, and big throw pillows on the floor.
The bottom line is that TV is here to stay. Television stations have done a tremendous job at airing just the right shows to keep children focused for hours on end. By staying involved and aware of what your child is watching, you can help guide them away from things that can be harmful and toward funny shows that are lighthearted and educational. Since violent and sexual shows can be demeaning, confidence can be torn down. Keeping your child focused in the right direction when it comes to TV will help their confidence to grow.