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More than ever before, our children are immersed in electronic media.
Even very young children spend hours a day watching TV and tapes, using
computers, and playing video games. A new study by the Kaiser Family
Foundation found that children six and under spend about the same amount
of time using electronic media as they spend playing outside, and much
more time than they spend involved with reading.
The study also found a strong increase in aggression among children
who are exposed to violence through TV, video games, and movies.
Parents, grandparents, and other adults who interact with young people
often ask how they can manage a child’s use of TV and other electronic
media. Here are some suggestions made available by the National School
Public Relations Association:
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Set an example. Make sure the TV is not on all the time. Turn it off
during dinner. Make sure to avoid adult programs when children are
present.
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Keep an eye on what’s going on. Make sure the family TV and computer
are located in a central place where you can monitor the viewing. Preview
any new programs or computer games, and be aware that many games become
more violent the longer they are played.
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Always check the ratings on a game, TV program, or movie. Be very clear
to your children about why you find some programs objectionable. Talk
about stereotyping and media violence.
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Use the TV as a source of learning, never as a babysitter. The average
American child spends at least as much time watching TV as he or she
spends in school. You can use electronic media as a catalyst to get
young people reading. Watch for their interests and follow up with
books on the subject. Fill your house with other interesting items
like puzzles, board games, crayons, and books and magazines as well.
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Set rules for the amount of time per day that can be spent with electronic
media. Teach children to plan a daily after-school schedule and limit
TV or video games to specific blocks of time.
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Choose programs and games that reflect your family’s values.
Good TV programming can teach children important values. Watch the
programs and play the games with your children to make sure that the
content is appropriate.
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Teach your children to be media literate. Teach them about different
types and goals of media — news vs. entertainment vs. advertising.
Help them understand that the goal of ads is to make them buy things,
even things they don’t really need or want.
These are all important lessons.
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