How to Watch What Your Child Watches on TV

Children's TV time can be an enjoyable learning experience.

There are many television shows that are appropriate for children, such as wholesome cartoons, nature programs, scientific and historic documentaries and other educational programs. Unfortunately, there is an ever-increasing amount of inappropriate and dangerous programming as well. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, "By high school graduation, most children will have spent more hours watching TV than learning in the classroom." You only have to follow a few simple steps to keep an eye on what your child is viewing on TV, ensuring that your child only watches uplifting, appropriate programs.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• TV
• Easily accessible area
• V-Chip or V-Chip enabled TV

Monitoring Your Child's TV Time

1. Remove the TV from inappropriate areas in your home. A bedroom, secluded playroom or any other area that is not easily accessible at any moment by a parent is no place for a TV.

2. Set rules. Let your children know that TV programs can sometimes be dangerous. Explain that, if they view something inappropriate on TV, they should turn it off and inform an adult.

3. Make a list of appropriate channels or programs that your child can watch.

4. Tell your child when they can watch TV. You may wish to set up a daily time scheduled for viewing.

5. Watch appropriate programming with your child or check in on him frequently.

6. Explain any inappropriate behavior that your child witnesses on TV and help them understand it is wrong. Often, TV programs glorify behavior that you would not want your child to participate in.

7. Turn off the TV after two hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children should not have more than 2 hours of appropriate "screen time" per day. This includes video games as well.

8. Remind your child that the TV rules apply wherever they are, not just at home.

9. Discuss your TV rules with grandparents, babysitters and anyone else who cares for your child.

10. Consider using a V-Chip. The V-chip allows parents or other caregivers to block programming that they don't want children to watch. The FCC has required all televisions larger than 13 inches to contain V-Chip technology since January of 2000; if your TV is not equipped with a V-Chip, your television service provider can supply a V-Chip enabled set-top box.

References

• Know what your kids are watching on TV: Family Guide
• Promoting good television habits: Pediatrics and Child Health
• The V-Chip: Putting Restrictions on What Your Children Watch: FCC
• Children and Watching TV: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Parents Can Successfully Set Limits on Children's TV Watching: Healthy Children