How to Monitor TV Usage
Television usage can be abused by children and teenagers when parents do not vigilantly monitor activities. Parents who set expectations, define outcomes, use appropriate tools and maintain open communication can more easily monitor TV use for their children.
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Instructions
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Discuss appropriate television usage with children, including when, what, where and how often television watching is permissible. Allow children to express their opinions to reach a set of reasonable expectations.
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Tie television use to other everyday activities for children and disallow watching when desired outcomes have not been met. Other activity examples include chores, homework, hygiene, physical fitness and behavior.
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Implement a list of what shows can be watched when children are supervised and what shows can be watched when children are unsupervised. Investigate shows both on the list and on stations commonly watched to determine the age levels targeted and content presented.
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If available, activate and customize the parental control software that is included in your satellite or cable package. If no software is available, perform spot checks on your children when they are watching the TV unsupervised to determine appropriate use. Invest in a set-top monitor or filter for a higher degree of control.
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Plan for further discussions on TV use; it is appropriate for guidelines to evolve as children grow older.
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Tips & Warnings
Reward appropriate use with greater amounts of trust and unsupervised watching.
Investigate all shows watched by your children; titles and channels can be misleading.
