How to Prevent Bad Effects of Television

Television can have negative health effects.

Television has some extremely positive qualities. It can be entertaining and educational, giving people the opportunity to see other countries, learn about different cultures, and experience ideas they would never encounter in their own community. Shows with an uplifting message can influence viewers to make better decisions. TV can also cause more harm than good, especially when it comes to children. However, minimal lifestyle changes can help keep the television from affecting the health and behavior of your family in negative ways.

Things You'll Need

• TV program guide
• Newspaper
• Board games

Instructions

Preventing Bad Effects of TV

1. Limit the number of hours you and your family watch TV each day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids younger than 2 not watch any TV, and that those older than 2 watch no more than two hours a day of quality programming.

   The effects of TV-watching on the development of babies is not yet known. Time spent watching TV replaces time interacting with other people, and social interaction is critical to a baby's healthy development. This has been supported by data from the Child Development Supplement in 1997. Increase family interactions by keeping TV's out of bedrooms, and turn them off during meals. Instead, use the time to talk as a family about things that happened during the day.

2. Check the TV listings and program reviews ahead of time. If possible, preview programs so you know whether they are appropriate for young children. Two-thirds of all programming contains some form of violence, and a University of Michigan researcher demonstrated that watching violent media can slow willingness to help others in need. TV Parental Guidelines is an age-group rating system developed for TV programs that can help parents determine whether a program is suitable for the whole family. These ratings are listed in television guides, TV listings in your newspapers, and on the screen in your cable program guide.

3. Talk to kids about what they see on television, and share your own beliefs and values. Commercials can glamorize unhealthy choices and promote risky behaviors. Television can be helpful tool explaining confusing situations and expressing feelings about difficult topics. If characters in a TV program are mistreated or discriminated against, talk about why it's important to treat everyone fairly, despite their differences.

4. Offer fun alternatives to television that include physical activity. University of Michigan researchers found that physical activity and TV viewing are most associated with overweight risk. TV was a bigger factor than diet. Go for a bike ride or a short walk, initiate a game of hide-and-seek with your child, or simply play a board game you and your family enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• A V-chip, which stands for violence, lets you block TV programs and movies you don't want your kids to see. All new TV sets now have internal V-chips, and set-top boxes are available for TVs made before 2000. Use this technology and program your TV to display only appropriately rated shows.

References

• Kids Health: How TV Affects Your Child
• The TV Parental Guidelines: About the TV Ratings and V-Chip
• Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine: Television Exposure and Overweight Risk in Preschoolers
• Pediatrics: Time Well Spent? Relating Television Use to Children's Free-Time Activities; Elizabeth Vandewater et al; Feb. 1, 2006
• University of Michigan: "Comfortably Numb / Desensitizing Effects of Violent Media on Helping Others"; Bushman and Anderson; July 2008

Resources

• AAP Policy: Children, Adolescents, and Television