Does your TV spend more time with your kids than you do? Are you worried about what they see and learn? If so, it may be time to rethink your family viewing habits.
Hundreds of research studies show that TV violence has serious effects on children and adolescents. Children may
Most TV remote controls now have a parental control option that allows parents to program in only the TV stations that they approve of. This is especially important for families who use cable TV. In some communities the local cable station also can install a devise that will block unwanted programming at little or no charge.
Use your child's age and development to guide you in choosing TV programs.
Infants and toddlers are interested in the bright, colorful, moving objects that are on TV. They also enjoy the music and may "dance" to a favorite commercial jingle. Commercials generally hold their attention well, but during most programs you will find them crawling or toddling off to another activity.
Preschoolers have longer attention spans and are able to watch short programs. However, they often are not able to understand the whole story of a program. They can remember only small pieces of what they see and often cannot tie everything together. Much of this is because they do not yet have a good understanding of cause and effect. Preschoolers who watch adult TV shows (even good family programs) often get confused. They may see someone singing and then a few seconds later see someone sick in bed and conclude that singing makes people sick. Preschoolers also may become frightened by something as simple as a man's face in a cereal box or a talking shoe.
School-age children understand much more than preschoolers; however, they often misinterpret what they see. School-agers can distinguish between reality and fantasy portrayed by live actors versus cartoons, but may have difficulty interpreting more subtle messages. For example, they may wholeheartedly believe that a certain brand of shampoo will truly make their hair shine like the commercial model's hair, or that Brand X of soda pop will make their life more exciting. TV violence also has a real impact on school-agers. Many children will develop strong fears of being attacked, killed, or kidnapped. Images of war or domestic violence on the evening news can be just as frightening as a fictional show during prime time.
How do you know if children need reassurance? Observe their expression while they watch TV. Look for signals of fear, admiration, excitement, or anger. Also be prepared to answer questions about sex, domestic violence, abortion, and other topics that may worry children.
For TV to be an effective tool, it should be a choice, not a habit! Choose from the TV schedule each week. Explain to your child the three kinds of TV programs-the kind they can watch alone, the kind they watch with parents or parental supervision, and the kind that is absolutely off limits. Prevent arguments by letting each child choose one or two programs at appropriate times, and mark their choices with different colored markers. Also, help your child avoid the TV "glut rut" by encouraging them to watch a variety of shows: comedies, sports, nature films, documentaries, and news. Even the news may need adult interpretation as real life can be as frightening as make-believe.
Keep TV sets in family areas for family viewing. A TV in a child's room is not as easily monitored and may be given more importance than homework, reading, and physical exercise. A TV in the kitchen or dining room is sure death for family communication. If you want to stay in touch with your kids put the TV in another room.
Take some time to watch TV with your kids. Look for examples of how people treat each other. Be sensitive to examples of cultural diversity, spiritual values, and political behavior. Talk back to the TV. Challenge ideas and statements made. Often, a few well-timed comments about your family beliefs or values can be more effective than a month of lectures. Also, talk about the difference between real life and make-believe. Be sure to point out that in real life, solving problems generally takes much longer than 30 minutes and can be done in a peaceful manner. When watching commercials, challenge the kids to figure out what gimmicks and techniques advertisers use to sell their products.
Many children now have opportunities to view music and rock videos on TV. After-school viewing of TV talk shows is also a growing concern of many parents. The following themes are trouble-some for children:
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has expressed serious concern over the effects of this material on children and suggests that parents carefully monitor their children's viewing. A good general rule is "when in doubt, pull the plug out!"
One of the most helpful things you can do as a parent is to teach children to question and think about what they watch. Each time you watch TV with your children make at least one critical viewing comment. Soon your children will catch on and may start making a few comments of their own. For example:
1. "I wonder if they could have solved the problem without using a gun."
2. "If the cereal tastes so good and is so good for you, why do they have to put a toy in it to get you to buy it?"
3. "She's pretty, but I wonder what she really looks like when she wakes up in the morning? I bet she doesn't wear makeup to bed."
4. "What would happen to that guy if he crashed all those cars in real life?"
Concerned about the quality of television? Your voice does make a difference! The most effective way to change commercials or programs is to call your local television station. When you are offended or pleased by something on television, let the station manager know. Letters about programming or advertising also can be sent to networks, government agencies, and the broadcasting industry's trade organization.
The following is a partial media list including federal commissions that regulate media members.
Iowa Public Television
P.O. Box 6450
Johnston, IA 50131
Tel: (515)242-3000
Fax: (515)242-4113
Director of Programming - Dan Miller (Contact)
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314-1698
Tel: (703)739-5000
Fax: (703)739-0775
President & CEO - Ervin S. Duggan (Contact)
CBS Inc.
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
Tel: (212)975-5152
Fax: (212)975-4082
Chairman & CEO - Michael Jordan (Contact)
National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Tel: (212)664-4444
Fax: (212)664-7234
President & CEO - Robert C. Wright (Contact)
ABC, Inc.
77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
Tel: (212)456-7777
President and CEO - Daniel B. Burke (Contact)
Fox Broadcasting Company
Location:
10201 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Mail:
Box 900 Beverly Hills, CA 90213
Tel: (310)277-2211
Chairman & CEO, Fox Inc - Rupert Murdoch (Contact)
National Cable Television Association, Inc. (NCTA)
1724 Massachusetts Avenue
NW Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202)775-3550
Fax: (202)775-3695
Acting President - S. Decker Anstrom (Contact)
General concern about cable can be addressed there, and they can also be helpful in getting specific addresses of cable networks such as HBO, CNN, Disney, USA, etc.
A number of non profit consumer groups and educational organizations also are involved in improving TV programming for families. Each of these national groups has it own philosophy and priorities for action.
Action for Children's Television
20 University Road
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
National TeleMedia Council
120 East Wilson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
National Coalition On Television Violence
P.O. Box 2157
Champaign, Illinois 61820
National Council for Families and Television
20 Nassau Street Suite 200
Princeton, New Jersey 08542
Turn Off The Violence
P.O. Box 27558
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Tel: (612) 593-8041
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