Dear Pediatric team:
We keep hearing about how bad TV is for children. We want to make the right decisions about what shows
our 3-year-old watches and how much she watches TV. What are some guidelines to follow?
Confused Mom and Dad
Dear Mom and Dad:
Many parents worry about TV and its effects on children. You are right to be concerned.
TV exposes children to violence and sex. It also exposes them to unhealthy habits (like smoking).
The problem is that they are too young to understand these issues. Children can witness thousands of
acts of violence on TV. Even cartoons show violence like hitting, shooting, and stabbing.
Experts agree that children are harmed by watching so much graphic violence. Children who
watch more television also tend to be less healthy. They are more at risk for being overweight
and not getting enough physical exercise. They may eat more of the junk food they see advertised
on TV instead of fruits and vegetables.
We recommend limiting the number of hours your child watches TV. The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends none or only one hour of TV a day. Choose programs that are good for kids. Programs like
Sesame Street, story hours, or G-rated children's movies are best. Be an active parent. Watch any
show your child watches and evaluate its quality. Watch TV with your child and teach her about what
is happening. Make it a learning experience. As your child gets older, you may have to enforce strict
rules about what your child watches. Be firm. Your child's day should be spent playing actively or
doing things that build imagination. That is the best kind of day for growing minds and bodies!
Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011
