Parents hear a lot about the negative effects of television. Used the right way, and with your active involvement, television can have a positive effect on your child's social, emotional and mental development.

Here are some ideas that may help them benefit from the right way of viewing television. The following suggestions may also help protect your child from the negative influences of television.

Make sure your child watches programs you are familiar with. Pay extra attention to ensure that your child does not watch programs that show violence, sex and offensive language. 

As frequently as possible, try to watch television with your child. Do not use the television as a baby-sitter. Do not allow your child to have a television in his or her bedroom. 

Discuss the teaching value of a program with your child, such as the importance of sharing, giving, loving or doing the alphabet together. Programs like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Sesame Street are very useful in helping your child's development. Use follow-up activities that further develop material presented on the programs. 

Be careful with the example that you set as a parent.  Children learn many of their values and ideas from their parents. Also, be sure to explain the rules of television watching in your home to caregivers such as nannies, baby-sitters or grandparents. 

Limit daily television watching to one hour or less for preschoolers and two hours or less for early school aged children. Use the other time available to teach skills such as reading and writing, or to visit museums, zoos and aquariums. Teaching takes time, but in the end it is worth it! 

Older children should be given the opportunity to plan their weekly viewing schedule in advance, but parents should still supervise their choices. Praise your child for making good choices, and encourage him or her to criticize and analyze what he or she sees on television. 

Help your child understand the differences between fantasy, make-believe and reality. Discuss and explain the reasons why he or she cannot watch certain programs. Use this as an opportunity to raise a child who is aware of the values you feel are important.

Set a bedtime for your child that does not change according to the television schedule. If your child is interested in a program that airs past his or her bedtime, consider using a VCR to record it.

Television is a powerful tool for selling or promoting toys and products. Discuss commercials with your child. Help him or her identify high-pressure selling techniques and exaggerated claims.

Turn off the television during meals. Turn off the television when visitors arrive and during study time. Do not use the television as background sound.

Make a rule that homework and chores must be finished before your child can watch television.

Support media literacy education in schools.

You may consider about blocking channels, where the child has to have an adult unblock the channel so they can watch it. This works best with the older child, the one who watches TV when your back is turned for 5 mins.
 

Source/Reference: 
Developed by the CPS Psychosocial Paediatrics Committee. Published in Paediatrics & Child Health, July/August 1999
 

This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.