TURN OFF THE T.V. AND DO FAMILY

The most important influence in your child’s life is family, unless you permit it to be the television. On an average, American children watch 3-4 hours of television daily. By the time they graduate from high school, the average student will have spent more time watching T.V. than in the classroom. This, of course, may include time watching T.V., playing video games, and movies for rent.

Television consumes large chunks of time when your child could be reading, playing, or socializing with family or friends. Here are some chilling facts that parents need to consider.

1. Children who watch a lot of television tend to be overweight. While viewing television ads, they are subjected to view all the juicy morsels of junk food. This will help to explain the growing crisis of overweight kids in our school system and the recent concern of school districts and accompanying health letters to parents. Furthermore, evidence is mounting that children from families who eat together (preferably at the table), not in front of the T.V., perform less violence
2. If your child is an average T.V. viewer, he/she will have viewed 8,000 murders on T.V. before finishing grade school.
3. Your child will be exposed to adult sexual behaviors without being informed of the risks. The advertisers of alcohol and tobacco will usurp quality time from your child to inform them about tobacco and alcohol.

 EMERGING EVIDENCE REGARDING TODDLERS

Children of all ages learn but toddlers ages 2 and under are especially vulnerable to television. Television can negatively affect brain development for children under 2 years old and the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics does not recommend T.V. for children under 2 years of age.

 A DIRECT CO-RELATION BETWEEN TELEVISION AND VIOLENCE

Studies have concluded that there is a direct relation between television and violence. (ColumbiaUniversity) studies have ruled out other causes of violence such as “neglect, poverty, and living in violent neighborhoods” Television is, without question, a villain. This is also confirmed by The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and The American Medical Association. “..T.V. Watching is linked to violent behavior” L.A. Times April 2,2002

VIOLENCE BRINGS MORE VIOLENCE

We wonder how did a society like Afghanistan ever develop? What were the contributing factors? Naturally, the answer is not as simple as saying T.V., but the facts are simple: Violence results in violence weather at a family level or a national level. The latest evidence depicts Americans as “rude and crude.”  Is this the leadership we want to bring to a world filled with violence and terrorism?

IN CONCLUSION

Time spent in front of the T.V., unless it is properly controlled, robs important life activities from your child such as reading, school work, playing, exercise, family and social interaction. We are all aware of how easy it is to turn on the baby sitter. Only in recent years have we become aware of the consequences!