Twelve Tips for Taming the Tube
Here are a few ideas from the National Institute on Media & the Family to give YOU control over YOUR television.
1. AVOID USING VIDEO GAMES OR THE TV AS A BABYSITTER: Think of how careful you are about choosing a babysitter and day care. Try to be just as careful about what your children play and watch every day.
2. KNOW WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE PLAYING AND WATCHING: It is important to be aware of game and program content as well as the content of the daily news. The younger the child, the more impressionable he or she is, and the less experienced in evaluating content against the values of family and community. Additionally, emotional images may intrude upon and interrupt sleep.
3. KEEP GAME CONSOLES AND TV OUT OF KIDS' BEDROOMS: It is difficult to monitor what your children are playing and watching when they are in their own rooms. Having a game console and TV in a child's room discourages participation in family activities and encourages them to play games or watch TV when they could be studying, reading or sleeping.
4. SET SOME GUIDELINES ABOUT WHEN AND WHAT CHILDREN PLAY AND WATCH: This can be done in conversation with your children, but the final call belongs to you. The clearer the rules (i.e., no video games or TV before school, or until homework is completed), the better.
5. PRACTICE "APPOINTMENT" TV DECIDE IN ADVANCE WHAT'S GOOD AND WATCH IT AS A FAMILY: Go through the TV guide in the paper on Sunday and make family decisions on shows to watch for the week. Discuss reasons for the decisions with your children.
6. TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT WHAT HE OR SHE IS PLAYING OR WATCHING: Ask your children what they see, as it may be very different from what you see. Ask them to tell you what things mean to them. Ask them why they play certain games or watch specific shows, what characters they like and don't like. Discuss the commercials and their perception of toys, cereals, etc., and the people who sell them.
7. TURN VIDEO GAMES AND TV OFF DURING MEALS: Catch up with one another. Focus on each other. Share stories and activities from each family member's day.
8. USE THE VCR OR DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER (DVR) TO YOUR ADVANTAGE: Record a good show and schedule a special family viewing — complete with popcorn.
9. PUT THE FAMILY ON A VIDEO GAME AND TV DIET: Schedule some fun alternative activities.
10. CREATE A VIDEO GAME AND TV COUPON SYSTEM: Kids get coupons and turn them in when they play a game or watch a program. Unused coupons can be "cashed in" for a special family activity.
11. DON'T MAKE TV THE FOCAL POINT OF THE ROOM: Make your children the focus of your attention, not the TV research shows that people watch less TV if it is not in the most prominent location in the room.
12. PATRONIZE GOOD PROGRAMS AND DEMAND MORE OF THEM: Express your opinions to TV and radio stations, network executives and advertisers. Tell them not only what you do not like, but also what you like. Addresses for networks and local stations are in your TV guide.