Arkansas
Association of
Family and Consumer
Sciences

"Nonna, what’s in your box?" asked my grandson Noah, as I carried a full container of movies to storage. Previously, I had begun to critically consider how the screen-faced box in my living room might be shaping my young grandchildren. Concerned about the influential power and time-consuming nature of television and movies, I became convicted to closely monitor my grandchildren’s viewing. I own a television because I enjoy the entertainment that my family and I derive from shows and movies; moreover, I appreciate the lessons that can be communicated through this medium. As Murray (as cited in Boyd & Bee, 2006) finds, "Programs designed to teach children moral and social values have demonstrable positive effects on children’s prosocial behavior." The Veggietales series, for example, can delight its young and adult viewers while confirming values taught in the Christian home. Unfortunately, television and movies may negatively influence children; and too much TV, whether of good or evil content, can distract young children from activities they need in order to stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.

Inevitably, the more hours per day children spend watching television, the less time they have to play outside, exercise, engage with family and peers, read, complete homework or participate in a variety of other activities so essential to childhood health and development. Childhood obesity is on the rise in our nation primarily because children are sitting more often in front of the television and playing less. Additionally, television and movies may distract children from 'projects, sports, music, art or other activities that require time, attention, problem solving, or practice to become skillful' (Martinez 2005). The absence of the activities that sharpen young intellects and foster budding talents may harm children, even if all program content is benign.

What children see on the screen, however, is not always harmless. Television shows and movies frequently contain sexual references, subtle and explicit, as well as violent attitudes and actions. Although sex is usually considered adult fare and is often, though not always, evaded in programs made for children, violence is prevalent in the media, even in children’s shows and cartoons. If adults are affected by the images they put before their eyes, how much more so are young children, whose minds are developing in response to the world around them? How will the hitting and killing pictures they see influence their thoughts and then affect their actions? The American Academy of Pediatrics (2001) reports that 3,482 out of 3,500 research studies have identified a positive relationship between media violence and violent behavior. We ought not to assume that the children in our care are invulnerable to the violence we allow to flash across our television screens.

Should we, then, carry all of our television sets to the curb? Perhaps. Or, with love and deliberate action, we can train our children to enjoy television and movies in healthful ways.

How can caretakers practically implement healthy viewing practices for their children? First, we provide alternate activities for our children. If a child spends time playing outside, engaging in sports, reading and enjoying other fun activities, he will not have time to watch excessive amounts of television. We encourage children to spend time playing outdoors. The natural world educates as it inspires wonder! And we teach our children to be readers, not just watchers. Reading provides entertainment while allowing readers to develop language comprehension and writing skills. We also help our children by allowing them to imagine. A child’s imagination, which can be stunted by excessive television-watching, is an invaluable resource for his fun and development. Debord and Herzler (2004) suggest imaginative activities such as creative dramatic play, art activities, story-telling and music-making as employments which utilize a child’s imagination and help him learn and grow.

Finally, we provide for healthy viewing by replacing violent shows with positive programs. Children need our help. We can teach them discernment, but we cannot expect them to possess the discretion to know when to stop watching destructive material. American Academy of Pediatrics (2001) advises concerned caretakers to set limits on viewing time, remove negative media choices, implement television filters, ensure that children’s bedrooms are 'media-free' and maintain media literacy so that we know how to protect our children. To promote healthy viewing, we guard our children from programs that might harm them; and when we allow our children to watch television, we only permit shows and movies that teach them positive values or provide beneficial education.

As parents, grandparents and guardians of growing children, we have a responsibility to proactively teach our children to use television and movies for their betterment and to enjoy the many other delightful activities that life offers.