The Television-It's Your Enemy as a Parent

Television is bad. There is no other, kinder way to put it. Watching television is linked to a host of problems in children and teens. Young people who watch more television are more likely to be overweight, perform poorly in school, have behavior problems, eat more junk food, and exercise less. In addition, those watching more television have shorter attention spans than those who watch less. So, there is really very little upside to the television, other than it's "easy". So please, please, please turn it off. And for goodness' sake, please keep the television out of your kids' rooms. Studies show that youth with televisions in their bedrooms watch far more than those without. There is really, truly, no good reason for a child or teen to have a bedroom television. Really. I'm serious. Stop. Please! Read a book. Go for a walk. Play a game. Anything! One hour in front of the television should be the daily limit. Enforce it. Your kids will thank you in the long run.