Managing television viewing is a tough job for parents. It requires constant vigilance, monitoring and negotiation. This is not easy because, as a society, we are often ambivalent about television. It can be a comfort, a baby-sitter or an entertainer. For most people, it has been there every day of our lives; we watched TV as children and feel we were not harmed by it. Children love television and there is some good children's programming. Over the last 20 years however, television content and advertising have changed dramatically. We may be aware that our children shouldn't watch too much, but we simply don't have the time or energy to offer an alternative.

Taking Control

There are many reasons parents should control television use. Some are obvious, such as the violence and sex they may witness. Others are less obvious. Television teaches children that others will entertain them. It fills their minds with advertisements that tell them what is important about life. TV characters and advertisements often promote behaviour that parents find inappropriate and have to correct.

Television also steals time from children's development - when they should be learning who they are, building strong relationships with their siblings, hearing stories from parents, making friends, using their imaginations, practising skills, participating in household tasks, reading, completing homework and dreaming. One set of reasons for limiting television use has to do with the content on today's television programmes; the other concerns the fact that the time spent watching television is lost to other developmental tasks. Together, they make a powerful argument for parental control.

What are parents to do? Face the issue squarely; get as much information as you can, discuss it and decide what you want to do about it. Develop some family rules. Be consistent and energetic about "holding the line". You can do it!

First Steps

First, know what your children are watching. It's OK to say "no" to a programme that you feel is inappropriate. You may want to watch a programme together once so that you can discuss why you are saying "no".

Talk with your children about what they see. For example, ask them whether what they are watching could happen in real life? Encourage them to think about what the real-life consequences might be of, for example, a car crash or a murder. Try keeping a tally of the acts of violence your family witnesses on TV for a week. Talk with your children about TV advertisements. What is really being "sold" to them - the item or the image? How do advertisements get their attention? Try taping some TV commercials and analysing them as a family activity. Encourage your children to "talk back" to the set, instead of watching passively.

Make sure the programmes children watch are appropriate for their age group. When deciding what is appropriate, target the youngest person viewing. Don't let young children watch the news, they may become needlessly fearful.

Guidelines for Parents

DON'T...

* Use TV as a reward or a punishment. For instance, allowing a child to watch TV after he finishes his homework, as a reward.

* Turn on the TV just to see what's on - or leave it on all day long. Instead, use the TV guide and teach your children to choose selectively.

DO...

* Develop rules for television viewing. Some families allow an hour or two a day. Some leave the TV off Sunday to Thursday or on weekends. Others allow just one "couch potato" day and then remain TV-free for the next 6 days.

* Consider removing the TV from the most comfortable room in the house. Don't put it in a bedroom. Leave it somewhere out of the way (a cupboard or cabinet) or cover it when not in use.

* Help your children find alternatives to TV viewing (see guidelines below).

* Limit your own viewing. Model for your children the behaviour you want them to carry on into adulthood.

Principles for Developing Alternatives to Television

Children can and should generate their own play. You do not have to entertain them all the time.

It is okay for children to be "bored". It's part of the natural process of learning to be self-directed and resourceful.

You do need to provide children with simple materials to stimulate play. Materials should be basic so children can use them in many ways. Examples: balls, cards, crayons, paper, blocks, etc.

Expect mess! (Expect children to clean up their mess, too.)

Seek out nearby playmates for your children to encourage social development.

Foster inter-generational friendships. Children and older people enjoy each other.

Encourage your children to play with older and younger children as well as children of their own age.

Make sure your children get enough sleep. If in doubt, ask your GP or health visitor for sleep guidelines.