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Tips for Parents |
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 TV Watch member and parenting expert Dr. Sal Severe
provides helpful pointers for parents trying to monitor their child’s
viewing habits. Although these tips are tailored for the summer, they
can serve as guidelines the whole year through. |
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DO’S
Set time limits on how much
television your child can watch per day or per week, with enough
flexibility to change the limits under special circumstances, like
rainy days. Two hours a day is plenty.
Use the rating system and the
parental control features that come with your TV, cable set-top box or
satellite, to screen out objectionable content when you just don’t have
the time to watch with your children.
Plan ahead. Sit down with the
TV guide at the beginning of the week and agree on what shows can be
watched. The schedule should include some of your kids' favorite shows
as well as programs you would like them to see.
Schedule family viewing
times. You can watch what your children choose and discuss the content
with them.
Be consistent. Make sure that
you and your partner agree on what shows your children can watch.
Create a checklist and post it on the refrigerator to remind you, your
children and caregivers of the rules of the household.
Use your VCR or DVR. If you
record programs, children can play outside when it’s sunny and use the
video when it’s raining or when you can’t watch with them.
Remember to spend some time
reading every day. Either have your children read silently, or for
extra fun, read aloud to them.
DON'TS
Do not let TV become the
default entertainment or the babysitter. But simply telling children to
play outside won't work. Parents have to guide their children by
providing ideas on how to enjoy their non-TV time.
Don't assume that if a
program is nonviolent or on PBS it will necessarily be consistent with
your values. Try to watch at least one episode of a new program that
your child wants to watch to make sure that you approve of the show’s
content for your child.
Avoid putting a TV in your
child’s room. However if you do, activate the parental controls to
block out content you don’t want your child to see.
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