The Amount of Violence Shown on Television
These days, just about every time you turn on the TV you're met with a barrage of violent images including explosions, suicide bombings, and war casualties. And that's just the news! Many popular television shows -- even those in the so-called "family" time slot of 7-8:30 p.m. -- also feature much more violence than shows aired in this time slot just a few years ago.
American children watch an average of between three and fours hours of television daily. As a result, TV violence and children has become a hot topic. Studies show extensive viewing of television violence may cause children to become more aggressive and anxious. Children who watch many hours a week of violent TV may become inured to violence and begin to see the world as a scary and unsafe place.
As a parent, you are your child's first line of defense. It's your job to protect your child from the negative effects of excessive TV violence and protect him from the problems resulting from such exposure. Monitoring your child's viewing habits as well as engaging in frank conversations about what he might have seen can help stave off any lasting emotional effects. Here are some suggestions from the experts:
Pay attention to what your children are watching.
Watch TV with your kids.
Put kids on a "TV diet" and limit their TV time just as you limit their junk food intake.
Don't let your child have a TV in his bedroom.
Don't let your child watch shows you know are violent.
Change the channel or turn off the TV when violent or offensive material comes on and tell your child why you are doing so.
Consider the v-chip or other tools that allow parents to block inappropriate programming.
Use the ratings system, which offers information about the violent content of a TV program.
Make sure other parents and caregivers with whom your child spends time are on the same page.
The news can be particularly troublesome these days. As a result, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests
American children watch an average of between three and fours hours of television daily. As a result, TV violence and children has become a hot topic. Studies show extensive viewing of television violence may cause children to become more aggressive and anxious. Children who watch many hours a week of violent TV may become inured to violence and begin to see the world as a scary and unsafe place.
As a parent, you are your child's first line of defense. It's your job to protect your child from the negative effects of excessive TV violence and protect him from the problems resulting from such exposure. Monitoring your child's viewing habits as well as engaging in frank conversations about what he might have seen can help stave off any lasting emotional effects. Here are some suggestions from the experts:
Pay attention to what your children are watching.
Watch TV with your kids.
Put kids on a "TV diet" and limit their TV time just as you limit their junk food intake.
Don't let your child have a TV in his bedroom.
Don't let your child watch shows you know are violent.
Change the channel or turn off the TV when violent or offensive material comes on and tell your child why you are doing so.
Consider the v-chip or other tools that allow parents to block inappropriate programming.
Use the ratings system, which offers information about the violent content of a TV program.
Make sure other parents and caregivers with whom your child spends time are on the same page.
The news can be particularly troublesome these days. As a result, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests