Parents must have boundaries when it comes to letting their kids watch television or use the computer. Obesity, earning screen time, and doing other activities are some reasons that screen time needs to be monitored. Parents have the responsibility to encourage healthy behaviors and limit unhealthy ones for their children.
School children who watch television more than two hours a week are obese. When children are watching television and eating at the same time, they are not paying attention to what they are doing and in return, students eat too much food. Children who over eat while watching television often have less energy. The child is often too tired or full from overeating to move. Children who eat while sitting in front of the television instead of the table are more obese than other kids.
Next, some parents will let their child earn television time so that the screen time can be monitored. Some parents will let children earn additional television time if they receive good grades in school. Parents will give kids thirty minutes of television time on weekends for good grades. Also, if children do the chores without being reminded to do so, they may get more television time. Another good way to earn television time is by reading books for enjoyment.
Lastly, if parents and children are spending time together going to the park or playing board games, the children are doing something other than sitting in front of the television. Instead of sitting in front of a television, children can invite their friends over to ride bikes, play sports, or take a walk. If children have hobbies like playing sports, sewing, or scrapbooking instead of watching television, they are apt to happier and more active than if all the kids did was watch television.
In conclusion, the best thing parents can do to prevent children from watching too much television, is to limit how much time is spent