Developing Healthy Habits for Children’s Use of TV, Video Games, and the Internet

No doubt about it – TV, interactive video games, and the Internet can be excellent sources of education and entertainment for kids. But too much screen time can have unhealthy side effects.

That’s why it’s wise to monitor and limit the time your child spends playing video games, watching TV, and playing games on the Internet.

It’s also a good idea to make sure kids have a wide variety of free-time activities like reading, playing with friends, and sports, which can all play a vital part in helping them develop a healthy body and mind.

Here are some practical ways to make kids’ screen time more productive:

TV Time

Limit the number of TV-watching hours.

Stock the room in which you have your TV with plenty of other non-screen entertainment (books, kids’ magazines, toys, puzzles, board games, etc.) to encourage kids to do something other than watch the tube.

Turn off the TV during meals.

Don’t allow your child to watch TV while doing homework.

Treat TV as a privilege that kids need to earn – not a right that they’re entitled to. Tell them that TV viewing is allowed only after chores and homework are completed.

Set a good example. Limit your own TV viewing.

Watch TV with your child. If you can’t sit through the whole program, at least watch the first few minutes to assess the tone and appropriateness, then check in throughout the show.
Video and Interactive Computer Games

Look at the ratings. Video games do have ratings to indicate when they have violence, strong language, mature sexual themes, and other content that may be inappropriate for kids. The ratings, established for the Entertainment Software Rating Board, range from EC (meaning Early Childhood), which indicates that the game is appropriate for kids ages 3 and older, to AO (for Adults Only), which indicates that violent or graphic sexual content makes it appropriate only for adults.

Preview the games. Even with the ratings, it’s still important to preview the games – or even play them – before letting kids play. The game’s rating may not match what you feel is appropriate for your child.

Help kids get perspective on the games. Monitor how the games are affecting your kids. If they seem more aggressive after spending time playing a certain game, discuss the game and help them understand how the violence that’s portrayed is different from what occurs in the real world. That can help them identify less with the aggressive characters and reduce the negative effects that violent video games can have.

Internet Safety

Become computer literate. Learn how to block objectionable material.

Keep the computer in a common area. Keep it where you can watch and monitor your kids. Avoid putting a computer in a child’s bedroom.

Share an email account with younger children. That way, you can monitor who is sending them messages.

Bookmark your child’s favorite sites. Your child will have easy access and be less likely to make a typo that could lead to inappropriate content.

Like any tool, these activities can be used to our children’s benefit or deferment. Choose wisely.