TROUBL

As today’s abundance of media invades our homes, our children’s lives are changing in a progressively complex manner. Young people today are far more media savvy than previous generations. The media knows this, which is why we see commercials and television programming aimed at toddlers. But is this a good thing? Have you ever noticed the hypnotized stare of a child watching television?

With America averaging more televisions than people per household (2.73 televisions compared to 2.55 people), more and more we see parents relying on the tube as mentor and baby-sitter.

It’s not uncommon for parents to turn on the television, plop their kids in front of the set and go on about their business.

A new study on the role of media in families found that a third of families leave their televisions on nearly all the time. Studies also indicate that a third of children have television in their rooms, and many are put to sleep with the television is on.

Many parents justify their actions by saying they place their children in front of educational programs, which have been proven to benefit a child’s upbringing.

Realize the impact of PBS, which has benefited low-income homes that have very few books and limited access to other educational activities. It’s a good thing when pre-school aged children are using these programs to discover the multicultural world that surrounds them, exploring different songs, and dances from culture they normally wouldn’t be exposed to.

But there’s an appropriate amount of television time and it shouldn’t substitute for the time we spend with our kids.

Other the other side, you have parents that go too far, not allowing their children to watch television at all. These parents don’t realize that they’re isolating their kids from their peers and stripping them of the ability to form bonds around a common interest. And like I mentioned, educational programming is beneficial.

In the end we have to realize that nothing can substitute for the time we spend talking with our children. Nothing can replace the time we spend reading them books, educating them and making sure that when they do watch television its beneficial for them, rather than for us.