What’s on TV?

Creating a caring community

“Children learn what children live”

We know that…

  • Parents and primary caregivers are the most important role models for children under school age.
  • Children learn life skills from watching grown-ups.
  • Violence is learned.
  • The average Canadian child watches 23 hours of television and plays 7 hours of video games each week.
  • On average, children are exposed to 12,000 violent acts and 14,000 sexual references on television every year.
  • Media hold our children’s attention for many hours each year. It has significant power to teach and influence our children’s behaviour.

What can I do?

  1. Use television as a starting point for discussions about sexuality, gender issues and values.
  2. Ask your children to show you what video or internet games they play and join in.
  3. Watch televison with your child whenever possible and help them interpret the images they see.
  4. Supervise, monitor and restrict access to the Internet.
  5. Before buying a video or computer game, check the rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to help pick age-appropriate games.

Ask yourself…

  • How often are your children on the Internet or watching television when you are not around?
  • Are you allowing media to replace you as a primary sex educator as is occurring in most Canadian households right now?
  • What kind of movies or television shows are you watching as a family and are they really appropriate for the whole family?
  • How is violence used in many children’s television programs?

Try this…

1. Media tracking

Pick one night a week in the near future to be media tracking week. For every hour anyone in the family watches television or plays computer and video games put a mark on the calendar. You will probably be surprised how quickly the calendar fills up. Discuss healthy alternatives as a family.

2. Media turn-off

Pick one day a week or month and turn off the televisions and computers for a whole day. Play board games, talk, go hiking. Do something that involves the whole family. Children may appear annoyed but studies suggest they really do appreciate time with the adults in their lives.

The most important thing is to…

BE THERE AND BE AWARE

Adapted with permission from the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit in collaboration with the Early Years Injury Prevention Coalition and the Quinte Coordinating Committee Against Violence. September 2004

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