Family Media Management

Children today grow up with media (TV, computers, DVD's, etc.) all around them.  Most young children spend as much time in front of a TV or computer as they do playing outside.
 
Here are a few things to think about:
 

Establish media guidelines for your children

  • Set media time limits and stick to them. Experts recommend no more than one to two hours a day of screen time.
  • Check content and ratings at www.commonsensemedia.org in advance to choose media that is age-appropriate.
  • Keep media out of children's bedrooms. Locate media in a central place where their media use can be supervised.
  • Make a no media rule during mealtimes, while doing homework, and before bedtime.
  • Consider using parental controls - blocking technology like the V-Chip for TV or filtering software for the Internet.
  • Get kids into the habit of asking permission to use media.
  • Make sure child care providers and other caregivers know your media guidelines.
  • Push the remote button to "off" and get kids to read, exercise, or play every day for the same amount of time they spend using media.

Use media together and talk about what you see, hear, and read

  • Whenever you can, watch, play, listen, and surf with your kids. Talk about the content. When you can't be there, ask them about the media they've used.
  • Practice media literacy - help children question and analyze media messages by sharing your values. Let them know how you feel about solving problems with violence, stereotyping people, selling products using cartoon characters, or advertising to children in schools or movie theaters.
  • Help children connect what they learn in the media to events and other activities in which they're involved, like playing sports and creating art, in order to broaden their understanding of the world.

Be a role model

  • When children are around, set an example by using media the way you want them to use it.
  • Use the VCR or TiVo to record shows that may be inappropriate for your children to watch - even the news - and watch them at a later time when children are not around.

Voice your opinion and keep informed

  • Write a letter or send an email to let media companies and government representatives know what you don't like about media. 
  • Make sure to also let advertisers who sponsor the media know how you feel.  Don't forget to compliment media companies when you like something and would like to see more of it.
  • Help children write letters when they want media producers to know how they feel.
  • Keep informed about policy and research concerning children and media at www.commonsensemedia.org.

Visit www.commonsensemedia.org for more tips and to find the best media for your children based on their age and what they like.