by Carol Gioia

Created on: May 25, 2007   Last Updated: April 26, 2012

Television can be a positive influence and a valuable parenting tool to rely upon when raising children, if time spent and content viewed is judiciously  monitored by the parents.  Viewing choices geared to the age of the child and used with discretion allows television to be a means for parents to provide valuable learning opportunities for their children.

Some advantages making television an effective parenting tool:

Expands child's horizons

Like books, television can expand a child's experience far beyond the parameters of his/her own family and community. Good examples of quality educational viewing are the discovery channel and the travel channel.

Provides educational opportunities

Some of the children's channels, like Disney and Nickelodeon, are adept at weaving educational opportunities into their entertainment programing.

Encourages all-inclusive attitudes

Children's programs often display diverse groups of children from various ethnic backgrounds, teaching your children to be all-inclusive and to view differences as a positive. Children's television programs are also less apt to display gender bias, giving young viewers  the opportunity to absorb lessons about equality.

Instills healthy awareness

Preschool children's shows are beginning to address the epidemic of obesity in our society by incorporating exercise into their programs. This is responsible television at its best.

Fosters family togetherness

Television can be a great resource to foster family togetherness. The Hallmark channel features movies the family can watch together. PBS and the history channel are informative, educational and entertaining for all age levels.

Assists teaching values

Watching television together as a family can motivate conversation, prompt debate, and instill good family values through discussion. Many important life lessons can be learned by incorportating conversation about the content into a session of television viewing.

There is a downside to children watching television. Too much time spent in front of the television is apt to be harmful. Television is not the babysitter.   Parents must be vigilant at all times, diligently monitoring even the cartoon channels, for sometimes violent content creeps in. Parental discretion is always advised in regard to children watching television.

Parents might also want to monitor the commercials featured with their child's favorite programs. Sometimes the program is quality,

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