Join the growing number of families across the nation, including those at High Point Christian Academy, who plan to pull the plug on their television sets during the seventh annual TV-Turnoff Week. Just think of the possibilities. You'll be in great company. Thousands of schools, churches, civic groups and Scout troops all across the country have pledged to participate, including more than three dozen organizations in North Carolina. The American Medical Association, the National Education Association and the Congress of National Black Churches are among the national organizations that endorse the idea.
Children watch as much television in one day as they read for fun in an entire week.
About 88 percent of households have two TVs, and many children have TVs in their rooms. The industry provides precious little programming of value. The Federal Communication Commission asks broadcasters to provide three hours of educational programming a day. A study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in Pennsylvania found that as much as one-quarter of the programming billed as educational isn't. Study after study suggests that overexposure to violent media can desensitize kids and make them more aggressive.