The goal of the group is to promote healthier lives by encouraging children and adults to watch less television. Founded as TV-Free America in 1994, the group wants people to realize they can turn off the television and reclaim time for family, friends, hobbies and more activities. At the same time, the TV-Turnoff Network acknowledges that there is some worthy programming on television and realizes that the majority of Americans will turn the set back on when the event is over. The average American spends four hours a day watching television. That adds up to more than one day a week, two months a year and nine years by age 65.
Heavy television watching, experts say, creates passive kids who lack creativity and imagination.
It also shortens attention spans and increases hyperactivity and obesity. No habit undermines school performance to the extent that excessive television watching does. Numerous studies demonstrate a strong link between the increase in television watching and the decline in reading and literacy. Experts say if you can put up with 20 minutes of whining, your children likely will find something else to do. Often the most difficult family member to convince to participate is Dad, who might be hooked on news, financial information or sports.