Try media literacy exercises at home. News Analyze the stories in your local paper, or local TV evening news. Consumers Distinguish between what you need and what some advertiser is trying to make you want. Inventory your cabinets for highly-advertised products. It may be the best TV is none at all.
Evidence suggests that's true for kids under age eight.
They need human interaction and physical activity. Plan your TV watching, and theirs, like you would theater attendance. Watch TV and Internet sites with your kids. Talk it over. Ration kids' time with TV and the Internet.