These days children hope that Father Christmas will be filling their stockings with videos, DVD's and computer games. Over the Christmas period, with no boring old school to get in the way, viewing hours soar and the TV may be on all day. A little bit of television is fine, but hour after hour is not good for anyone and there are several reasons why it may be harmful. There's precious little conversation or communication as everyone's attention gets drawn towards the set.
Interaction is brief, usually directed at events on the screen.
Any continuity of conversation is thwarted, replaced by the instant gratification and excitement of the screen. There's no doubt that what children see on the TV shapes their view of the world. TV also carries strong messages about sexual attitudes, racial and sexual stereotypes, and habits such as drinking and smoking, as well as many other important aspects of life. But you can prevent this. A couple of years ago hundreds of children in Japan were admitted to hospital with fits, vomiting, eye irritation and breathing difficulties, following a screening of a Pokemon cartoon.