Parents play the most important role to ensure that media influences are positive.
A recent study suggests parents could be more vigilant in monitoring family media use. On May 6, findings from a new study were released, revealing significant relationships between a family's media habits and children's school performance, attitudes and behavior. The study revealed a concrete relationship between a family's media habits and student performance in school. It also showed that parents who demonstrate a high awareness of the role of media in their children's lives, monitor its use and encourage alternative activities are more likely to have children who do better in school than parents who demonstrate less awareness, less monitoring and less encouragement of alternative activities. According to this and other studies, a week in the life of the average American child includes 25 hours of television, seven hours of video games, and four hours of using the Internet.