Families can teach responsible behavior by being aware of what children are watching and by structuring activities that teach their family values. Use these suggested activities to help you develop your own to make television viewing a productive time. Return to Table of Contents Violence Eighty percent of prime-time TV programs are estimated to have at least one violent incident an hour. The average is 7.5 an hour. During Saturday morning cartoons, almost 25 violent incidents per hour occur.
Some researchers believe that children copy or model the many violent acts performed by TV heroes.
Children often repeat these acts because they think it is OK to treat others badly like the television heroes sometimes do. Ask your child how it feels to be hurt. Encourage your child to identify with the victims of television violence, not the aggressors. Return to Table of Contents Health Hidden messages are difficult for preschoolers to distinguish from the advertised product. Smiles, active characters, and lots of friends support hidden messages which suggest that the product promotes a healthy lifestyle.