This booklet points out the pitfalls of excessive TV viewing, and offers practical ways for families to use television positively. Television, the book says, is not necessarily good or bad, and its impact on the health and development of children may be either helpful or harmful.
Television can be a valuable resource for children.
The impact that television has on children may be affected by the emotional state and age of the child, the environment in which the child watches television and the quality of the relationships between members of the family. The point about children of these ages, the book says, is that they aren't intellectually, socially and emotionally mature enough to interpret what they see on television. They can't understand the emotional cause and effect which underlies what they see. So, if they see a violent cartoon or movie they may not realise the consequences of violence - pain and death. Children can, therefore, copy the action and violence they see without understanding the consequences, and they may harm themselves or others.