TV and Teens
Next to the family, television (TV) has the greatest social impact on teens. The average twelve to seventeen year old watches about 23 hours of TV per week. You may know that TV has both good and not so good effects. It is not always clear how to use TV in a positive, creative way and protect yourself from the negative effects. As health care providers we recognize the impact TV has on a variety of health-related behaviors. We feel it is important to provide you with the tools you need to "Take Control" of the TV. You know yourself best and will need to decide what works best for you. Please feel free to discuss any issues or problems related to TV with you healthcare provider.

TV Facts
Today's young peoples pend more time watching TV (15,000 hours) than they do in school (11,000 hours). During an average year, American youth are exposed to:

• More than 14,000 sexual references and jokes, yet less than 175 will deal with self-control behaviors
• Between 1,000 and 2,000 beer and wine commercials
• More than 1,000 murders, rapes, assaults, and armed robberies, and
• Nearly 20,000 commercials

Effects of TV Viewing
Good

Age appropriate TV can teach good behaviors and thinking skills. Appropriate viewing can promote:

• Imaginary Skills - TV teaches you how to develop and use your imagination
• Role Playing - Young people can learn adult roles by watching them on TV. We all tend to copy behaviors that are rewarded. Notice what roles and actions are rewarded on TV.
• Family Values - You can learn about family values through TV viewing
• Decision Making - You can help set TV viewing rules that allow you to make choices and develop good habits
• Good Behaviors - TV can be used as a reward for other good behaviors

Not so Good

TV is not selective in what it teaches. Along with positive effects, it can give unhealthy, false or negative messages. Too much or inappropriate viewing can have the following effects:

• Reality Check - TV is sometimes used to tune-out others or escape from the real world. This can cause you to miss out on real world experiences
• The Quick Fix - TV often gives false views of quick answers and rapid rewards.
• Violence - Young people (particularly boys) who watch TV violence are more likely to imitate more aggressive acts, become less sensitive to pain and suffering of others, and may become fearful of the world around them. You may become used to repetitive or violent acts seen on TV. Weapons are often shown as attractive; guilt and remorse are sparse or absent
• Sexuality - TV is likely to present mature content. Moral values shown on TV may differ from your personal beliefs. Sex is used to sell products, shows and ideas. TV often oversells patterns of personal gratification and under tells the risks of such behaviors. Soap operas and music videos have been identified as the worst offenders.
• Stereotypes - TV may present roles based on race, gender, age and physical beauty. Values of youth and physical attractiveness develop based on these biases.
• Lifestyle Habits - TV promotes inactivity which brings an increased risk for obesity. In addition, TV promotes unhealthy behaviors such as risk taking, eating junk food, smoking, and alcohol use. Too much viewing leaves you with little time for other activities and experiences.
• Programming - Special tactics including volume changes, intense plots, suspense, loud music and rapid-fire commercials are used to grab your attention and hold it.

General Guidelines for Parents

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting TV viewing to 1-2 hours per day
• Help your teen choose what to watch and plan viewing time carefully
• Watch TV with your teen and discuss what you watch with them
• Encourage watching high-quality programs and talk to your teen about why
• Find constructive alternatives to watching TV
• Do not allow your teen to watch programs you strongly oppose and talk to them about why
• Be a good role model. You may need to look at your own viewing habits
• Encourage your teen to express views about TV programming

More TV Facts

• For every hour of TV watched per day by teens, the risk of obesity is increased by two percent according to one study
• Alcohol is involved in 25-50% of all teen deaths
• Studies have consistently documented that more tan one to two hours of TV viewing a day has a negative effect on school performance, especially reading scores

What You Can Do
Take Control

• Make family rules about TV and stick to them. Decide what you want to change about your current viewing habits
• Set limits on TV viewing time (hours p[er day and when the TV should be off)
• Select TV shows ahead of time
• Use a TV guide instead of flipping through channels with a remote control
• Keep TV out of your room
• Turn TV off during mealtime and while doing other things
• Schedule TV time around your schedule
• Leave the TV off when doing your homework This will allow you to concentrate more and finish earlier
• Special devices can be bought which lock out or preset programs, channels and times for TV viewing
• Watch TV with family and friends
• Discuss issues seen on TV. Talk about your opinions with family and friends
• Use sensitive topic themes seen on TV to raise discussion with others
• If you are watching something violent think of other ways to solve problems without hurting someone or something. Talk about why nonviolence is important to you
• Talk about TV production techniques used to grab and keep your attention
• When you watch commercials try to identify what techniques are being used to sell the product
• When you see food commercials on TV think about what is in the product and if it is good for you. Discuss if they are good food choices
• Compare what you see on TV with people, places an events you have seen or learned about
• Use books to learn more about topics on TV that interest you
• Vote on whether shows are worth watching again
• Express your opinions about TV viewing with friends and family or by writing to local stations or national networks

20 Things To Do

1. Puzzles
2. Play board or card games
3. Draw or paint
4. Start a new hobby
5. Write a letter
6. Have a family night
7. Watch videotapes instead of regular TV
8. Exercise - Go for a walk, swim, play ball, bike, etc.
9. Collect something
10. Visit the library, museums, mall or other points of interest
11. Play a musical instrument
12. Read
13. Cook
14. Play educational computer games
15. Go to an arts or sports event
16. Join a club or activity group
17. Start a newsletter for friends and family
18. Plant a garden
19. Make something with clay
20. Listen to music, sing and dance