Kids & TV Time

Dr. Dimitri Christakis is an expert on effects of media on kids' health and development at Seattle Children's Hospital. Here are his tips for managing kids' media consumption:

1. Limit total screen time (including TV, movies, and gaming) to no more than two hours per day. Less is better. And no TV at all for children under 2 years old.

2. Turn off the TV when a chosen program is over and during meals. Avoid having it on as background noise.

3. Keep TVs out of the bedrooms.

4. Plan media-free days when the TV stays off. Stock plenty of non-media activities in the same room as the TV.

5. Avoid using TV time as a reward.

6. Watch with your children and talk about what you see.