Ways to Tell a Kid Too Much TV & Video Games Are Not Good

Excessive consumption of TV and video games can be a major problem for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children in the U.S. between the ages of 8 and 18 average 7.5 hours a day engrossed in entertainment media, which includes TV, video games, computers, cell phones and movies. Not only does TV and video-game consumption impede physical activity, it also exposes children to violence and inappropriate advertising. As a parent, you understand the risks involved and explaining those risks to your children is critical in helping curb unhealthy habits.

  1. Increased Risks for Obesity

    • Whenever your child is watching TV or playing video games, he is sedentary. He̵7;s not get stronger. He̵7;s not getting better at games and sports and he̵7;s not using the energy provided by his food. Use a burned-calorie calculator to show your child how many calories he burns while playing basketball or running as opposed to watching TV or playing video games. For example, a 70-pound child that just shoots baskets for an hour will burn about 100 calories. If he plays a basketball game, he̵7;ll burn more than 200 calories. However, if he is sedentary while watching TV or playing video games, he will burn nearly no calories.

    Increased Exposure to Violence

    • Talk to your child about his emotions when he plays video games or watches violent TV shows. Let him know that these are designed to make people feel scared or angry. Shows and games use music and special effects to add to the sense of danger. That̵7;s why some people will stay angry or afraid even after a show or game is over. This may lead to nightmares or loss of sleep. Ask your child to think about how he feels after watching a scary movie or playing a violent video game.

    Video Games Can Hurt

    • Playing video games can hurt your body. When players sit hunched over a controller, it puts stress on your child̵7;s shoulders and arms. In addition, constantly using a game controller can hurt her wrists and thumbs. Even sitting at a computer for long hours can lead to tendon problems or shoulder stress. Ask your child if she feels sore after playing games for a long time.

    Setting Reasonable Limits

    • Talk to your child about setting reasonable limits. Those limits might change depending on the day of the week or time of year. TV and video games should be enjoyed after all chores and homework are done and she has actively played for at least an hour. So after a full day of school, homework, play and chores, it might be reasonable to watch 30 minutes of TV or so. But during weekends, summer time or school vacations, you may consider allowing your child to watch or play a little longer. Even so, try to watch TV or play video games with your child. Talk to her about what you watch. Teach her that the world has a lot more to offer than what is splashed across a TV screen.

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