Discusses how parents can monitor their childrens' television viewing, offering tips to keep children entertained without television (e.g., move the television, set viewing rules, be aware of what children are watching, have other activities easily available, encourage reading and literacy, talk, invite friends over, promote hobbies, and share…

Television is a pervasive part of American culture and has the potential to make significant contributions to children's development. The quality of children's programming is the responsibility of the television industry, parents, educators, and society, all of whom must work together to control violence on television. (SM)

Four aspects of violence in the lives of U.S. children are of great concern today: children are involved in violence at every level, there are no safe harbors for many children, family violence is frequent, and society accepts violence as part of its culture. (SM)