Television

Abstract

Children watch many hours of television each week. Television programs can be accessed on traditional television sets and on tablets and phones. Television provides information, knowledge, and entertainment, and can be a positive experience for children, through which they learn about the world. Television broadcasts can be less beneficial if children spend so much time in front of a screen that they are not engaged in more healthy activities. Television broadcasts may present a biased view of the world, for example, by showing inaccurate gender or racial stereotypes, or by promoting unattainable ideals of beauty or success. Children's television may also include inappropriate content, including advertisements for unhealthy products. Media literacy programs and other interventions are possible ways to protect children from the negative influences of television.