Education & Learning

Does multitasking with media distract kids from homework?
Does multitasking with media distract kids from homework? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: When my daughter does her homework, she also has open 5 other computer programs at the same time. How will this affect her schoolwork?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Is there anything wrong with letting my 18-month-old watch the episode of Sesame Street that he loves?
Is there anything wrong with letting my 18-month-old watch the episode of Sesame Street that he loves? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My very active 18-month-old loves one particular episode of Sesame Street. Although I know children under two should be discouraged from watching TV, is it harmful for him to watch Sesame Street?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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My 9 year old is imitating Michael Jackson’s dance moves, how can I talk to him about it?
My 9 year old is imitating Michael Jackson’s dance moves, how can I talk to him about it? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 9 year old son has recently started imitating Michael Jackson’s dance moves (crotch grabbing and all!). I don’t think he understands what he’s doing; how can I explain to him in a sensitive way what those moves mean?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Will watching telenovelas harm my 2 year old?
Will watching telenovelas harm my 2 year old? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My husband and I immigrated to the US in 2003 and often watch telenovelas with our 2 year old son. How will I know if they affect him negatively?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Are any computer games okay for my 7 year old?
Are any computer games okay for my 7 year old? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Are there any good computer games for my 7 year old daughter?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Can you tell me more about the recommended 1 hour media limit?
Can you tell me more about the recommended 1 hour media limit? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: When we hear that children should not be exposed to more than 1 hour of screen time per day, does that mean that all media are created equal? For example, are watching a movie, watching an age-appropriate TV show, and playing an interactive children’s website game all the same? What are the concerns about and benefits of each?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, the Mediatrician

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My teen daughter is addicted to TV. Please help!
My teen daughter is addicted to TV. Please help! 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I have a daughter who just turned 15 and is truly addicted to watching TV. I try to impose limits, but she refuses. Please help. Answer by Dr. Michael Rich, the Mediatrician

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Disney is offering full refunds for Baby Einstein videos–should I turn mine in?
Disney is offering full refunds for Baby Einstein videos–should I turn mine in? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I hear that Disney is offering full refunds for Baby Einstein videos, but I don’t really understand why. I received some of these videos as baby shower gifts and my 7-month-old son seems to enjoy them. What do you recommend?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, the Mediatrician

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How can we get our 6-year-old’s teacher to make better media choices in the classroom?
How can we get our 6-year-old’s teacher to make better media choices in the classroom? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Our daughter’s teacher shows G-rated Disney movies and even some PG movies to “give the kids a break.” Is there any research that would be helpful in guiding a school to make better, more deliberate media choices?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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How can we help our teen son manage media so they don’t interfere with his life?
How can we help our teen son manage media so they don’t interfere with his life? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Texting, cruising the Internet, and Facebooking are interfering with my son’s academic goals. What facts and tips can you share that will help my wife and me and, ultimately, our son learn to manage media wisely?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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