December 13, 2010
Q: Is 15-20 hours per week too much time spent on video games–even if my son gets all A’s, and is involved with lots of other activities? Is gaming a good use of his downtime?
A: There is no magic number of appropriate gaming hours: The key is to ensure that gaming doesn’t get in the way of the other important activities of life—like homework, family meals, and sleep.
December 1, 2010
Q: My middle-schooler seems like a zombie during the day since we agreed to let her have a cell phone. What’s going on here?
A: Like most tweens and teens, your daughter probably uses her phone primarly as a platform for texting–thus, she may sleep with it on a nightstand or even under her pillow, just in case she receives…
August 6, 2010
Q: My friend’s child gets up in the middle of the night to play video games and she isn’t concerned about it at all, but it makes me worried. Should I say something or mind my own business?
July 23, 2010
Q: My 12-year-old son wanted a PS3, partly as a birthday gift and partly out of money he’s saved. This was to replace his PS2 because some of the games he wanted were not available for PS2. His PS2 is in his room on a non-cable hooked up TV so that all of his approved, […]
April 8, 2010
Q: In order to teach my daughter about stranger danger, I told her the news story about Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapping. Now she’s too scared to sleep. What can I do?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®
October 27, 2009
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
September 14, 2009
Q: My boys, now 15 & 17, are so different. I’ve noticed that my two kids can watch the same violent programs and, depending on each child’s nature, they respond differently. Is it true that after viewing violent programs, some children will behave more aggressively while some children become more fearful? If yes, can you explain how that happens? Any chance that some children are not affected at all?
Answer from Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician
August 3, 2009
Q: My children like to watch TV before bed, and they often fall asleep while it’s still on. I have a feeling that that’s not good for them, but I’m not sure why. Can you offer any guidance?
May 29, 2009
Q: The television is a constant source of conflict in our house. I am always battling with my 2nd and 5th grade kids about how much TV they watch, but I’m not even sure what a good limit would be. How much TV is too much TV?
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