How will TV affect our 3-month-old?
September 3, 2009
Q: Our 3-month-old son stares at the TV intensely, like he knows what he’s watching. Are there any effects because he’s so young?
How will TV affect our 3-month-old?
Does spending time in front of screens really raise kids’ blood pressure?
August 31, 2009
Q: I heard a report on the news that too much time in front of TV or computer screens can raise kids’ blood pressure. Is that just for more action-oriented shows and games? And is even a little screen time a problem for kids’ hearts?
My 4 year old is obsessed with the Disney Channel, what should I do?
August 20, 2009
Q: Recently my 4 year old daughter has found a new, almost obsessive interest in the Disney Channel shows (Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, etc). TV was never a problem before, but now she would rather watch these shows than do anything else. I also think that these shows may be too big-kid for her. What do you think, and how can I get her away from the TV without fuss?
Are Star Wars and Disney Princesses the only options?
August 17, 2009
Q: I went into a party store to look for decorations for my son’s upcoming birthday party and everywhere I looked, the choices were either Star Wars or Disney princesses. Are we raising our boys to be violent and our girls to have Cinderella expectations of the world?
What are some good kids’ movies for my 5 year old to enjoy?
August 13, 2009
Q: They don’t seem to make enough good kids’ movies that don’t feature in-your-face dialog, terrifying characters, fast cuts, or just over-the-top crazy stuff designed mainly for adult audiences (that I have to spend half the movie explaining to my 5 year old). As a Mediatrician and film buff, can you recommend a few of your favorites, either classic or contemporary?
Will video games cause seizures in my children?
August 11, 2009
Q: The manual for my teenage son’s favorite video game contains a warning that says that some games cause seizures and that parents should watch for seizure symptoms or ask their children if they’ve experienced any symptoms while playing. I can’t monitor every minute of game play, and if I asked my son about it, I’m not sure he would admit any symptoms to anything he thought might lead me to limit his game time. How worried should I be?
How do I know when my child is ready for TV?
August 4, 2009
Q: I read your response about baby videos and learning, and I’m wondering — Rather than relying on age, is there some developmental signal that indicates a child can handle/process television and such?
Is it okay for my kids to fall asleep in front of the TV?
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?
If my kids grow up without TV, will they feel left out?
July 30, 2009
Q: Our family does not have a TV or video game system in our house since my husband and I don’t approve of the shows and games that are out there. Some of my friends tell us that the kids will feel left out of social groups since they won’t know about the shows and characters their friends talk about. What do you think?
How should parents introduce TV to their kids after they turn 2?
July 27, 2009
Q: I am an educator, and I often recommend to parents that they follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for no TV under age 2. I’d love to be able to tell parents how to go about introducing TV to kids after they turn 2. What do you recommend I say to them?