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TV & Movies

Should we keep kids away from media after the Boston Marathon bombings?
 Should we keep kids away from media after the Boston Marathon bombings? 150 150 Mediatrics

Dear Readers, Our hearts hurt after Monday's explosions at the Boston Marathon. The pain and shock in our community is palpable, and it’s hard to know where to go from here. But there is also a remarkable upsurge of help and love that sprang out of the shadow of this event. The Center on Media…

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If TV contributes to obesity, should I limit my kids’ screen time to video games and computers?
 If TV contributes to obesity, should I limit my kids’ screen time to video games and computers? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I just saw that you published a study about childhood obesity and watching TV. From the article I read, it sounds like kids who watch TV and commercials for high-calorie foods are more likely to be obese—but that playing video games and using the computer aren’t a problem. Does this mean I should limit…

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The Mediatrician’s tips for choosing family-friendly holiday films
 The Mediatrician’s tips for choosing family-friendly holiday films 150 150 Mediatrics

The holiday season is often filled with family traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, year after year. From special foods, activities and decorations, to visiting with family and friends, this is the time of the year when we celebrate traditions and look to share them with our children and the ones we…

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It feels like 9/11 all over again. Our world has changed—forever. Now what do I do?
 It feels like 9/11 all over again. Our world has changed—forever. Now what do I do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I am the mother of a 5 year old, an 8 year old and a 12 year old. I am numb with grief, fear, and rage… yes, rage. Rage at myself and at my society, more than anything else. I am numb, but not immobile. Last night I went through all of our DVDs…

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Do pop-up ads affect young children?
 Do pop-up ads affect young children? 150 150 Mediatrics

My almost 3-year-old son loves to watch Caillou on Sprout, a TV channel that carries programming for infants and young children. Throughout Caillou, there are many pop-ups that soundlessly advertise Sprout or the next show that will air. These pop-ups distract me as an adult. Have there have been any studies on how they affect young…

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We gather together.
 We gather together. 150 150 Mediatrics

Thanksgiving is considered a time of reflection, giving thanks, family togetherness, and, of course, delicious food. But when all the toasts have been made, the plates cleared, and the leftovers tucked away, it can be easy to fall into a state of media mindlessness—dozing off in front of the TV, checking cell phones for scores…

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My children’s school uses TV during rest time, lunch time, and recess–what should I do?
 My children’s school uses TV during rest time, lunch time, and recess–what should I do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: At my children’s elementary school, TV is used every day in kindergarten during “rest time.” For the older students, how TV is used varies depending on the teacher or assistant teacher. Some use it during lunch to keep kids quiet or in lieu of recess when it’s raining or cold outside. Do you know…

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Making ‘friends’ with your children’s media—and how it can help you parent
 Making ‘friends’ with your children’s media—and how it can help you parent 150 150 Mediatrics

The Mediatrician® contributed to the following post on A Platform for Good, the Family Online Safety Institute's resource page and blog. Last winter, a father read an angry letter his 15-year-old daughter had posted on Facebook. In response, he put nine bullets into her laptop and posted the video online. Within weeks, it had garnered millions…

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How can I tell if I am being too strict with my kids’ media?
 How can I tell if I am being too strict with my kids’ media? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I have 4 boys (ages 11, 9, 9, and 7), and I am rather strict about limiting their screen time: We don’t allow any during the school week, and on the weekend, we allow the boys 1 hour per day. I have also told my oldest son that when he is at someone else’s house,…

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Our 8-year-old was upset by a scene she saw in a movie–what should we do?
 Our 8-year-old was upset by a scene she saw in a movie–what should we do? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: As a treat, we let our 8-year-old daughter go see a movie we hadn’t seen yet–and even though it was a PG comedy, she was terrified when a dead body fell out of a closet on screen. Since then she has been asking us about why people kill people and is having a hard time sleeping. What should we do?

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