University of Wisconsin - Extension

Every weekday Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) broadcasts seven hours of "Wisconsin PBS Kids" programming. These nonviolent, commercial-free offerings introduce young viewers to people of different cultures, races and abilities while providing a basis for learning. However, WPT recognizes that kids can easily switch channels to view programming that does not have children¿s welfare at heart.

Too much TV has negative effects

Studies show that more than four hours of daily viewing may interfere with language skills, creativity and academic achievement, contribute to decreased participation in extracurricular activities and may be a factor in obesity.

WPT's "Wisconsin PBS Kids" educational outreach staff recommends that families limit viewing to no more than 10 hours weekly, monitor programs and discuss the content.

WPT offers TV workshops

"We take seriously the notion of being a place to grow through learning and encourage families to adopt responsible viewing habits," says WPT Children's Outreach Manager Lynne Blinkenberg. "That¿s why WPT offers workshops for parents and child-care providers on extending the value of television, making smart media choices and dealing with violence on television," Blinkenberg adds.

On commercial television, children see stereotypes such as helpless women, forgetful or inactive senior citizens and minorities living under poor conditions or depicted as "bad guys." Parents can counteract these negative impressions and use them to facilitate discussion.

Parents can teach kids how to view TV

Parents can also teach children to question the reliability of television information and advertising by discussing what they know about obtaining information this way and how it may conflict with another source.

WPT encourages parents to monitor programs with violent content, discuss how violence is used to solve conflict and whether the person involved was a "good guy." Children should consider whether violence is okay if a "good guy" performs it.

WPT recommends the Media Awareness Network's "Screen Smarts" guidelines as a format for critical and responsible television viewing in children.

For more information: http://wpt.org/kids/workshops/">wpt.org/kids/workshops, kids@wpt.org"> kids@wpt.org or (608) 265-5035

10 "Screen Smarts"

1. Watch TV with children and talk about it.

2. Talk about whether TV people look like real people.

3. Discuss whether TV people act like real people.

4. Ask kids what they think of the lives of the characters portrayed on TV.

5. Talk about stereotypes and explain what they are.

6. Examine and raise questions about all forms of advertising (TV, magazines, billboards, etc.).

7. Help kids understand TV genres.

8. Explain that TV is a business and that the business of commercial TV is to sell products to viewers.

9. Question children about violence on TV and consider what is appropriate viewing.

10. Explain that what is not shown on TV¿¿the people, opinions and lifestyles that are absent¿¿is also important.