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On average, the American child is in the company of his parent about 17 hours per week, with the media about 35 hours per week.  Of the two, parent and media, which is more entertaining to the child, and which more critical to his social and emotional development?

When the Media is the ParentOur children are being nurtured and guided by machines — modern media delivery systems – and the media they deliver.  They have taken over the parenting functions that once were performed by human beings.

This may sound like a horror movie plot from the 1950s, but it is a twenty-first century reality. All too often, well-meaning parents have abdicated their roles as nurturers, caregivers, teachers, confidantes, guides, and role models—leaving TV, videogames, movies, smart phones, and the internet to fill in. And our children are paying the price. Continue reading →

  • TV for kids: is it all bad?

    A terse article that tries to balance the pros and cons of TV watching for kids. It begins with a clear statement that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against kids watching TV before the age of 2 and that parents tend to use the TV as a babysitter much too often. Continue reading →

  • Kids learn a lot from the media, not all of it good

    A brief article along with a clever but telling video from Common Sense Media meant to dramatize a serious concern about how kids absorb words and expressions not just from parents and older siblings and peers, in a manner that is quite common, but also from the media. This fits nicely into my idea about how the media has become the parent. Continue reading →

  • Media devices may be eliminating human empathy

    A preposterous article on one level, yet sadly all too true. About how kids are spending so much time on smartphones and other electronic devices and so are not developing basic social skills. Continue reading →

  • Infants need to be active, not staring at screens
    Infants need to be active, not staring at screens

    A piece at once comical and rather sad. It's about a product developed by Fisher Price, which allows parents essentially to strap their infants and toddlers in front of a screen and ignore them. Continue reading →

  • Excessive screen time linked to anxiety and depression

    An arresting article about how a study published by Public Health England concludes that excessive screen time is linked to anxiety and depression and limits children's opportunities for social interaction and physical activity. Continue reading →

  • Social media amplifies peer pressure

    An alarming article in the popular press that describes a scholarly article just being published in regard to the effects of Facebook and other social media sites on adolescents's drinking and smoking use. Continue reading →

  • Three rules for toddlers and the TV

    An interesting article presented in a question and answer format. A parent is distressed about the temper tantrums of the 3 and 1/2 year old when the TV is turned off and asks what can be done. The problem is that the child is told that it's time to have the set turned off but goes ballistic when deprived of the tube. A common problem in the US and around the world. Continue reading →