Parenting Article No. 99

TV AND COMPUTER GAMES – GOOD OR BAD?

We live in an electronic age of Children vary in their reaction to violence but they computer chips and high definition, are usually disturbed by violence in the home, to digital television. The images we other children and to animals. Research has shown receive in our homes whether current that children who see a lot of violence are more likely world news, nature programs or reality to use aggression to solve a problem; be anxious TV are so real we can almost touch them. Even about scary things that might happen in the world and animations have become life-like with incredible become less sensitive to violence in real life. computer graphics. Our children are exposed to the Try these tips: images they see on television, DVDs, Playstation, Gameboys, DS, Wii and all the variations of  Choose what your children can watch rather electronic gizmos, from a young age. This technology than just leave the TV on and let it baby-sit stimulates the brain and can affect development in them. both positive and negative ways.  Talk about programs or view with them programs you are unsure about. Ask your children what they think of the characters, So how does it affect children? are they real? Children take in all the messages they receive and this will impact on them in different ways depending  Don’t let your children control the remote. on their age and stage of development as well as their Have rules about when the TV is on and off. temperament. In general, pre-school children have  Watch a program together as a family. difficulty distinguishing make-believe from reality on  With computer games, set time limits and TV. They can view cartoon characters as real and are stick to them. The games can be addictive but attracted by colour, activity, music and fun. Hence, hour after hour focusing on a screen is too the popularity of High Five, The Wiggles, ‘Dora the intense. Children can become cranky and Explorer’ to name a few. frustrated if they don’t have the opportunity Under 10’s can still struggle to work out the to use up physical energy. difference between fantasy and reality, especially if it looks like real life. Boys are attracted to male hero  If you buy a new computer game, don’t just figures and girls want to be a princess. give it to the children. Let them earn time on it by helping. Use it as a reward for good Older primary school age children can be disturbed behaviour. Then put it away. This way the by images of natural disasters or war, as it could game will retain some attraction. mean it could happen to them. They want to grow up and are curious about the world of teenagers, fashion,  Have a list or make suggestions of other sex and relationships. things the children can do when the TV is off. Remember, as well as playing, children Children can learn a lot of positive things from what like doing things with you, whether that’s they watch on TV and the computer games they cooking together, helping hanging out the spend time on. However, children are also trying to washing or digging in the garden. make sense of their world and this is influenced by the lifestyles and behaviours they see portrayed. Children need a balance. They need to play make- HAPPY PARENTING! believe, run around outside, look at books, have stories read to them, chatter to other children and parents.

For a complete list of Regional Parenting Service articles go to the City of Greater Geelong website www.geelongaustralia.com.au/community/family/services/article/8cbc84b53070368.aspx