Time famine in contemporary family life is not just about over-scheduling ourselves and our children.  It’s also about the power of electronic technologies, particularly television, video games, CD players, computers, and the Internet. These media technologies can be used to enhance family connections, but in practice they tend to isolate family members from one another by creating electronic cocoons.

Television takes up far too much of our valuable time, averaging about 4 hours daily. Screen time cuts into family time, harms our children's ability to read and succeed in school, and contributes to unhealthy lifestyles and obesity. Because children are influenced by what their parents do, it is important that your efforts (to watch less TV, eat better, exercise more), is done as a family.

Tips to Reduce Screen Time

• Keep the TV off during meals. Meals are a great time for conversation
• Designate certain days of the week as TV or screen free days.
• Remove the TV, computer or video games from your child’s bedroom. This draws children away from family activities.

Don’t worry if children say they are bored. Boredom passes and often leads to creativity.

Please TELL US how your family controls "screen time" so we can share it with others.

TV Turn Off Week

Taking Charge of Your TV

TV: Eating Up Family Meal Time

TV-Free! 25 Fun Things to Do When the TV Is Off

Turn Off the TV and Get Active

Break Free From TV; Physical Activity Fact Sheet

TV has an "On/Off Switch."

Break Free of TV