Children today live in a multimedia world that influences them from the day they are born and as they grow and develop. Television programs, movies, and videos with their images, portrayals, and creative storytelling teach young viewers something about themselves and the world around them. 

Media influences children in different ways. A 2 to 3 year old does not yet understand the difference between make-believe and reality. By age 4 children begin to understand the distinction between real objects and televised images and from 6 to 10 years their judgments about reality increase. By about age 10, judgments are about as accurate as an adults. 

Media has the power to change a child’s social attitudes and beliefs about the way people behave in the real world. Changes in perspective can affect the actual behavior of children. Children who are exposed to violence on TV can become immune to the horrors of violence, gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems, and/or imitate the violence they observe. Furthermore, watching violence can influence the way that children view society. The greater the amount of violence that children see, the greater the likelihood they will perceive the world as being mean and risky. 

However, media also serves as a valuable educational tool. Images on a screen are attractive and can make information easier to remember. 

Here are some tips to make screentime a positive experience for your child:

1. Monitor the programs your child watches.

2. Set limits on the amount of time children are allowed to watch. The following are recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting.

• Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.

• For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.

• For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.

• Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.

3. Refuse to let children see shows that are violent or offensive.

4. Express disapproval of violence or inappropriate behaviors/actions, stressing that the behavior is not the way to solve a problem. This will help them learn more about good decisions and bad decisions.

5. Highlight and discuss important information provided by the movie, video, or show. 

Talking to your child about what they watch is a powerful way to increase the benefits of screentime.