Television is the primary source of entertainment for American children today. There is a vast literature explaining how the media influences children's beliefs and behavior. As a mother, I refuse to let a television give my child a real-world education. Parents, we must take a stand and control how our young people view media to enable a positive and healthy childhood. One way to reduce the impact of television on children is to offer fewer TVs in the home. A study published in Pediatrics, an academic journal, recognizes that the majority of parents do not habitually regulate their children's use of television. (Donnerstein and Strasburger, par. 3) Parents, we must set limits for our children. Not allowing your child to have a television in their bedroom will limit their TV viewing. However, there are many other reasons why children should not have a TV in the bedroom. Pediatrics for Parents published a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics entitled “TV Watching and Social Skill” in which they report that “children with a TV in the bedroom have more sleep problems and less emotional reactivity” (NA, par . 3). Another idea is to purchase “television budget devices” (Munson and Smith, para. 2). “Boob-tube kids” in Prevention magazine informs parents about devices that “block certain viewing hours” on televisions. (Munson and Smith, para. 4) The article points out that “TV budget devices are not widely available” but are gaining popularity. (Munson and Smith, para. 5) Increasing family activities will directly lead to your child watching less TV. Inventing family rituals that apply to your home environment will increase family unity. Establishing a dinnertime routine will have multiple benefits… middle of paper… Smarter TV viewing,” author Brain Stonehill states that “the quality of our vision – and therefore, in a world saturated with media, the quality of our life – depends on the attention we put into choosing what to watch and what to turn off”. (Stonehill, par. 5) TV is part of our culture, so parents need to evaluate how their children interact with today's media technology. As an element of today's youth, TV should be incorporated in a way that minimizes its negative effects on childhood. Marie Winn, author of “Television: The Plug-In-Drug,” notes how “parents have accepted a family life dominated by television” (Winn 437). This attitude is no longer acceptable in parenting. Parents must dictate teenagers' media consumption by ensuring it is not overused or misused. Simply staying involved in a child's media exposure will help alleviate the destructive impact on childhood.