Look Smart: Choosing What To Watch

Do you watch TV to relax? Most kids do. What some kids don’t think about is what the TV is actually saying to them. TV shows, movies, commercials, and video games all show us ways that people act and things that they do. It’s important to think carefully about what you watch though, so that it doesn’t change the way you act.

When you watch TV shows and movies, or play video games, watch out for violence, or people hurting other people. Violence on TV, where no one really gets hurt, is different from violence in real life. When people are violent in real life (such as when they’re acting like bullies), someone gets hurt. And not just one person—the violent person gets in trouble, the victim gets hurt, and everyone who cares about both people ends up sad, too. Part of being smart about how you watch is seeing the difference between TV and real life. When you watch TV with your family, talk about how what you see is different from reality, and what is left out on TV.

Once you have learned to see the difference between TV and real life, you’ll know when to change the channel or turn the TV off. Watching violence is bad for people. If what you’re watching or playing is violent, turn it off. Watch something else. Play outside. Sometimes it’s that simple to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime.”