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Marketing gets to us all, but children are really susceptible to marketing tactics. I can tell you from personal experience that every time I get lax on screen time, my kids are bugging me to buy things they never even knew existed. One time my son even told me that we should get the dishwashing detergent that makes your dishes sparkle and shine just like on the TV. Other times I have caught my daughter singing the jingles for prescription drug commercials. Wow, those marketers are really good at their job! I suppose that is why in 2012 Disney agreed not to advertise for certain junk foods on their channels. As far as how much exposure to TV is okay, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for kids under the age of 2 and to limit to less than 1 hour per day for ages 2-5. I believe it is also important to shelter your kids (and yourself) from advertising. Until they are old enough to understand marketing techniques and be able to distinguish reality from persuasion, you need to protect them! This will breed kids who are not always trying to keep up with the Joneses and feel like they have to have the latest and greatest. If you don’t know it exists, you don’t know that you need it. To tie this into plastic reduction: if you reduce screen time and expose your kids to less advertising, they are less likely to be begging for plastic items. Decreased obesity rates and better sleep are other bonuses.
Today’s challenge: Turn off the TV and find another activity you and your kids can do today. Take a hike, play a game, read a book, or set up a craft activity. Make it a habit to do this more often. When you just can’t do it anymore and need that screen, first of all, I hear you – sometimes you need a break. So, when it is time to lean on the screens, opt for quality programming without advertising. I am a big proponent of PBS kids; no commercials and usually educational. I also love on demand Nature shows. If you have access to Disney Plus, Netflix, and other streaming services, you should be able to get commercial free kid and adult programming. As your kids get older, it is important to also talk about advertising and explain that the commercials are trying to sell something and are not necessarily telling you the truth. Sometimes I need this reminder myself!
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