Most everyone has a strong opinion — positive or negative — about the impact of television on children. Truthfully, I feel both ways.

When television is used as a babysitter, I lean negative. Children will happily sit and watch almost anything put in front of them, but they’re unlikely to get much benefit from it. Hours of unfiltered viewing don’t enrich a child’s mind — they simply keep them occupied.

On the other hand, television can be a wonderful teaching tool when used thoughtfully. The quality of programming today is remarkable, but the challenge for parents is sorting out the mediocre from the excellent.

One of the best strategies is recording or previewing shows. That way, you know in advance whether a program is educational and age-appropriate. Left unchecked, television often exposes children to endless advertisements and shallow entertainment. But when parents take the time to curate, television can open doors to animals, history, science, language, social issues, and the wider world.

For instance, Sesame Street has taught generations of children letters, numbers, and social skills through songs and stories. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood modeled kindness, patience, and emotional growth. Today, programs like Bluey (teaching empathy and imagination), Wild Kratts (bringing science and animals to life), and Octonauts (introducing oceanography and teamwork) carry on that tradition.

Yes, this takes effort. But over time, parents get a sense of which programs are consistently worthwhile. Recording, reviewing, and discarding becomes easier — and the payoff is significant.

Of course, there are better ways for children to spend long stretches of time: reading a book, building a puzzle, running outside to play ball. These activities spark imagination, problem-solving, and physical growth in ways television rarely can. That’s why moderation and balance are crucial.

Another overlooked benefit is conversation. Talking with your child about what they’ve watched — whether it was a meaningful program or a silly one — can be just as valuable as the show itself. Ask them what they learned, what they thought about it, or even have them write down their thoughts. Suddenly, passive viewing becomes an active learning moment.

It’s easy to dismiss television altogether because of the endless fluff on the airwaves. But if you take the time to find the good, you may be surprised at the lessons your child absorbs. Some of today’s programs are so strong in content and production quality that they’re beginning to make their way into classrooms.

Television, then, isn’t inherently good or bad — it’s what we make of it.

Preview first

Watch or record programs before your child does, so you know they’re age-appropriate and worthwhile.

Choose quality

Look for trusted shows like Sesame Street, Bluey, Wild Kratts, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, or Octonauts.

Limit time

Balance screen time with reading, outdoor play, and creative activities.

Skip ads

Record or stream ad-free content when possible to avoid constant consumer messaging.

Watch together

Sit down with your child to enjoy a show; you’ll see what they’re learning and share the experience.

Talk about it

Ask questions after the show. “What did you learn? What was your favorite part?” Turn passive watching into active thinking.

Television should be part of a diverse menu of activities, not the main course.