THERE’S not a parent alive who hasn’t won- dered what the long- term effects of viewing television will de on their children. Pye written enough columns criticizing uncon- trolled television viewing to fill a scrap book and so have lots of cthers. Every harmful deed com- mitted by youth ih the fast 29 years seems to have been attributed to the evils of tele- vision. Still, our children watch a let of television. Added to the mix of “gee-I-wonder-what-will- happen” scenarios to get all us parents anxious are the addictive qualities of the computer. In one way, the comput- ex has given parents some relief. Rather than passively watching a television for up te seven hours a day, (this figure given in a study released two weeks ago by the Kaiser Family . Foundation in the US.), - some kids are working or playing on computers for a few of these hours. On the surface, the inter- activity of a computer game, the research and knowledge _ potential of the Internet and the ability to connect with people all over the world is - an extremely appealing alter- native to vegeing out in front of mindless sitcoms. ‘++ There are some complica- ‘tions that make this option a listle less rosy than superficial thinking may lead us to believe. After all, many comput- ers games are about killing animated people, many sites on the Internet are porno- graphic or full of hate and . connecting with fess-than- scrupulous individuals on- line ts not necessarily the _kind of cultural enlighten- ment we may be looking at _ for our children. . The medium has a lot of potential, but a lot of mine- fields. So what’s a parent to do? My best advice is every- thing in moderation. _.. ‘Take the seven hours that children scem to have every day for leisure time and je it into an hour of tele- vision, an hour of computer, an hour of helping the family around the house, an hour of outdoor exercise, an hour of music (practice or listen), an hour of drawing or painting and an heur of reading. I think you'll find you have a more balanced child. OK, maybe that’s a tad SagEestons ristas Git ‘Gold Bracelets 1637 Lonsdale Ave., N. Van. 984-6700 1738 Marin= Drive. W. Van. 926-7710 idealistic, but you understand what | mean. The biggest problem is not what activity children pursue, but a singular preac- cupation with just one act ty, be it television. computers or Pokemon. My second piece of advice is to make the children’s bedrooms a barren waste- land. cep the televisions and computers out of their rooms and within public i not only assist you in limiting their time at each activity but will also ensure that a Jot of the things they do will stay with- in the realm of what you are willing to accept. It’s pretty hard to surf through dirty pictures when your parents are sitting on the conch right behind you — Thope. The additional bonus of making their bedrooms a less-than-enticing place is that they will have to spend more time with parents to get the daily dose of clec- tronic stimulation they need. Tt may not seem like much, but just being closer in proximity, watching the same television programs, or commenting on what is on the computer screen can lead to greater interaction and a sense of spending time together, Children, and especially teens, who have a complete'y self-sufficient retreat, have ao need for interaction with gar- ents and who knows what iz going on behind their “Keep Out” signs. Then there’s the phone, but I better not get going on that. ; I recently encountered a family that was so fed up with their kids being on the hone all night that they ught them each a cell hone so the family phone ine wouldn’t be tied up. It’s that kind of logic that makes me very nervous about the long-term effects of parenting on children. Televisions and comput- ers likely have much less impact on children, even _ when overused, than feolish ‘Mr. Snapp oe “Santa shops at Tevean Toys” ~ip # ; parenting practi 1 say worry less about PARENTING Healthy children keep act what might happen, and act more on what is happening. — Graham Hookey is the author of Parenting Is A Toasting the season 810 West 2st Street, North Vancouver, viewing by appointment * phone 903-3797 wwwaartists4kids.com awe V32CCHZO0CB FES HUGH ~ STARK & MA “Authors of “DOMESTIC CONTRACTS” Abook on marriage and separation agreements Wednesday, December 8, 1999 —- North Shore News - 21 vities varied Team Sport. sthookev@yaloo.com SSTOPHER Chan, a Grade 7 student at Irvin Park elementary, topped up Margaret Rutherford’s refresh- cit at the 10th annual seniors’ luncheon Dec.4 at West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Cenire. The holiday event is sponsored by West Van Rotary Club (Sunrise) and Senior Citizens’ Special Services Society. KIRSTI CLISE: FAMILY LAW MEDIATION 682-4999 #602-1166 Albemi St, Vancouver __ In a perfect world, no. | one would be hungry.... |: Your strong support now will =| allow us not 0 nly Christmas but als to respond at 0 into the bleak winter. months that fellow. Please send your donations to: THE GREATER, VA. FOOD BANK 311 East 6th Avenue Vancouver, BC VST 1]9 Ph: 876-3601 It may not be a perfect world but’ with your help it can certainly become a lot brighter for those we serve. - Thank you daseaonece