Across the street, a seven year old girl flops herself down in front of the television, pushes a few buttons on the remote, and becomes engaged in an episode of Spongebob on Nickelodeon. At the commercial break she becomes fixated on advertisements for the new Fruit Rollups, Cheeto’s snack packs, and a Harry Potter based video game. Before the break is over, she has made a trip to the kitchen for a fistful of Oreos and a cup full of soda. With her older sister on the phone, she will remain in the same spot until her mother returns home from work and prepares dinner.

The average American child, ages two to eleven, watches television 1,197minutes per week. The same children spen

ds only 38 minutes per week engaging in meaningful conversation with their parents. This trend only continues to develop, causing critical problems amongst today’s youth. Not only are television and video games damaging, but computers as well--all allowing children to become lazy to a degree in which their mental and physical well being are at stake.

Due to their indulging in these activities, children are not reading as much, they are doing poorly in school, they have limited their physical activity, and are engaging in unhealthy eating habits. Why is it that this practice continues to occur when it is clear that it is damaging to the minds and bodies of the youth? Both society and parents are held accountable. It is the American way to complete tasks quickly and with the least amount of effort involved. Parents are victimized by society--working to provide for their families and spending less time with their children as a result. Having children watch TV, or play video or computer games, is an easy way to keep them occupied when parents do not have the time to provide supervision.

It is true that technological advances with computers have proved to be tremendously beneficial worldwide. Though along with the perks of having a personal computer, come also the programs which do not assist in the cultivation of children’s min

Some topics in this essay:
Harry Potter, , Spongebob Nickelodeon, Rollups Cheeto’s, junk food, video computer games, video computer, parental supervision, homework completed, computer games, child ages,