Forty-eight per cent of Canadian kids, aged 8 -15, have their own TV and 35 percent have their own VCR. (Source: Kids' Take on Media, Canadian Teachers’ Federation, 2003)

Most of us have happy memories of watching television with our families when we were young. But what was once a simple shared pastime has become an increasingly complex—and sometimes problematic part of modern family life.

Instead of two or three stations we now have hundreds, with shows for every taste and interest.

This increased selection means that there are fewer opportunities for the whole family to sit down and enjoy a show together. Watching television has become a more solitary activity and less shared time means that parents are less able to monitor what their kids are watching.

The sections below offer practical tips on managing TV in the home, teaching kids to think critically about what they see on TV, and minimizing the negative influences of television.