How Much Is Too Much?

This is a MediaNote Classic. It was originally presented to MC101 students in Fall 2014.

We intuitively believe that too much time in front of a screen--whether it's a TV or a computer screen--is bad for people. And we tend to believe it is particularly damaging to children.

It turns out that some very successful people in the technology industry feel pretty much the same way. NPR reports.

Questions...

•What are all the reasons to limit a child's screen time?

•How is the Internet worse (or more hazardous) for children than television? How is TV worse for them than the Internet?

•Which is more dangerous for children: That advertisers have near unlimited access to children or that children become addicted to the screen?

•Does it make sense that reading is considered good for children and the Internet is considered bad? What's the difference?

•What rules would you have for your child's Internet use?