Social scientists, teachers, and parents are troubled by the kinds of TV programs children choose to watch. These groups of people are concerned about the media's effects on young children. They are worried about the effects of televised violence on society as well as commercials for food. Most importantly, however, they feel TV is one factor that causes declining math and reading scores among schoolchildren. Because of the excessive time spent watching TV, children are spending less time reading and thinking independently.

    Indeed, youngsters are watching a lot of TV-an average of nearly four hours a day and about 25 hours a week. Upon entering kindergarten at age 5, a child already has spent more hours watching TV than he or she would spend earning a college degree. By the child's 18th birthday, more time has been spent watching TV than on any other single activity except sleep.

    Clever advertising aimed at children certainly influences them. Very young children don't even distinguish between commercials and programs. Is it fair to show advertising to young children? Many people think that it is not. The US government has yet to control children's advertising, but Canada imposed a limited ban on commercials aimed at children.