FACTS

• 99% of all homes have at least one TV―45% have three or more.
• 56% of all 8- to 16-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom.
• A person watches TV an average of 40 days per year.
• Children spend 1,023 hours a year watching TV compared to 900 hours in school.
• 200,000 violent acts, including 16,000 murders, will be seen on TV by children before their 18th birthday.
• Roughly 70% of all TV shows include sexual content, with an average of five sexual scenes per hour.
• On average, 38.5 minutes per week of meaningful conversation happens between a parent and his or her child.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

• Turn off your TV today. Tape the “No TV” sign to all TV screens so that you don’t turn it on out of habit.
• Designate certain TV-free times throughout the week to reduce viewing hours.
• Remove TVs from bedrooms, the kitchen, etc.
• Make a list of activities to do besides watching TV―activities like reading, biking, swimming, walking, gardening, or socializing with friends. Then start doing them.
• Avoid using TV as a reward―this only increases its power.
• Be more selective about programming―choose history, travel, cooking, home repair/design, and other educational themes.

YOU MATTER

70% of people say that no matter how hard they try, they never seem to have enough time to do everything they need to do. Are you part of that 70%? If you gave up TV for just one day a week, you could exercise the recommended weekly amount necessary for healthy living, read over 20 books a year, or spend more time with your loved ones. Instead of watching reruns of Friends, go make some.