Television WatchTalk about what you watch
More than
screen time.
Look at the stories, the messages, and the choices around viewing—not just the minutes on the clock.
A useful opening question
“What do you think this wants us to feel or do?” It works for a story, a trailer, a recommendation, or an advertisement.
Make space to watch and talk
Choose something you can discuss together. You might compare how two characters see the same event, ask why the music changes a scene, or notice what information a trailer leaves out. Listening to an answer can be more useful than turning the moment into a lesson.
Let children know they can ask about something confusing or stop watching something uncomfortable. Agree on that before the moment arrives.
Four questions worth keeping
Who made this?
Look for the creator, publisher, channel, or organisation behind the message.
Who is it for?
Think about the audience the language, characters, and presentation seem designed to reach.
What is it asking?
Is the aim to entertain, explain, sell something, or persuade you to take a side?
What is missing?
Ask whether another point of view, useful detail, or source would change the impression.
Notice when entertainment is selling
Pause at an advert, a sponsored segment, or a product placed in a video. Look for disclosures together. Ask what is being promoted and whether the person speaking benefits if you buy it.
You do not need to label every message as good or bad. The practical skill is noticing the difference between enjoying a programme and being asked to make a purchase.
Build a viewing routine together
Decide on a few practical agreements: where screens fit in your day, what you will watch, and what stopping looks like. Include the adults in the conversation. Review the agreement as circumstances change.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a family media planning resource with prompts about household routines, content choices, and time for other activities. Use it as a starting point for discussion rather than treating another family’s rules as a template you must follow.
Connect the conversation to the settings
A household agreement is easier to use when the device setup supports it. Compare your choices with the parental controls checklist and make sure everyone understands what the TV ratings do and do not describe.
Go to the source
Further information
Third-party websites have their own terms and privacy practices.