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iQuestions Faculty, Kevin Leman 
 
 
Question: 
 
How much TV is okay for my child to watch? 
 
Answer:  
 
You know, from the time kids are little they are propped in front of TV 
sets and are allowed to watch TV—way too much TV, I would add, or 
they see videos on that TV screen. We condition them as young kids to 
come into a room as adults or members of the adolescent crowd and 
do what? Turn on a TV and sit and do a little remote thing. You know, 
basically TV’s not good for any of us, let alone children, but for those 
who want their kids to watch TV and will allow it, there’s got to be 
limits on it.  
 
You know, there was some research done that said that in even 
cartoons, the average cartoon had 109 different acts of violence in it. 
Check that out. So, you really need to be judicious. It’s like a lot of 
things today, as we face this new Goliath in our lives as parents—the 
Internet, the media, the whole nine yards, TV. It can be destructive, 
and so, you have to limit. Today, you can get resources that give 
parents all kinds of ideas about what specific content is in different TV 
programs. 
 
Think with me for a second. When is the last time you sat and watched 
a TV program that pictured men, for example, as anything other than 
a buffoon? You don’t see it. When’s the last time you saw a TV 
program that shows a loving mom and dad, a respectful mom and 
dad? You don’t see those things. So, the TV monster can really devour 
your children. I think this is an area where you had to be judicious in, 
and the Internet as well. They’re great in many ways. I wish I was 
 
 
brave enough as a parent to tell you, you know what? With five kids in 
the Leman family, I took the brave step and I threw that TV out the 
back. I can’t tell you that. You know why? I love football. Now, my 
wife could do without the football. But I’m telling you, it can be used 
for good purposes or bad purposes. It’s like a lot of things in life, but 
you’re the parent. So, don’t use the TV as a babysitter with young 
children—number one.  
 
Number two—if your kids are watching stuff, hey, find out. Get in 
there. Pick up TV Guide. Find out what they’re doing. Sometimes you’ll 
find your kids watching inappropriate stuff. Sit with them and watch 
the inappropriate stuff. Don’t turn the TV off. Then turn it off after the 
half-hour sitcom is over, and have a discussion. Talk with your kids 
about what we saw. Not that you’re going to evaluate and turn 
yourself into Judge Judy here, puttin’ your child down, but just talk 
with them about what they saw. And you might ask a probing 
question, like “Honey, is that how you feel? Do you feel that way about 
life? Do you feel that way about women? Do feel that way about men?” 
And that dialog, whatever you’re talking about, is healthy. Why? 
Because it’s setting precedent that we can talk about life.  
 
And be aware that your son or daughter will just play a little shocky 
with you, and give you an answer that they know you’re not going to 
want to hear, just to see how you’re going to react or respond. Keep in 
mind that when your doctor says, “You’ve responded well to the 
medicine we’ve given you.” That’s good. When he says, “You know, 
you’ve reacted to the medicine.” That’s bad. So, you have to be careful 
that you don’t always react, but you want to respond.  
 
 
Leman -2- 
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