As Americans we should be very concerned about the effect television is having on our children. Today's children watch too much television. As a result, a number of horrible conditions arise, which could have easily been prevented, if we, as parents and guardians, would simply get off our lazy asses and turn off the subway. The National Coalition for Children and Families states, “By the time teens graduate from high school, they will have spent 15,000 hours watching television, compared to 12,000 hours spent in the classroom.” The influence that television is having on American children is having alarming results. Every day we see more and more children with developmental delays, distorted realities and just plain laziness. Babies as young as one year old are influenced by television, and the effects have already begun to show before we even realize the baby is watching it. Television has become a real nuisance. It has taken over our children's lives and is sucking away their energy, creativity and personality. There are many educators, healthcare professionals and parents who believe that television is an essential learning tool and has helped many children advance beyond their years. Many programs such as Blue's Clues, Sesame Street, and Barney are designed to teach children between the ages of 2 and 5. But the truth is that children at this early age watch television without receiving any personal interaction. One-on-one interaction is a key developmental tool that children desperately need to progress in their learning. But a line needs to be drawn when we allow television to be the only... paper medium... all of this will help them create a healthier lifestyle, but it will also help them strengthen their immune system against disease. Grab a book, sit down and read to your child or ask them. This will help develop their vocabulary and personal interaction skills, not to mention it will be fun too. Another great idea is to take out a game and sit down to play with your kids. This will not only teach them many valuable skills, but will also give them great memories for years to come. It's basically about being parents again. Learning together and teaching each other new things will help develop a great relationship between the two of you. Give the babysitter (television) the night off and spend time with your kids. If you can do this, your children will be smarter and safer, not to mention happier and healthier members of society..