I guess I am not alone in worrying about how much TV and computer my kids are exposed to. They seem to be obsessed but I find it really difficult to stop them. But I have read some research firm BMRB that estimates young people in the UK aged between 11 and 15 spend, on average, 52 hours a week in front of a screen.

Dr Aric Sigman, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, believes watching TV puts children at increased risk of health problems, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity.

In April 2007, he told MPs children under three shouldn't be exposed to TV at all. HELP!!
He recommended children aged between three and seven should watch no more than 30 minutes to an hour of TV a day, seven to 12-year-olds should be limited to one hour, and 12 to 15-year-olds should watch a maximum of one and a half hours. DOUBLE HELP!

Dr Sigman wants the Government to publish recommended daily guidelines for TV watching, as it does for salt intake.

I really don't know how to get my kids off it without all hell breaking loose! Any ideas?
.

The best way is to start by keeping a diary of your children's viewing habits, and then once you're aware of how much time your children spend in front of a screen, you can set some rules.

Cutting down screen time can be tough and will need a lot of effort and determination, but small steps can make a difference so everyone in the family is will benefit.

Here are some steps to modify your family's screen habits:

•Keep TVs and computers out of children's bedrooms. Watching TV before going to sleep doesn't help children settle. Instead, read a bedtime story or encourage them to read for themselves. Having the TV and computer in a family room also means you can monitor what they're watching and who they're talking to online.

•Good viewing habits start young. It's difficult to impose rules on teenagers who already watch excessive TV or play computer games for hours on end.

•Help children plan their viewing with a TV guide. This will cut down screen time and help them to become more selective about what they watch.

•Don't put on the TV as background noise.

•Set viewing limits. Decide with your children how much time they can spend watching TV or playing computer games. Think in 30-minute units - shorter periods make it easier to switch off and cut down on screen consumption.

•Lead by example. Don't have a TV in your own bedroom and don't spend hours watching TV or online.

•Do something different, such as playing board games or going out on a bike ride. A lot of children wishtheir parents would take them to the park and play with them more. Now is the opportunity!

•Make sure DVDs are age appropriate. The British Board of Film Classification has handy explanations of what different film classifications mean.