The media has been around for ages, but what we experienced growing up is worlds away from what our children are growing up with today. Media is a double ended weapon that not only can be of priceless value for children if used in moderation but also it could have a tremendous negative impact on their lives.

Highlighting the positive and negative percussions of media on children's behavior.

The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development. As kids get older, too much media time can interfere with their activities such as being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family. So, while using media in moderation could be very beneficial for education, entertainment, and communication with others of different cultures, it could be very dangerous in encouraging risky behavior as substance abuse, violence, and unhealthy eating habits.

Because it is always a matter of quality time and not the quantity of time spent by our children using different types of media, it is so important for caregivers to monitor media content and set viewing and interacting limits for their children and share them in their healthy interests to ensure that our children will not be left on their own in an unknown and potentially risky media world.

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.