Excessive TV viewing has other drawbacks also. It is linked to obesity and poor school performance. And because it can reduce interaction among family members, especially at dinner time, it can interfere with family life. But perhaps worst of all, it creates a picture of the world that is distorted and inaccurate. (And these are the words of the Kufar, the disbelievers!)
As Muslims, we should keep our children far away from the TV. For small
children, shows like Barney and Sesame Street are 90% music, and talk about
birthdays and magic and other things that are Haram. It is not justifiable
to say, "But it teaches them how to count!" How do you explain so
that your children understand, what is seen as fun and the "norm"
on TV is forbidden in our lives. Cartoons show violence, hitting and
kicking. Programs that older children watch show dating and the need
for dressing and looking your best to be accepted. We're confusing
our children's value system by establishing norms of behavior
and beliefs that are not accepted in Islam. The temptation
to use TV as a way to occupy our children's time while we cook or
clean is there for all of us, but it's not worth what our children will
learn from it.