Some of us are old enough to remember when the following things were true about the world we lived in during our childhood:

a.There were only 5 to 6 channels on television (no cable/satellite).

b. If you had free time, you went outside to play. No one wanted to stay inside (no chat rooms, Neopets, Webkins).

c. When you called someone and there was no answer, you called them back later (no voice mail/cell phones).

d. The only people that had knowledge of your whereabouts were your parents and the people that were with you no Foursquare, Banjo).

e. If you needed to know/learn something, you looked it up in a dictionary or the World Book Encyclopedia set that your parents purchased from the door to door salesperson (no Wikipedia, Google, Bing).


The world is much different now. We are in the Digital Age. Computers have been taken to a level I'm sure many of us never would have imagined and is an integral part of our daily lives (regardless of one's age group. As a result, many young people (and adults alike) have ventured into the realm of "Digital Media Overload". The instant gratification one experiences from a Facebook post, Tweet, e-mail, text message, Instagram photo and so on has reached epidemic proportions. Everyone is literally obsessed with being connected. I will have to spend some time thinking about what adults can do to avoid this addiction. However, here are five ways parents/guardians can help their children avoid being sucked into the black hole that is Digital Media Overload:


1. Start good habits early.

• Establish boundaries. This will reduce any chance for misunderstandings
  
• Start when your kids are young by restricting access to media:Turn the phone off during homework...instant messaging as well 
  
• Keep an eye on the clock: the secret to healthy media use is to establish time limits and be diligent about it.
  

2. Use media together. 

• For older kids, talk about what you see, hear, and read. 
  
• Pay attention: watch, play, listen, and surf with your kids. 
  
• Talk about the content, and stay engaged with what your kids are doing online and on the go (a considerable amount of “online time” is with a smartphone)
  
• Share your values, and help kids connect what they learn in the media to events and other activities in which they're involved, in order to broaden their understanding of the world at large.
  

3. Keep distractions to a minimum. 

• Try to help kids do one thing at a time. Mutli-tasking doesn't directly relate to being more productive.
  
• For older kids, make sure that social networking and chatting happen after homework is over or during timed intervals.
  

4. Be a role model. 

• When kids are around, set an example by using media the way you want them to use it. 
  
• Keep mobile devices away from the dinner table.
  
• Turn the TV off when it's not actively being watched. 
  
• Use a DVR to record shows that may be inappropriate for your kids (news programs) and watch them at a later time when kids aren't around.
  

5. Seek balance. 

• If your child is going to thrive with digital media, balance is key. 
  
• Help kids develop responsible media habits and good digital citizenship, so they can pursue their interests in a responsible and intelligent manner
  
• They'll be exposed to the good, bad, and ugly, but with a solid foundation they will have the tools to make good decisions regarding media of all kinds.
  

Children can benefit from activities that promote physical health and still enjoy the ever present technological desires. Here are some tips on how to achieve that perfect balance:

Plan off-line time
The lure of “screen time” is very strong and there are various options other than the television
Help your child plan her or his day to fit in all of the "musts" (school work, household chores) with the "wants" such as video games and various social media websites

Play active games
They are not a substitute for personal experience but active games are a great solution to the sedentary lifestyle the majority of today’s youth lead
Indoor small group/group activities are a good choice for when you simply can't get outdoors due to inclement weather

Consider the example you're setting
Whether you like it or not, you are your child’s role model
Turn off your phone during dinner time or while speaking with your child 
Your actions will send a message that screen limits don't only apply to you

Use media/technology as a spring board
If it's a game that encourages entrepreneurship or a how-to video on YouTube or www.ehow.com, think of ways to enhance your kids' favorite electronic pursuits into the real world.

It's OK to be bored
Experts recommend that kids let their minds wander
If they are bored, it is the perfect time to figure out how to entertain themselves (not have someone or something entertain them
As the saying goes, "Necessity is the mother of invention." In other words, difficult situations inspire ingenious solutions.
Impose some downtime on your kid (and yourself!)

Recently the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)removed "flavored" milk form the menu at its schools. They are attempting to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity by eliminating extra sugar intake as well as offering healthier breakfast and lunch choices for students (corn dogs, chicken nuggets and other breaded items will soon be gone as well). Several experts claim that the flavored milk adds unnecessary sugar to kids' diets. I found it strange that they did not "86" various juices from the menu as well. There is a lot of sugar in those drinks (be it artificial or natural). Oh yeah, how about the vending machines on campuses that contain sodas, juices and snacks that would be considered unhealthy?

I don't think the obesity problem has so much to do with flavored milk, soda, or corn dogs. The problem exists because of a current generation of youth that lead sedentary lifestyles. Watching television, playing video games, long hours spent on the computer or any other handheld device that has a screen. All of the aforementioned "activities" are done while sitting on your ass and not moving (the extent of movement involves the index finger or the thumbs). "Screen Time" has become the desired activity for many of today's youth thus robbing them of any type of locomotor activity. It is painfully obvious because of the number of kids I've seen that are uncoordinated (unable to skate on FOUR WHEELS let alone two,unable to ride a bike, or even balance on one leg for more than 3 seconds)and have NO endurance (even at the lowest level).

Parents need to "man up" and establish some rules to have your kids become more active. Screen time doesn't have to be eliminated but can be significantly reduced. The same can be done for food choices.Have some open dialogue. It only takes a little time and effort. Please stop blaming McDonald's, Burger King and any other fast food establishment for what they serve. Here's an idea...if you don't want your child/children to eat the fast food, DON'T BUY IT FOR THEM. I know they could eat it when you are not around, but how often is that? Lay down the law, and enforce it.