Q. My son is 6 months and I have never put him in front of the television. But I don't know what to do as he gets older. Some of my friends say it's OK for kids to watch TV and others say it's not good for their brains. What should I do?

A. Good for you for being thoughtful about your child's development. TV is so easy to turn on, and can be so hypnotic for kids -- even very young ones -- that it can be tempting to use it as a baby sitter.

We are not anti-TV, but studies show that too much of it can actually slow a young child's development. Children learn best through face-to-face interaction, and TV doesn't provide it.

With older children, too much TV can encourage obesity because kids glued to the screen are inactive. And violent content can actually encourage aggressiveness.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children under age 2 not watch any television at all (including videos) and that older kids shouldn't watch more than one to two hours a day. We agree.

If you do allow viewing, make sure the programming is educational, for instance, "Sesame Street," "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," and other quality shows. Some parents of young children also like "Signing Times" and "Little Einstein" videos. But remember: too much of even quality TV/video viewing can slow a child's development.

In any case, make sure your child has plenty of socialization and physical activity. And, when he's older and you allow TV/video watching, allow only healthful snacks.

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