While most parents will admit that the TV is often a useful 'babysitter' for kids, the debate still rages as to whether it's good for them or not.
Numerous studies have linked TV watching to all manner of evils, from obesity and diabetes to behavioural problems and reduced academic success.

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But on the other hand, TV fans point to the benefits of educational programmes, how TV can teach kids about social and cultural issues, and how it is, quite simply, entertaining.
How much TV are your kids watching?
David Burke, director of the anti-television campaign group White Dot, argues that entertainment can be better found elsewhere.
"Very young children need as many experiences as they can, and TV isn't a real experience," he says. "We're training children to be less scared of boredom."
And although he agrees there are educational benefits he believes 30 minutes reading can teach more than the same amount of time watching TV.
"People can't imagine life without TV, but they're fine without it and they then have a real life," he says.
"After a few days of nagging and grumbling, the kids will find something else to do.
"Without TV, parents can re-introduce an atmosphere of creativity and relaxation and give their children the confidence to deal with boredom. They'll learn how to construct their free time, and spend hours more on the things they've been missing out on because of TV."
And parents should consider what their children would gain, says educational psychologist Kairen Cullen.
"One important question to consider is what could the child be doing if they weren't watching television?
"If the answer is an activity that would support their physical, moral, emotional, cognitive and/or language development much better, then it's obviously time to turn the TV off."
Cullen says doing so shouldn't be a problem as children seem to have a good sense of how they learn best.
"Adults can test this out any time they want - be available to do something active and fun with the child and offer TV as an alternative.
"Nine times out of 10 TV will be second choice, and when it isn't, this probably means it's time for snuggling up and watching something together."
She says television has a lot to offer, namely information on a wide range of topics, vicarious experiences, models of human behaviour including relationships, moral dilemmas and problem-solving and, of course, entertainment.
But she stresses: "This all comes with a health warning. Children need support and guidance from adults who know them and have their wellbeing in mind in terms of what, how much and when they watch TV.
"This means being aware of the child's level of understanding, engaging in discussion, offering perspective and balanced views.
"If television prompts this kind of adult/child interaction then learning, understanding and development can result and this, after all, is the priority for all children."

So how do you wean yourself off television?
l Use television listings to select programmes you want to see. Don't just 'see what's on'.
l Move the television out of the living room, so you only use it to see something you really want to see.
l Or, just get rid of the thing! Give it to a friend.
l The bigger challenge is what will you do if you don't watch TV? If there is nothing to challenge televised entertainment in your life, you need to find something.
More information: www.whitedot.org