The number of movies checked out daily in the U.S. is 6 million. Only 3 million items are checked out from libraries daily. While a child spends 1,680 minutes watching television during a week, only 3.5 minutes are spent in meaningful conversation with their parents. 59% of Americans can name The Three Stooges, but only 17% can name three justices on the Supreme Court. This is all according to the A.C. Nielson Co. These poignant statistics coerced me to agree with the concerns expressed in the article "Television and Health." But besides the physical health concerns raised, I would like to point out the mental health concerns.

Television should be primarily used as an educational tool. Yet, as statistics show, Americans constantly inundate themselves with movies and entertainment. And The Three Stooges isn't what I would call quality programming. Television watchers are referred to as couch potatoes. Our country is turning into a nation of phlegmatic television addicts. Children especially should not be allowed to spend more time watching television than talking to parents. Parents should be teaching their children instead of expecting television to do it. A 3.5 minute conversation is pointless and fruitless if it only happens once a week. We should zealously try to reduce our dependence on television in an effort to make a better America.