You know how a lot of kids will actually play with an empty box instead of the toy that came inside the box? I'm thinking something like that is going to happen tomorrow when Nickelodeon goes dark for three hours: a bunch of kids just staring at the black screen waiting for it to come back on, maybe hitting the top of their TVs, changing the batteries in the remote.
Starting at noon tomorrow, Nickelodeon will show nothing for three hours as part of a program to get kids to go outside and exercise.
Of course, I'm not sure why they don't make the whole day black to make their point, but I guess they'd miss the advertising money. But hey, I'm all for a balanced lifestyle (and I think TV can be a part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle). I wonder if it will be a black screen or a cartoon figure saying "Turn off your TV and go outside!"?
At 6pm, you can turn your TV back on and see what other kids during that day on the special Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge. I wonder how many kids/parents will just change the channel to The Cartoon Network or pop in a DVD?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-28-2007 @ 6:00PM
Ben said...
or just turn on disney...
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9-28-2007 @ 3:51PM
Dave said...
" and see what other kids during that day on the special "
I think you're missing a word in there somewhere...
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9-28-2007 @ 5:00PM
jaerisk said...
yea i was warned about this last week, I've been recording Nick shows so when it goes off the air my kids will have something to do...god I'm such a prepared parent.
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10-15-2007 @ 11:32AM
bj said...
jaerisk,
Why not find something else for them to do, or (GASP) make them go outside and play? How about a trip to the museum, or a park. They'll be ok for three hours without Nick.
I love my tv too, but there should be a limit. Balance in all things.
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9-28-2007 @ 6:29PM
Jen said...
15 years ago (or less) this could have worked, when Nick was the only kids station around. Then Cartoon Network appeared and slowly grew.
Now there is ABC Family, Nick, Disney, Cartoon Network, Toon Disney, Noggin...the list goes on and on. I know that Nick has Noggin as well (not sure if it's going dark), but there are still a LOT of networks remaining for children. Also, DVR, DVDs...this won't change anyone's habits. If a kid wants to watch TV (and a parent lets him), he's gonna do it.
(I try to let my son watch minimal TV during the day. Maybe a small bit in the morning and, depending on what's going on, a teensy bit in the evenings...but rarely more than an hour a day. He hasn't watched more than 15-30 minutes of TV all week. Lord, I'm such a hypocrite - I personally watch TONS of TV. :p)
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