Most children spend more time with media than in school and much more time with media than in meaningful conversation with their parents. Recent research demonstrates how the media act as powerful influences on children's development--on their behaviors, attitudes, language, and values--from the earliest ages. This booklet is intended to help parents use television to promote family interaction and communicate important lessons. It contains several tips on talking with kids about television: (1) start early in talking with kids about the TV, movies, and other media they use; (2) put your family on a family TV diet; (3) talk with your children about setting TV rules for the family; (4) in the family TV diet, create balanced TV meals with your children; (5) find "family exercises" to accompany your family TV diet; (6) help your child "see through TV"; (7) make it a point to watch programs with your children whenever possible; (8) look for special programs that help young people deal with "hot button" topics such as drugs, alcohol, sex, and peer pressure; and (9) be aware of fast-breaking news stories with violent or sexual content. The booklet includes lists of organizations for information and referral, and lists of readings for parents and for children. (EV)