The amount of violence and inappropriate information that children receive through television and other media is a matter of concern. This paper reviews the values of fantasy play and compares those values with the effects of television viewing on New Zealand children. Both obvious and subtle messages that children receive from television are discussed, with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles used to illustrate the effect that television can have on young viewers. Issues such as male and female roles, cultural diversity, and aggression are considered, as is the effect of child-oriented marketing of products. It is suggested that television can be used positively at home, in the classroom, and in society. Twenty-two "Hints for Living Happily with Television" are appended. Also appended are descriptions of two activities that parents can use to help their children develop critical and discriminating television viewing habits. Contains 13 references. (LB)