While it seems that more and more children across America are glued to their Facebook page or a video-game controller almost every waking minute, the mountains may be winning over electronic media in Summit County. But even so, when the kids are settling in for a movie night or an hour of Mario Kart or Minecraft, does it affect them?

“The concerns around media have to do with the direct effect of what kids are actually exposed to,” said Tina Pittman Wagers, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Colorado. “The other concern is if kids are involved with media — if they're watching TV or on Facebook — what are they not doing instead?”

According to Colleen True at the Summit Prevention Alliance, kids in Summit are watching less TV than in years past. In the most recent Healthy Kids Colorado Survey — conducted in October 2010 by the Summit School District and the Summit Prevention Alliance — 53 percent of Summit Middle School students and 62 percent of Summit High School students reported watching an hour or less of television per day. In the previous survey, conducted in 2007, 21 percent of high school students and 24 percent of middle school children reported watching an hour or less of TV a day.

Across the United States, children watch an average of three to four hours of television a day, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, a nonprofit professional medical association.

Pittman Wagers said the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents allow no more than one hour a day, and for children under the age of 2, none at all.

So, what does exposure do?

Pittman Wagers said studies suggest that when children watch violent television or movies, “there does seem to be a correlation with an increase in violent or aggressive behavior.” The same goes for exposure to sexualized content: It seems to be associated to an early onset of sexual behavior in teens. And, Pittman Wagers points out, there is a connection between increased TV-viewing and obesity in children, as well as a thought that excessive exposure during a child's early years increases the risk for developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Another worry: Teenagers who spend too much time on Facebook, texting or talking on the phone are depriving themselves of actual human interactions, which could hinder social skills.

“Part of the concern with media has to do with missed opportunities,” Pittman Wagers said.

“I have stipulations based on what type of media,” said Summit County parent Cammie Feed, responding to an online inquiry about how much is appropriate. She has four children under the age of 13. “If it is mindless programs for entertainment, we limit it on average to one hour per day. If it is research or educational fun media, we may allow two hours a day.”

Respondent Tammy Perez thinks parents should budget their children's time: 35 percent to learning one-on-one, 35 percent to socializing, 20 percent to “administrative” (getting dressed, traveling, etc.) and 10 percent for media consumption.

Pittman Wagers doesn't think media exposure is all bad, but it is important for parents to budget a small amount of television time per day — after other things like homework, exercise and family time — and to know what kids are watching. Good content can lead to conversations in real-life, Pittman Wagers said, which equals valuable family time.

“If a show is good enough for their children to watch, then it is good enough for parents too,” she said.