Television; Do you let your kids watch television?

I was listening to the radio on my way to work and they were talking about people who shelter their kids from the media.(Television) Below are some articles from kidshealth.com.

Personally I don't mind Ethan watching some TV. It keeps him content so, we can sometimes get the necessities done. My favorites are Go-Diego-Go and The Backyardigans. A new backyardigans episode came on three nights ago. It was all about them being Knights. It was so funny and cute. Nikki and I tivo'd it and watched it after Ethan went to bed. It was like an hour or so in length and it had me chuckling the whole time. "We're knights thats right!!" :D Its so cool because they talk using the old english names. For example: Lord, Lady, King, Land, Castle, Dragon... So, your children will have vivid imaginations and good background of history before they can even write.

I really like Diego for the animals. You get to learn each animals scientific/common name and what it eats and does and you learn songs about them. I still learn stuff and I'm 17. I love it.
After reading these articles I really feel bad about letting him watch TV =/ But, I guess theres always a fall back to being a "Good" sheltering parent. When your -baby- turns 18 and moves out and gets married they will be in shock about these things for so long.

This subject reminds me of the American Idol episode where Simon asks the girl something interesting about herself. She replied, "I have never seen an "R" rated movie and neither has my husband of 3 years." I just about crapped myself when I heard that. :P

Heres the articles:

Of course, television, in moderation, can be a good thing: Preschoolers can get help learning the alphabet on public television, grade schoolers can learn about wildlife on nature shows, and parents can keep up with current events on the evening news. No doubt about it - TV can be an excellent educator and entertainer.

But despite its advantages, too much television can be detrimental:

• Research has shown that children who consistently spend more than 4 hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.
• Kids who view violent events, such as a kidnapping or murder, are also more likely to believe that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.
• Research also indicates that TV consistently reinforces gender-role and racial stereotypes.

TV Time

• Limit the number of TV-watching hours:
  • Stock the room in which you have your TV with plenty of other non-screen entertainment (books, kids' magazines, toys, puzzles, board games, etc.) to encourage kids to do something other than watch the tube.
  • Keep TVs out of kids' bedrooms.
  • Turn off the TV during meals.
  • Don't allow your child to watch TV while doing homework.
  • Treat TV as a privilege that kids need to earn — not a right that they're entitled to. Tell them that TV viewing is allowed only after chores and homework are completed.