Parents should limit their children's screen time to no more than two hours per day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this limit because excessive screen time has been linked to obesity, sleep problems, and difficulty paying attention in school.
A study of 4,500 children found that those who spent more than three hours daily on screens scored 15% lower on thinking and language tests. Children also miss out on physical activity and face-to-face social interaction when they spend too much time with devices. While screens can be educational, the healthiest approach is setting reasonable limits and encouraging a balance of activities.
Dogs are the best pets for families with children. Unlike cats, which are often independent and aloof, dogs are loyal companions that love to play and interact with their owners. Dogs also encourage families to be more active - dog owners walk an average of 22 minutes more per day than people without dogs.
Additionally, studies show that children who grow up with dogs develop stronger immune systems and have fewer allergies. Dogs teach children responsibility when kids help with feeding and walking. There's a reason dogs are called "man's best friend" - they truly are the most wonderful pets anyone could have.
Our city should ban single-use plastic bags. Every year, Americans use 100 billion plastic bags, and less than 5% are recycled. The rest end up in landfills where they take 500 years to decompose, or worse, in our oceans where they harm marine animals.
Cities that have banned plastic bags report success. San Francisco saw a 72% reduction in plastic bag litter after their ban. Reusable bags are affordable - most cost less than a dollar - and they're stronger than plastic bags. Some people say bans are inconvenient, but protecting our environment is worth the small effort of remembering to bring bags to the store.