Excessive television viewing can have deleterious effects on one’s psychological and physical health, but it need not, and there is a growing body of research that suggests that television can be instructive, can provide needed escape, and can help children reach certain developmental milestones. Taken together though, several decades of research has not moved experts much closer to better understanding the dynamics of television addiction. Still, few people question that excessive television viewing can be problematic, particularly if persons find themselves unable to control or simply reduce their viewing habits.