A brief overview is presented of the effect of television viewing on the cognitive and affective learning processes of young learners and on the growth of the social interaction skills of this same viewing audience. The main conclusions of the report are that (1) the effects of television viewing are complex and are both positive and negative; (2) these effects vary from age group to age group, and among the different forms of learning; and (3) the medium offers a unique, attractive opportunity for the education of young children provided that educators, parents, and producers act in a responsible manner, not only in the viewing process and content themselves, but in the development and education of the child in nonviewing time. (MB)