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How much TV is good for my child?
by Michael Torres, PsyD
The issue of whether television viewing is healthy or not for our children remains a constant concern. No doubt that spending inordinate amounts of time in front of the television versus time with peers, playing sports, reading, enjoying family, etc…promotes sedentary lifestyles, obesity, poor nutrition, poor social and intellectual development. While at the same time, depending on one’s choices, Television has the ability to educate, inform, and inspire those who utilize it with discretion. The question then becomes, “How Much TV Is Good For My Child”?
Research Findings
The most recent study examining early television exposure and subsequent attention problems in children (Pediatrics, April 2004) reported that early television exposure was associated with subsequent attention problems. In the 2001 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, the effects of reducing children’s television viewing and video game use on aggression were examined. Findings suggested that interventions designed to reduce television, videotape, and video game use decreases aggressive behavior in elementary schoolchildren. The findings support the causal influences of these media on aggression and the potential benefits of reducing children’s media use. Television’s influence on children’s request for toys was studied in the June 2001 Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Children who received intervention designed to reduce TV viewing were significantly less likely to report toy purchase requests. These findings suggest that reducing television viewing is a promising approach to reducing the influences of advertising on children's behavior.
Effects on the Health of the Family (Mary Burke, M.D., April 2004)
From Harvard Men who watch over 21 hours per week of TV double their risk of having Type II diabetes (1999).
American parents report spending 38.5 minutes weekly having a meaningful conversation with their children, but the average American home has the TV on 7 hours and 45 minutes daily.
Children in homes where TV is left on all or most of the time tend to be slower to learn to read. Children ages 2-7 are alone or unsupervised for 81% of their TV time.
80% of Hollywood producers believe there is a link between TV violence and real violence.
97% of American children under age 6 own products from TV or movies. Two year old can be trained to develop “brand loyalty.”
Findings from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Click this link to read the article, Children and Watching TV (March 2001)
Now That You’ve Heard From The Experts – What Can I Do?
Violence, sexuality, race and gender stereotypes, drug and alcohol abuse are common themes of television programs. Young children are impressionable and may assume that what they see on television is typical, safe, and acceptable. As result, television also expresses children to behaviors and attitudes that may be overwhelming and difficult to understand. Active parenting can ensure that children have a positive experience with television. Parents can protect children from excessive TV viewing in the following ways:
Select developmentally appropriate shows
Pay attention to the programs their children are watching and watch some with them
Set limits on the amount of time they spend with the television; consider removing the TV set from the child’s bedroom
Point out that although the actor has not actually been hurt or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death
Refuse to let the children see shows known to be violent, and change the channel or turn off the TV set when offensive material comes on, with an explanation of what is wrong with the program
Disapprove of the violent episodes in front of the children, stressing the belief that such behavior is not the best way to resolve a problem
To offset peer pressure among friends and classmates, contact other parents and agree to enforce similar rules about the length of time and type of program the children may watch.
Parents can also use these measures to prevent harmful effects from television in other areas such as racial or sexual stereotyping. The amount of time children watch TV, regardless of content, should be moderated because it decreases time spent on more beneficial activities such as reading, playing with friends, and developing hobbies.
For more information on the topic of television violence and youngsters, click to view the article Children and TV Violence, located at the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry webpage.
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