The issue of kids' exposure to TV doesn't throw off as many sparks as it used to. There is general agreement that a child's exposure to television of any type should be limited. There is also general agreement that we are completely ignoring this advice. I remember as a kid waiting every Sunday night for Walt Disney's "Wonderful World of Color" to come on, and loving it. I also remember my parents turning off the television when it was over. We don't do that anymore.
Americans two years of age and older now spend an average of four hours and 49 minutes per day in front of the TV -- 20 percent more than 10 years ago. And we are getting this exposure at younger and younger ages, made all the more complex because of the wide variety of digital screen time now available. In 2003, 77 percent of kids under six watched television every day. And children younger than two got two hours and five minutes of "screen time" with TVs and computers per day.
What effect might this have on our children's brains? It's not good news.
For decades we have known of the connection between hostile peer interactions and the amount of kids' exposure to television. The linkage used to be controversial (maybe aggressive people watch more TV than others), but we now see that it's an issue of our deferred-imitation abilities, coupled with a loss of impulse control. One personal example: When I was in kindergarten, my best friend and I were watching "The Three Stooges," a 1950s TV show. The program involved lots of physical comedy, including people sticking their fingers in other people's eyes. When the show was over, my friend fashioned his little fingers into a V, then quickly poked me in both eyes. I couldn't see anything for the next hour and was soon whisked to the emergency room. Diagnosis: scratched corneas and a torn eye muscle.
Other examples come from studies that looked at bullying, attentions spans and the ability to focus, and secondhand exposure to TV. Watch this video to find out the results:
Disturbing stuff. Since the first studies on television, researchers have discovered that not everything about TV is negative. The effect depends upon the content of the TV show, the age of the child, and perhaps even the child's genetics. Before age two, TV is best avoided completely. That includes videos that claim to be baby brain-boosters. (More on that, and video games, in my new book, "Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart, Happy Child from Zero to Five.")
After age five, the jury is out on this harsh verdict -- way out, in fact. Some television shows improve brain performance at this age. Not surprisingly, these shows tend to be the interactive types ("Dora the Explorer," good; "Barney and Friends," bad, according to certain studies). So, although the case is overwhelming that television exposure should be limited, TV cannot be painted with a monolithic brush.
Here are a few recommendations for TV viewing the data suggest:
More parenting videos on brainrules.net detail key insights from the book, from how to deal with temper tantrums to the surprising way a "cookie test" can predict SAT scores.
Follow John Medina, Ph.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/babybrainrules
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Right now My little guy watches One episode of Sesame street a day, he doesn't even sit through the whole thing, he likes to go play.
For me the devil are commercials.
Pure hogwash. Another supposed "common knowlege" fact that is completely wrong.
There are many flawed studies.
A half hour of something educational would be considered appropriate.
But I also oppose unlimited time on a computer, totally disagree with young kids having cell phones...I'd relent perhaps at the age they begin to date or drive.
We've turned our children into rabid consumers and tech junkies. It gives me no hope for the future.
Hubby and I also totally agree with you about cell phones and computer time for young kids.
The number of parents who are choosing to raise their kids without media is increasing. People are starting to wise up.
Chris Bowen
Author of, "Our Kids: Building Relationships in the Classroom"
Adults stopped being adults at some point. Not just parents, but educators too.
On a visit to the family home, I found my 2 year-old nephew glued to the TV from 8h00 till 12noon when it was turned off while he had lunch. If it was left on, he did not eat properly at the table.
He used to go crazy when I turned it off in the morning. When I turned it off I discovered that he knew how to turn it on manually! I tried unplugging it and do you know, that little scamp understood how the plug worked but couldn't fit it into the socket (which he knew it was forbidden to touch).
He used to beg his granny until I put my foot down to both of them.
Happily, the distraction of colouring books, teaching him to ride his tricycle, playing football, counting cars, trucks and buses passing by worked. But I was really shocked by his addiction before he was enrolled in pre-school.
He soon forgot about the idiot box unless an adult was watching.
Whew!
Parents really need to wake up!
i am more worried about the computer. rather than TV.
Absolutely NO reason a kid needs to know there are a such thing as cartoons, before they enter school. Well unless your five year old is doing a their dissertation on, The Mind Numbing Effects of Corporate Propaganda of Cartoons via Commercials.
Afaik, parents allow their kid in front of crappy TV becasue they don't know any better.