TV's Impact on Babies/Children?
Aside from the claims that TV "rots your brain" and "makes you a lazy, couch-potato" how could TV watching affect your child?
Most of the information and research about TV and health has been focused around children. Here are some quick facts about kids' TV habits according to the Kaiser Family Foundation:
• 2/3 of infants and toddlers watch a screen for an average of 2 hours a day
• children under 6 watch about 2 hours of media a day (mostly TV and videos/DVDs)
• kids and teens 8-18 spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and 2 hours on the computer (not school-work related) and playing video games
So it makes sense that doctors and scientists are studying how the effects of all this TV-viewing influence children's health.
One study by Children's Hospital Boston claims that, despite some parents' thoughts, watching TV in the first two years of a child's life will not help their brain development. Even educational programs (BabyGenius, Brainy Baby, or Baby Einstein, etc) that claim to "encourage discovery and inspire" don't actually have any benefits.
Another test by the Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute actually went as far as to claim these DVDs and videos are harmful to babies. Saying infants who watched the videos understood fewer words than those who did not watch. And in addition, watching TV takes time away from more developmentally important activities.
In a Harvard study, IQ tests administered to 3 year olds, those who spent more time watching TV had lower language and visual motor skills. But when the test was readjusted household income or education levels - this association didn't hold up.
So, it's clear that studies about infant/childhood TV-watching are still in the beginning stages.
Many doctors agree that, at the very least, watching TV during infancy creates habits that can lead to obesity later. Since babies and children are being taught to watch TV, they will eventually begin to snack in front of the TV, and see food ads on TV - thereby eating more.
However, Baby Einstein general manager says, "We've basically stayed true to the philosophy to what [Clark] created. That was exposure to real-world imagery. The core themes are art, music and nature; that's the core essence of what we've created." The company receives many letters from thankful, satisfied parents.
There seems to be quite a divide between those who love child-friendly tv and technology and those who think it's dangerous.
What do you think? Are you a parent that supports TV viewing? What type shows do you consider appropriate? Do you want your child to be tech savvy? Do you encourage them to learn computer literacy? What do you think about learning video/computer games?
Most of the information and research about TV and health has been focused around children. Here are some quick facts about kids' TV habits according to the Kaiser Family Foundation:
• 2/3 of infants and toddlers watch a screen for an average of 2 hours a day
• children under 6 watch about 2 hours of media a day (mostly TV and videos/DVDs)
• kids and teens 8-18 spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and 2 hours on the computer (not school-work related) and playing video games
So it makes sense that doctors and scientists are studying how the effects of all this TV-viewing influence children's health.
One study by Children's Hospital Boston claims that, despite some parents' thoughts, watching TV in the first two years of a child's life will not help their brain development. Even educational programs (BabyGenius, Brainy Baby, or Baby Einstein, etc) that claim to "encourage discovery and inspire" don't actually have any benefits.
Another test by the Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute actually went as far as to claim these DVDs and videos are harmful to babies. Saying infants who watched the videos understood fewer words than those who did not watch. And in addition, watching TV takes time away from more developmentally important activities.
In a Harvard study, IQ tests administered to 3 year olds, those who spent more time watching TV had lower language and visual motor skills. But when the test was readjusted household income or education levels - this association didn't hold up.
So, it's clear that studies about infant/childhood TV-watching are still in the beginning stages.
Many doctors agree that, at the very least, watching TV during infancy creates habits that can lead to obesity later. Since babies and children are being taught to watch TV, they will eventually begin to snack in front of the TV, and see food ads on TV - thereby eating more.
However, Baby Einstein general manager says, "We've basically stayed true to the philosophy to what [Clark] created. That was exposure to real-world imagery. The core themes are art, music and nature; that's the core essence of what we've created." The company receives many letters from thankful, satisfied parents.
There seems to be quite a divide between those who love child-friendly tv and technology and those who think it's dangerous.
What do you think? Are you a parent that supports TV viewing? What type shows do you consider appropriate? Do you want your child to be tech savvy? Do you encourage them to learn computer literacy? What do you think about learning video/computer games?
Tags: babies, children, dvds, habits, infants, learning, technology, tv
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Finally_a_Mom on -
I agree I feel too much tv watching for young kids is not good. They get some bad ideas from tv shows other than cartoons. They pick up vocabulary too that they shouldn't be using. I limit tv viewing and computer use. Too much computer use is bad for their eyes.
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Permalink Reply by Kelly D on -
I think TV viewing and video games can be both bad and good. My daughters watched the Einstein videos and their language skills were above those of their peers at various development milestones. I don't think the videos helped them, but I don't think they hurt them either.
I limit my daughters TV and computer time, although I definitely want them to be tech savvy. Technology is a way of life and if they don't learn some skills from playing video games they will be behind their peers when they enter kindergarten or 1st grade. It's a matter of balance - just live everything else.
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Permalink Reply by sanu on -
I believe controlled use of TV is good for children. It helps them to understand and see new happenings in the world.
I am sure it will contribute to their development. TV watching help for entertainment. Like that use of Computer, cycling, playing,etc has same effect on children....... Proper control over behavior is developing from the society life. If a child lags to achieve this parents an d elders have to support them. Children are learning new things every day. They need support......not good to control and restrict them.
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