Infants, Toddlers and TV: The Sky is Falling!
The front page headline of the Boston Globe on 5/27/07 screamed: "Heavy TV viewing under 2 is found. Ignoring risks, parents cite 'educational' value." Article subtext: Don't these misguided, irresponsible parents know that TV viewing is toxic to their infant's and toddler's brain?
The study of 1009 parents found that 40% of 3-month-olds and 90% of 24-month-olds were watching TV, DVDs, or videos. The average TV viewing time/day was 1 hour in 12 month olds and 1.5 hours in 24 month olds. This despite the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics to avoid any TV viewing until after 2 years of age!
The researchers warn: "Such exposure to [TV] screens can have a negative impact on an infant's rapidly developing brain and put children at a higher risk for attention problems, diminished reading comprehension, and obesity."
Oh, really?
Alas, like many newspaper articles, the Boston Globe was content to uncritically quote these gurus, rather than examining the primary scientific sources for their assertions. If they had, they would have found the research to be weak / non-existent that proves early TV viewing will lead to hyperactive, learning disabled, violent, obese, couch tater-tots.
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If that is the case, why did this issue cop a lead, front-page headline? I've come up with the following trifecta:- It advanced the current bias that TV is a uniformly evil influence on child development.
- It served to reinforce the popular (albeit hopelessly misleading) belief in "infant determinism" (experiences in the first years alter brain development forevermore or, as Rob Reiner famously opined, "After 3, you're toast."). The dubious premise is that the very act of watching a flickering screen in the first years will cause the brain to wire itself - irrevocably - in nasty ways.
- Appearances aside - it's a "feel-good" story. The world is a mess. Wouldn't it be great if simply turning off the TV in the first two years of life would allow for a generation of smart and non-violent and physically fit kids who, unlike our flawed selves, will be exempt from human folly?
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Look, I'm hardly a champion of kids watching TV. There's no question excessive viewing in childhood is associated with obesity and a distorted understanding of the world and its dangers. Baby Einstein is a lucrative crock. TV viewing is a passive and non-creative experience which substitutes for time that would be much better spent reading and actively playing and interacting with fellow humans. The less TV for kids in general, the better.
But mandating an absolute prohibition is a bad idea. Aside from not being justified by the current scientific evidence, it leads to haranguing and guilt-tripping already anxious parents who are sensibly ignoring the gurus and allowing their young kids to spend a little time in front of the tube.
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Article cited:Television and DVD/Video Viewing in Children Younger Than 2 Years
Zimmerman F, Christakis D, Meltzoff A
Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. May, 2007
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: child development, parenting, TV, television, Baby Einstein, health and wellness
16 Comments:
I grew up with very minimal television and I do not have ADHD, Autism, or any of those issues. I do not let my infant son watch TV. It simply is not necessary. It is better to interact with real people than just sit in front of the tube. There is not much on anyway besides Sesame Street that would even be close to appropriate. I can't stand these so-called kid's shows that feature characters that baby-talk. Ick! That is not educational!
There are exceptions, but the majority of stay-at-home-parents I know just laugh at these pronouncements. To anyone who says TV should be banned, I say, try taking care of one or two babies/toddlers all day, every day, and not use the TV once in a while so you can make dinner or read email or just sit down for a few quiet minutes. Come on. My 2-year-old and 4-year-old watch a few TV shows a day, but they're healthy, thin, brilliant and hilarious. Their verbal skills are through the roof. My 4-year-old constantly uses new words and phrases or comes up with startlingly creative ideas, and often when I ask what inspired these things, she cites a TV show. TV is a normal part of modern life for people of all ages, and I'm sick of it being demonized. People are always looking for something that's evil, something that's to blame. I think of the many, many parts of this world where the mothers would be dumbfounded to think that we are so worried about our privileged children watching "too much TV." I'm sure these mothers would dearly love the chance to sit in a comfortable room and enjoy Dora or Wonderpets or whatever with their children.
Thanks for your comments. My toddler LOVES Sesame Street but I've been feeling guilty letting her watch it. Maybe I don't need to.
I see a lot of good in children's tv (pardon the pun). My son is severely disabled so the tv is on most of the time. It has allowed him to see and experience things well beyond his world. I watch them with him and help him follow along. We dance along with the kids on Barney, sing, count and learn with the help of the tv.
There is a cartoon teching about the American Revolution, he now knows the foundation of our country. He is exposed to algebra and decimals on the math show and is learning how to approach a problem to solve it.
In addition he is learning cultural literacy. He is exposed to opera, ballet, rap and country western music on Sesame Street. He sees what big cities are like, we live in the country.
The producers of these shows work very hard at making the shows educational on many levels. To an adult who may only see a few minutes before turning up their nose and tuning it out, these shows are "worthless drivel." This material is new to a child and has value.
My kids don't even know that TV shows and commericals exist. I only allow them to watch DVDs of my chosing.
I Just want to say if parents would spend time reading, playing with their children or even going for a walk and talking to them about whatever the children want to talk about It would be a chance for the children and mom's to get to know each other.
I agree some tv is ol but it is not a babysitter.
and we did not have adhd, autism or anything whle we were young we learned to do things (chores) and love our family.
To the parent who says try taking care of young children without using TV to have a quiet moment - I say - I DO IT EVERYDAY. I still succeed in checking email, reading, having quiet moments to myself. Heck, I even get a hot shower without TV. NONE. And my children are 1 and 3 years old. No TV necessary. It can and is being done.
To those who say that they don't let their kids watch TV. I think you are full of it. I am a stay at home dad. My children are 4,2,1. They are smart, creative, funny , and some of the most well behaved kids that I have seen. Oh and NOT obese. To read some of your comments makes me sick. I spend a ton of time playing and reading with my kids. Has anyone ever heard of having time for yourself. The TV is great when you need a little time to get some things done. Not to mention you can even watch TV as a family. WOW emagine that. To the parent who gets things done without using the TV. I was wondering, what are your kids doing? Some of you need to lighten up.
I think that not letting your children watch tv, will make them want to so much more when they get older. There should be some time for your children to enjoy want you enjoy. There are programs that encourage creative. If you just make sure that watching tv is not the only thing that your children do, then there should be no problem.
The judgment of other parents really surprises me. I am the mother of a 2 year old with one on the way and most of the parents that I surround myself with all agree in non-judgmental parenting. What is good for one parent may not be good for another, but who am I to force my beliefs onto another. I believe that moderation is a good standard for almost everything from television to juice. Keep in mind; we are all striving for the same thing, to raise well-rounded and productive children that can function in society. Please, refrain from telling others what is best for them; lets keep our eyes on the big picture!
I believe that the bigger problem is letting the TV babysit your child. Which is common in busy households. If you keep it to a minimum, carefully watch what your child is exposed to (including commercials) and interact with your child even while the TV is on, there is little problem. It is when your child is parked in front of the screen morning till night, not talking to others, not moving around, snacking continuously, and not getting any play time in that the problems occur.
I'm currently staying at home with my
3 1/2 year old daughter and 3 month
old son. Today, I played polly birdie ( a make believe game) for
close to 2 hours, read books, painted
pictures, took a walk and played at
the park, went to the library, and
played trains with my daughter and she still watched more than 2 hours of tv today. For myself before 8 pm, I got a shower, managed to nurse and nap my son, fed the animals, scooped the litter box, wrote one e- mail, and cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The real question is how do you get a 3 year old to entertain themselves long enough for you to take a breather and get some necessary things done. Riddle me that, and I'll toss the tv out the window.
For what its worth, how about the computers in our households? How about all the dangers of the internet...that kids have access to so prevelently. I would be more concerned about the inappropriate things, ie porn etc...and by the way, what are the kids doing NOW while we are all blogging at our laptops???
anonymous,
Nancy Davis, who writes our Safety4Kids blog agrees with you.
Safety4Kids has a free browser to limit what young kids can see on the Internet. It's a very helpful too..
Due to high medical bills (we can't afford good insurance; my husband's employer doesn't provide it), I have to work part-time to supplement our income. Luckily, I can work from home, thus avoiding daycare (I couldn't afford it on our salary even if I wanted it.) My daughter is 7 months old, and is with me all day. I interact with her constantly. While I'm working, she's usually on my lap or right beside me. I make a point of talking to her most of the day. And I am committed to nursing her as long as she needs it. At the end of every day, I'm absolutely exhausted; I manage a shower maybe every 3 days; I don't always eat well because it's difficult to make meals. And now I'm feeling guilty because I leave the TV on for a couple of hours every day to engross her while I do the bare basics: eat, brush my teeth, make meals, use the toilet, feed the pets, etc. I always make sure she has toys around her when the TV is on, and most of the time, she plays with toys and glances at the TV now and then. But it keeps her occupied, and I am finally able to eat! I just wonder what the balance is here. I feel like I'm doing the best I can, and it still involves TV.
My daughter is 9 months old, and my telivision is on for a couple of hours a day as well. I too make sure she is surrounded with toys...she plays with toys and explores her surroundings (getting into everything) and occassionally stops for a few minutes at a time to watch the T.V (mostly when there is singing). I do not see a problem with this...I also spend most of the day sitting with her, playing, reading or talking to her, or we are out of the house doing things. It is great if you can get everything done without T.V, but I don't think us parents that do allow some T.V should feel guilty as long as our children are not parked in front of it all day zoned out and are getting plenty of attention from us and physical activity. As my daughter gets older, her T.V time will be monitored more since older children tend to have less educational programs available and will watch t.v all day if left to do so (which is definetyl not healthy)....so I guess my opinion is t.v in moderation, making sure you're kids get plenty of interaction with you and others, creative activities and physical activity to keep them happy, healthy, creative and well adjusted.
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