Is Television Bad for Children?

Age of Child

• A child̵7;s age and level of physical activity determine some of the inherent effects of television viewing. The AAP urges parents to not allow children younger than 2 to watch TV because of its effects on healthy brain growth and language development. The AAP has linked excessive viewing habits in children of all ages to childhood obesity, decreased school achievement, sleep disorders and eating disorders.

  Television can help preschoolers learn introductory language skills, such as the alphabet or simple sentence structure. Some shows offer children a perspective on the world outside of their own experiences, using bilingual language in their content or allowing kids to see wildlife outside of their own region. There are also many shows available that emphasize a family's religious convictions or views on the world.

  One suggestion for finding a balance is for parents to take part in watching shows with their children and creating a media-free zone in other areas of the house. By encouraging conversation at the dinner table or during play, children can develop in age-appropriate ways that sitting in front of a television by themselves may stifle.

Time Spent Watching Television

• The Nielson Co. states that the average child spends around 28 hours a week watching television, although kids who use portable electronic devices can spend around 52 hours a week. Experts recommend that children have less than two hours of screen time per day, however, to stay well-rounded. Children who regularly spend more than four hours per day watching TV are more likely to be overweight.

  Parents can limit their children's time in front of the TV by setting a timer or by allowing them to pick shows in half-hour segments. It may also help to pick a day of the week that is "media free," where the TV stays off and no one gets on the Internet.

Content of Shows

• Most network television shows take part in a rating system that hints at a show's content, but adults must still encourage a careful selection of programs their children view. The ever-increasing trend of scary or sexual content can traumatize some kids who have difficulty differentiating between acting and real life. Even teenagers can experience anxiety or the pressure to become someone they̵7;re not based on what they see on television. What a television may promote about hot topics, such as sexuality and drug use, may make young people feel abnormal if they feel differently.

  One way to address these issues is to view the shows with children and adolescents, discussing their content to teach critical viewing skills. Talk about the different characters, and how the choices each made could have been better or different. In this way, even a negative program can become a positive lesson.

  Schools can implement media as a positive tool for children, offering special insights through nationally produced programs. Parents should preview the curriculum ahead of time to look for any material they may object to.

Noticable Effects

• Excessive time in from of the TV has been show to impact physical development, reading rates and conversational skills. Television shows can inspire children to engage in more aggressive behavior, such as play fighting or risky stunts. Unless parents step in, the average child will be affected by over 200,000 violent acts on television by the time he or she graduates high school.

  Advertisements also create a sense in children of wanting what they don't need. The effects of this can be limited if parents have kids watch public television stations, rent DVDs or record programs that can be watched without the commercials.