E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Getty Images file
A new study is suggesting what many parents have been telling their kids for decades: too much television is bad for you. British researchers have found that more than two hours spent watching TV or playing video games could put your child at a greater risk of psychological problems. Regardless of age, sex or even if the child in question maintains an otherwise rigorous regimen of daily physical activity, the consequences of too much time in front of the screen can negatively affect that child’s mental well-being. Just last week, the Daily Mail reported a disturbing story of a child whose behavior changed radically after too much television. It's an all-too-familiar situation for many parents.
To combat the problem, Dr. Thomas N. Robinson of Stanford University School of Medicine recommends establishing a screen-time budget to reduce children's exposure and improve their health.
As any parent can tell you, budgeting a child’s TV time is a directive that will invariably be met with resistance. Parents, do you agree with the findings of this study? What steps do you take to limit your child’s TV time? What steps can you recommend to parents who might still be struggling? Share your stories in the comment section below.
"Like" TODAY Moms on Facebook, and follow us @TodayMoms
Leave a Comment:
I'm sorry,
I know tv is not great for you but I think this is totally outrageous. I think they are trying to scare people they deem too stupid to monitor their children's tv watching. It's pretty obvious to me that this poor kid is autisitc (which could explain why he was dumped in front of the tv int he first place...so sad) and it's also obvious that 5 hours or more of tv a day is bad for a child. When I was a kid, in the oldin days, as my son says, there was no cable, and the tv was still on all day in the background. somedays I did watch 5 hours (when I was older), some days I watched none. I DO watch too much tv now, and I think that IS because I'm used to having it on all the time, but I am not mentally impaired, nor are my husband and son. We are all, in fact, quite intelligent. I know that on persons story does not make the rule, but that is what they are trying to do here, isn't it? We live in an age of hysteria, where there is a new demon to fight every other day; making certain that parents feel incompetent and constantly worried. I'm SICK of it. We need a common sense revolution. Too much of anything is not good, but I, in no way, believe that moderate tv is dangerous, even for infants (very limited).
One of the easiest ways to get kids to cut back? Get the TV out of the kids bedrooms!! It is not necessary for a TV in every room. Next, TV is not needed during the school week. If you can't go this extreme, than turn off the TV during meal times and homework times. Only allow the TV to be on once meal is eaten, chores are done and homework is accomplished. Best yet, do as many have done and throw out the TV. Rent videos and that way you have even greater control!
This research doesn't surprise me at all. My kids are elementary and preschool age, and I definitely see that they get aggressive and frustrated after having sat in front of the TV for hours at a time. I don't believe you can compare an adult or older child watching TV to a young child or toddler whose brain is still developing. I believe the younger the child, the more detrimental to brain development TV watching can be. In fact I wonder if being "babysat" by the TV as a toddler/preschooler is not one of the reasons kids end up with ADHD in the first place. I have read there are "windows" of developmental for children, especially with speech and communication that happen by age 3 or 4. If children are not exposed to interactive sensory experiences that stimulate their brains and help them achieve certain developmental milestones by a certain age, I wonder if these "windows" close for good?