Hot Topic (2/27): Do you let your kids watch TV?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

TV:  How much is too much?

In spite of its recommendation that children over age 2 watch no more than one to two hours of quality programming - and that children under the age of two watch no television at all - the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that American kids watch about four hours of TV a day. On average, kids spend over 1,000 hours per year in front of the TV, versus the 900 hours they spend in school.

“My kids are watching quality programs,” you may say. While some TV can be educational – think Sesame Street - most of it is not. And some of the drawbacks of TV in general apply to educational shows as well.

Here are just a few reasons why parents should limit TV time:

Violence

According to the AAP, the average American child will view 200,000 violent acts on television by age 18. While parents teach their children that it’s not right to strike another, TV shows them otherwise. Even superheroes and good guys harm others. Violence is shown as a way to get what you want without consequence.

 

Beyond imitating what they see, many children are also traumatized. Young children in particular cannot distinguish between make-believe and reality, so scary images may be especially frightening. As children get older, news programs reporting everything from violence to natural disasters may leave them feeling vulnerable and afraid of the world.

Risk-taking behavior

Television programs and the commercials frequently show substance abuse, sex, dangerous stunts as exciting and cool. KidsHealth.org reports that teens who watch a lot of sexual content on TV are more likely to participate in sexual activities earlier than teens who do not watch sexually explicit shows.

 

According to a study by Georgetown University’s Center on Alcohol Marketing (CAMY) and Youth, American teens were exposed to 40% more alcohol TV ads in 2007 than teens were just six years ago. Teenagers see more than 300 television advertisements for alcohol each year. While major broadcast networks ban hard-liquor advertising, cable networks do not. In fact, CAMY found that the top 15 teen-oriented TV programs had alcohol ads.

And even though cigarette commercials have been banned from television, kids still see people smoking on TV shows. Studies indicate that kids who watch five or more hours of TV per day are significantly more likely to smoke cigarettes than those who watch less than two hours a day.

Obesity

Obesity – one of today’s most serious health concerns – has long been linked with excessive TV watching. Not only are children inactive when viewing the television, but they’re likely snacking. Kids who eat in front of the TV are consuming calories almost unconsciously – barely aware of what they’re putting in their mouth. Meanwhile, commercials incessantly promote unhealthful foods such as french fries, sugary snacks, and soft drinks.

 

And even children who watch educational TV without commercials are prone to obesity. Regardless of what type of programs they’re watching, kids who are plastered in front of the television aren’t exercising, playing outside, reading, or making friends.

What should parents do?

Some experts recommend parents encourage more hours per week of educational programming, while others advise that no TV is a better solution. If a parent decides TV is appropriate for occasional entertainment, it’s important that they control the amount of time spent in front of the screen as well as the programs they allow their children to watch.

 

TV rules for kids

 

• Keep the TVs in family areas and out of the kids’ bedrooms.
• Know what your kids are watching. Preview the show before the children see it, or devote at least the first few minutes to determine whether or not the show they’re viewing is appropriate.
• When watching TV with your kids, discuss what you’re seeing. Many programs provide opportunities for parents to share their beliefs about a variety of subjects, such as underage drinking, family life, differences among people, and so much more.
• Encourage your child to do something (other than snacking) while watching TV – work on a puzzle, color with crayons, knit, build a model airplane. Kids may find that the project at hand is more interesting than what’s on the boob tube.
• Turn off the TV before school, at mealtime, and while the kids are doing homework.
• Turn it off as soon as a program is over, rather than surf the channels looking for something else to watch.

Bottom line

If your children are permitted to watch TV, make sure they know that it’s a privilege or an occasional treat, not an entitlement. Keep an eye on what and how much they watch, and set a good example yourself by limiting the amount of television you watch.

 

Do you agree with this article?

Do you limit TV time in your house?

Do you think there are any shows or videos that are good for kids to watch? 

What are your kids' favorite shows?

 

[hsteele]

Totally agree. My 3 year probably gets 2 hours of tv a day at the most, which is way to much. She usually watches playhouse disney, but while we're here in Japan the Armed Forces network has a kids channel that combines PBS, Disney, and Nick jr, so she watches a mixture. She gets to watch one of her movies every once in a while, like Tinkerbell or Little Einsteins. Sometimes if we are watching like King of the Hill or family guy, I am ashamed to say she watches with us. We are still having a hard time adjusting to life here in Japan and are still not unpacked, so we haven't gotten back into our normal routine, but when we do, it will be bye bye tv for a while. TV hinders a childs imagination. And unfortunately its being pushed on young parents as a tool for making their babies geniuses. I think tv is too often used as a babysitter. Guilty of that myself.

[Brandie_xo]

I dont agree with telling kids they can't watch tv. I can remember watching countless hours of tv as a child.  But we were also made to go play outside on nice days. (and on the screened in porch on not so nice ones. lol)

But I was a really well rounded kid. Always at a good weight. made exellent grades.

I think that parents do need to very closely monitor WHAt their children watch.

We live in Germany right now, and yes, my daughter watches tv. She will sit and watch horton hears a who all the way through.   I dont worry about what she sees on tv, because we are stationed overseas witht he army, so i dont have to worry about inappropraite commericals.  I put it on playhouse disney and she's good to go. she watches it and plays with her toys while i clean or do whatever.

[Da1nOnlyDestiny]

noggin and nick jr are background noise in my house. its on as long as the kids are in the house except for when it is time for therapy and homework.

[Eadanu]

Same here Noggin and nick jr are always on in my house. But my son may only sit and watch 2 or 3 shows the whole time the tv is on. He is always running in and out of the back door playing or playing in his room. Now when he get older and starts sitting in front of it all day long I might limit it to a few hours a day but as of right now he is fine.

Quoting Da1nOnlyDestiny:

noggin and nick jr are background noise in my house. its on as long as the kids are in the house except for when it is time for therapy and homework.

[Da1nOnlyDestiny]

exactly :)

Quoting Eadanu:

Same here Noggin and nick jr are always on in my house. But my son may only sit and watch 2 or 3 shows the whole time the tv is on. He is always running in and out of the back door playing or playing in his room. Now when he get older and starts sitting in front of it all day long I might limit it to a few hours a day but as of right now he is fine.

Quoting Da1nOnlyDestiny:

noggin and nick jr are background noise in my house. its on as long as the kids are in the house except for when it is time for therapy and homework.

[forsythia_18]

This was never an issue when I was little.  I had a couple of shows I liked to watch everyday but most of the time I was outside. I think it's excessive when some mother's say, "absolutely NO tv" (like my aunt).  A bit is ok.  No big deal.

[Robin]

I think that as long as kids are active doing other things, some tv is fine - and enjoyable, too!

[Junebug926]

We do but try to limit it. I absolutley hate the nick channels and am thinking about banning them though. :P I don't like her watching shows where they use the word "stupid", etc.

[momagain4321]

With the amount of educational shows on today, this should not be an issue. Parents just need to make the right choices.

My little one loves noggin and learns so much from this show. He dances and interacts with the characters. He loves it. My older son is 6 and I limit the type of shows he watches. No violence. My oldest daughter had him in the room while watching family guy and I almost lost it. Trying to explain to a teenager what is appropriate for a little one is difficult.

My teenagers can watch almost anything. I do not let them watch certain hbo shows, too much sex. But anything they watch it is usually with us anyways since I absolutely do not allow tvs in bedrooms. Takes away from family spending time together and getting to see what is on.

[2cuddlebabies]

the only time my son (3yrs) actually sits and watches tv is when sesame street or mickey mouse is on. he also gets involved with the shows and dances around, counts with them. mainly the tv is background noise, for everyone.

I remember watching tv as a child and never had a low activity problem.

right now he is watching handy manny and running in circles.