Too Much TV May Cause Behavior Problems

More Than 2 Hours Of Television A Day Harms Children's Social Skills, Study Shows

(WebMD)  Watching more than two hours of television a day may lead to behavioral problems among young children, according to a new study.

Researchers found that children who watched more than two hours of television per day from age 2 1/2 until age 5 1/2 were more likely to develop sleep, attention, and aggressive behavior problems than those who watched less.

In addition, researchers found 5 1/2-year-olds who watched more than two hours of television per day also had fewer social skills.

Researcher Kamila B. Mistry, MPH, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and colleagues say the results suggests that the timing of television exposure among children may be significant, and they highlight the need to monitor children's television use, especially during the early childhood years.

TV Affects Children's Behavior
The study, published in Pediatrics, involved more than 2,700 children whose parents were interviewed by telephone about their television viewing habits at age 2 1/2 and again at 5 1/2.

The results showed that 16 percent of parents said their child watched more than two hours of television a day at age 2 1/2, compared with 15 percent of 5 1/2-year-olds who watched more than two hours of TV per day.

Twenty percent of parents reported that their child watched more than two hours of television per day at both ages. This sustained exposure to television was associated with problems with sleep, attention, and aggressive behavior.

Early exposure to television was not associated with any problems with social skills, but watching more than two hours a day at age 5 1/2 was linked to fewer social skills.

The study also showed that 41 percent of children had a television in their room by age 5 1/2, and having a television in the bedroom was associated with sleep problems and less emotional reactivity at age 5 1/2.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not having a television set in children's bedrooms and discourages television viewing among children under 2 years old, with no more than two hours per day of TV recommended for children over 2.

[michellem99-2009]

I was raised alone as a blind child as the sighted wanted nothing to do with me as their hated or fear. Children need to hear a book read to them, building blocks,play. In my day there was 3 channels on TV. I can see the educational programmes that something is learnt. Most is trash. Mum said them be bad,the violate ones are.I would like the tv programmes to be cleaned up as there is no need for the trash just to get ratings, the violate and sexual is not wanted in my home and true the channal can and is switched over or off. Children must not watch such trash and we didn''t growing up. If it was banned in the home and foster mother said no. That is it. We did not see it.She as care taker banned it. At 53, I have TV but it is not the centre of attn. I rather be on computer.

[arnoldbowers]

I have two grand children who watch TV from mirning to night and they are both hostile to every one except their dad who will knock their head off if they smart mouth him. I just as soon not deven go around them they are 11 and 17 now and I stay away from them. Frank Bowers in
Austin, TX

[sjw1253]

It is interesting as I have seen this first-hand with my grandson. My daughter - a social worker - has fortunately been trained in recognizing this behavior.

Yes - it can easily be the most "inocent" show. We as adults clearly don''t recognize the "violence" as someone rescues another person (or character as in cartoons).

Even when the heroes rescue others - it demonstrates some sort of violence.

Now - if you used something like "Sesame Street" or "Baby Mozart" - as a comparison - it would not be likely as these shows do not show any type of "rescue" techniques.

I believe also that as a child is fixed to the t.v. and/or video games for any long stretch of time - it does create a "hermit" type existence in that the child becomes so entranced and "addicted" to the set they forget the rest of the world exists.

We know this can easily happen to adults as well - but children as they are developing most definitely need to understand the difference from interacting with an inanimate object and the "real" world.

[hypnotoad72]

Does it matter if the TV program shown is "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "Beverly Hills Psycho Bloodlist VI"?

The problem goes back to parenting. Or lack thereof. Are the parents too indolent? Or are they having to work multiple jobs because they lost their well paying ones due to offshoring? Or any other of numerous possibilities?

It''s been said parents should only raise as many children as they can afford. What if they lose their ability to afford via means utterly out of their control?

[michellem99-2009]

Sorry yer rip a child from her/fis family and yer blame the telly.. I didn''t watch it growing up. I am 53. I was pissed growing up as I was moved from foster home to foster home. Denied an education and when I did start school I was 10. I still cry today cause as the abuse the state foster homes. So they said behavioual problems. Shoved me in homes and schools that never met my needs. Lied to my Dad. I was a pissed child as they never ever helped learn as a blind and multi handicapped person. I wanted to learn and they knew they robbed me. I was a girl and girl marry. I never did. Now parents are doing the same to their children. The money is more important. I feel so dumb. Please not to the children as they will be our future. I ask WHY.. Teach our girls that there is life beyond children as not all are Mums. I am not and never was.The teley is not a baby sitter.