We’ve all heard the negatives associated with allowing kids to watch a lot of TV: Increased aggression, decreased academic performance, sleep disturbances – and the sheer quantity of time spent in front of a screen and NOT doing something else. It never hurts, though, to have those incentives to unplug reiterated and reinforced.
Last week a report was released by Common Sense Media (utilizing researchers from Yale, the National Institutes for Health and others) which evaluated 173 studies over the past 28 years concerning the impact of media on children (think television, movies and music).
The researchers found a very strong link between media exposure and childhood obesity and eventual tobacco use, and a strong link to early sexual activity. They also discovered a “moderately strong link” with drug and alcohol use and low academic achievement.
The message here? The authors spelled it out in these two recommendations to parents:
1. Limit the amount of time kids use media. Monitor their use, and explain to them why too much time in front of a screen is harmful.
2. Take kids outside to play. Encourage them to spend more time playing instead of watching – and playing real games instead of virtual ones.
‘Nuff said.
Click here to read a summary of the report.
(Thanks to Metro Parent’s good friend Jean Rystrom of Kaiser Permanente for bringing this study to our attention.)

December 9th, 2008 | Category: Metro Parent