Children under 11 years of age currently spend more time watching videos and playing computer games than watching television, according to a study. Children this age spent a mean of 1.5 hours daily watching television, 1.1 hours watching videos, and 0.5 hours playing computer games.
Also, 30 percent of parents reported that their child had eaten breakfast or dinner in front of the television in the past week, 26 percent said their child had a television in his or her bedroom, and 22 percent were concerned about the amount of television that their child watched.
Having a TV in a child's bedroom was associated with increased television viewing (0.25 hour), video viewing (0.31 hour), and use of computer games (0.21 hour).
Eating breakfast or dinner in front of the television in the past week was associated with increased TV (0.38 hour) and video (0.19 hour) viewing. In general, higher parental education was associated with fewer hours of watching television and videos (but not computer games), not having a television in the child's bedroom, and more concern about the amount of TV the child viewed.
Television viewing has been associated with problems ranging from obesity and attentional problems to aggressive behaviour. Video viewing has been associated with increased body mass index, and computer games have been linked to aggressive behaviour. Strategies to reduce these sedentary behaviours in children should target parents of lower education.
Parents could also benefit from tools and strategies that would help them exert more control over their children's television habits, suggest Dimitri A. Christakis, M.D., M.P.H.
As a result, they sometimes are tempted to spend their time being entertained with video games, watching television, downloading music and chatting on the Internet instead of doing their homework and more active leisure activities. These temptations are all competing for children's time at the expense of their education, health and well being.
Childhood obesity, school violence and poor reading and math skills can all be tied to too much mass media play in childhood. Too many children are neglecting schoolwork and exercise in favour of eating chips in front of the TV.
Fast-paced video games and television shows have shortened children's attention spans. Recreational reading is almost non-existent. Even worse, the violence children see on TV is being replayed in the schools, and basic reading and math skills are lagging way behind.
Limit television to one public room in the house. Just as with computers, this will give you more control over the content they're exposed to. If you have cable, ask your cable company to block inappropriate stations. You can even buy some children's television remotes that are only programmed with the channels you specify.
SUBSTITUTE OTHER ACTIVITIES: Another way of limiting media playtime is to substitute other activities for your kids. Encourage them to play outside with their friends.
Take a walk around the block together. Help them find a hobby they enjoy that doesn't require electricity or batteries. Have them help you fix a healthy dinner. Make weekly outings to the library to check out books.
While not all the ills of children today can be blamed on the mass media, it is something that parents should be more aware of. Take some steps today to limit the amount of exposure your children are getting. Your kids might not be too thrilled with the limits you set, but they'll adjust. Model the behaviour you want your kids to exemplify. Read for pleasure, don't play video games with your kids and don't watch trashy or violent TV shows with your kids around. The sacrifices you and your kids make today will bring big rewards in the years to come.
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