The more time children spend watching television the poorer they perform academically, according to three studies published on Monday (July 4). Excessive television viewing has been blamed for increasing rates of childhood obesity and for aggressive behaviour, while its impact on schooling have been inconclusive, researchers said.
But studies published on the topic in this month's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine concluded television viewing tended to have an adverse effect on academic pursuits.
For instance, children in third grade (approximately 8 years old) who had televisions in their bedrooms - and therefore watched more TV - scored lower on standardised tests than those who did not have sets in their rooms.
In contrast, the study found having a home computer with access to the Internet resulted in comparatively higher test scores.