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Allowing children under 3 to watch television
can impair their linguistic and social development, and also put them
at risk of health problems including attention-deficit disorder, autism
and obesity.
Before the age of 3, children's brains go through rapid development and
are being physically shaped in response to whatever they are exposed to.
Exposing children to fast-moving images for sustained periods at this
time can inhibit their ability to sustain attention, and hinder their
development of social skills.
Research suggests that television can also cause irregular sleep patterns
for infants and toddlers, and decrease their resting metabolic rate, which
compounds the physiological problems that come with lack of exercise.
At least one study suggests that early exposure to TV can be a trigger
for autism.
Guardian Unlimited April 24, 2007
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
Earlier this year, I told you about the work of Dr. Aric Sigman, a noted
British psychologist who's just as concerned as I am about the dire effects
TV can have on kids.
The summarized and linked Guardian article above explains Dr. Sigman's
views about the harmful effects TV can have on the health of young ones
watching as little as 90 minutes a day.
Kids don't need a TV to help them get interested in the outside world.
As Dr. Sigman so accurately put it, "The world around them [children]
gets them interested in the outside world."
I understand the temptation to allow the TV to serve as a surrogate babysitter
because our culture has created such an economic challenge that the resources
are frequently not available to provide an optimal parenting setting.
You have to do what you have to do. However, it is important to realize
that there are consequences for your choices, and just like choosing to
consume fast food, you may regret the long-term complications.
For the record, Dr. Sigman believes no baby under age 3 should be watching
TV at all, and those between the ages of 3 and 7 should be limited to
no more than an hour in front of the tube daily.
If you believe these restrictions are too harsh, however, consider all
the health issues, including childhood obesity and a lack of exercise,
that the presence of an always-on TV exacerbates.
- In addition, TV can:
- Change your child's views and food choices
- Make your kids more materialistic
- Cause your children to go into more debt
as adults
- Cause your children to be more aggressive
- Lead to smoking
- Increase your child's risk of becoming
seriously injured
Begin the process of lessening your reliance
on a TV to "babysit" your child today by taking some time to
engage them in activities that have nothing at all to do with sitting
in front of a glow box
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