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Study shows 40 percent of infants are regular TV watchers by the age of 3 months
Categories: Development, Media, That's Entertainment
I was really influenced by the recommendations that kids shouldn't watch television until they are two. I became one of those self-righteous anti-TV people, and I took a lot of flak for that whenever I mentioned television here or at my personal blog. I know everyone thinks I'm a snob. You don't need to remind me.
Now that my daughter is two, I do let her watch about 20 minutes of television a day. She isn't that interested in it, and that anti-TV guy in me doesn't want to encourage it. But a new study just released shows that I am definitely in a minority in my beliefs. The study by the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that 40 percent of infants are regular television watchers by the time they are 3-months old. By the time they are 2 (the age that the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest parents start allowing their children to watch television) 90 percent of children are already regular television viewers. The study also showed that the TV is not being used as a "babysitter" to allow parents to get chores done or give attention to other kids, but that parents are actively seeking out television time for their toddlers because they believe television will "expand their minds, language skills and cognitive abilities." No study has ever been able to determine that television helps kids in those ways, but I have heard plenty of anecdotal evidence that it does.
A second study by the same entity determined that 14-year-olds who watch more than three hours of television a day are far more likely to "have a negative attitude toward school, skip homework and to have trouble paying attention" than kids who watch one hour a day or less. Kids who watch 3 or more hours are also less likely to go to college.
One recommendation from the study was resounding: parents shouldn't let kids have televisions in their room at any age.
Now that my daughter is two, I do let her watch about 20 minutes of television a day. She isn't that interested in it, and that anti-TV guy in me doesn't want to encourage it. But a new study just released shows that I am definitely in a minority in my beliefs. The study by the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that 40 percent of infants are regular television watchers by the time they are 3-months old. By the time they are 2 (the age that the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest parents start allowing their children to watch television) 90 percent of children are already regular television viewers. The study also showed that the TV is not being used as a "babysitter" to allow parents to get chores done or give attention to other kids, but that parents are actively seeking out television time for their toddlers because they believe television will "expand their minds, language skills and cognitive abilities." No study has ever been able to determine that television helps kids in those ways, but I have heard plenty of anecdotal evidence that it does.
A second study by the same entity determined that 14-year-olds who watch more than three hours of television a day are far more likely to "have a negative attitude toward school, skip homework and to have trouble paying attention" than kids who watch one hour a day or less. Kids who watch 3 or more hours are also less likely to go to college.
One recommendation from the study was resounding: parents shouldn't let kids have televisions in their room at any age.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jennifer S. 5-10-2007 @ 11:57AM
Baby Einstein is the culprit here I suspect. Someone gave me one of those tapes when my son was born. After watching it a couple of times we threw it out. We decided that we have no problem letting our kids watch videos (not TV and not before 18 months) but that they would have to be well done. The Baby Einstein videos were poorly produced. That they claimed educational benefits was offensive. I feel similarly about "educational toys" like Leapfrog. We have tried not to have any of those in our house.
My other thoughts about this are less judgmental. The popularity of these videos/toys obviously points to a deep seated anxiety in our society. Parenting has become very competitive. We are worried all the time. Something about this situation has to change or we are all going to explode. People are beginning to talk about this anxiety but the conversation hasn’t gone far enough.
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Ginny 5-10-2007 @ 12:15PM
I don't know where they are finding all these TV watching infants and toddlers....my two didn't have any interest in TV at all when they were babies. Even now that they are 5 and 6, they still don't want to sit down and watch TV when there are so many other things they can get into. ;)
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Trisha 5-10-2007 @ 12:12PM
I think that's a little harsh on the baby einstein. I admit that anyone who watched one can tell they aren't anything high tech but they are silly and very simple, things toddlers enjoy. I don't consider a Disney video any better for my daughter just because it's a higher quality production. She dosen't watch those anyway. I occasionally let my 1 year old watch a baby einstein dvd just because she likes it- it dosne't make her any smarter, or have better vocabulary, she just thinks it's fun and exciting to watch.
That said, we don't even have "tv" meaning we don't have cable or sattelite. I think we could pick up a channel or two if we tried. So anyway, I'm with you J.D. on the anti-tv thing, it's a waste of time besides all the other cons.
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Melinda 5-10-2007 @ 12:15PM
Ok. My 23 month old daughter doesn't ever watch tv unless I do, which is ONLY if American Idol or Lost is on. Seriously. We have Moxi so we just record what we want, which is only those two shows.
She doesn't care for American Idol, but if Lost is on, you can bet that she is my lap, quiet as a mouse, staring at the show. I've even got pictures of her face when she is watching. She gets so into it! She will even ask you to move if you get in the way of the tv. I don't think an hour a week will do her any bad.
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Jennifer S. 5-10-2007 @ 1:12PM
I guess I do know that the Baby Einstein videos are largely inoffensive...yet something about them really turned me off. I think it was the fact that they are making so much money off of such cheaply produced stuff, also that they were making educational claims, and that they were marketing them to parents of infants. So, yes the videos themselves are inoffensive but the company/ marketing strategy is not.
We also try (and have largely succeeded) in avoiding Disney products. Our current favorite videos are old Zaboomafoo shows. I was also a big fan of Bear in the Big Blue House when my kids would watch them.
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Devynn 5-10-2007 @ 1:23PM
i'm all for not having kids have tvs in the rooms. that also extends to computers and gaming systems. but limiting these devices to a central location where you can keep an eye on what your child is watching, playing and/or talking to, you are better able to combat some bad behavior that may stem from participating in these actvities. but for the love of God, stop thinking that tv is going to warp your child's brain! it's NOT! if you made it through life without tv turning you into a zombie, then so will your kid. it's just a matter of being an active parent in their life and telling them why you won't allow certain video games, tv shows in the house and why you won't allow them on the computer for a specified about of time, etc. geez.....every time i see things like this, all i see are extreme parents. it's either all or nothing with you ppl! ever heard of "middle ground?!" it wouldn't kill you to see what life there is like. a good portion of this country lives there and wouldn't you know it? we all turned out ok. some of us better then the rest, but all told, we're doing just fine. now excuse me, i got some stuff on the dvr i need to watch. :)
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Sarah 5-10-2007 @ 1:47PM
J.D., I don't think you are a snob! For some reason saying you don't let your kids watch TV or only allow a little, gets the dander up of so many people even though it is a legitimate (and healthy) parenting choice.
I wrote about this a while back (http://roughdraft.typepad.com/dotmoms/2005/09/the_boob_tube.html) and people got really mad at me! My daughter is three now and watches a bit of tv every week (Little Bear or Arthur videos) and I still think it is too much---plus, now we have a new baby and I don't want her exposed yet.
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