When I was in college, the internet was just starting to gain speed. One of my professors encouraged us all to get e-mail as it would “change the way we communicate.” All of my toys were wooden or ‘classic’ and I don’t think I had a single electronic anything when I was little. I’m only 32 and while my kids think I’m ‘old’, really, it goes to show how rapidly the information age has changed our culture.
I was also only allowed no more than 30 minutes of television time when I was young. Any additional time had to be bought by reading books. We have the same rule in our house. . .unless I’m sick or there are other extenuating circumstances. But I am amazed at the many, many great parents who don’t share my concerns on young children and television.
The AAP recommends no more than 90 minutes of television OR electronic toys per day for children over the age of 2. According to the AAP, children under the age of 2 should never even be exposed to the television or electronic toys. (That would include things like Baby Leap Pad or watching something like Baby Einstein.) And yet, I bet that if I took an informal survey. . .many of our two year olds would know at least one theme song from either Dora, or Sesame Street. Accoridng to the AAP, the best thing for children is plenty of reading, singing, and conversation. Excessive television viewing has been associated with attention problems, sleep issues, obesity and poor learning outcomes.
However, many parents don’t see it that way. According to a recent survey reported by the AAP this week, many parents not only allow their children some television time every day, but they even have television in their children’s bedrooms. According to the study:
65% of children under 2 represented in the sample watched some television, with the average viewing time being 80 minutes per day.
20% of children under 2 represented in the sample, had television in their rooms (and I quote, “at the end of their cribs”) for the obvious reason: so adults could watch their own shows.
33% of 3 to 6 years olds used a computer for 50 minutes per day (I have to assume in addition to their regularly scheduled programs)
The one bright spot is that once children started school, about 60% had limited television viewing that was in line with the AAP’s guidelines.
I realize that many of us (this mom included) use the television as the convenient and occasional baby sitter to get essential things done (like showering). However, based on my experience as a teacher, I have to say that for every parent that has strict and reasonable television guidelines for their children, there are two more who believe that television isn’t really that harmful. The reasoning is, “Hey, I watched television and I’m fine.” Or, “My teen watched television all the time as a young child and he graduated valedictorian.” Unfortunately, there is no way to measure effect on potential.
There is obviously so much more to good parenting than just limiting television viewing–but really, allowing babies to watch television and play with electronic toys (even ones that are supposedly educational) is equivalent to allowing them to drink soda. There is no doubt about it, our children are the boob tube generation.