“Television has changed the American child from an irresistable force to an immovable object.” (Peter). There was a time when all children wanted to do was to run, play, explore, and be adventurous. As time evolved, children have found more interest in television. Statistics show that a child spends 900 hours per year in school,and they spend 1,200 hours per year watching television. When asked to choose between watching T.V. and spending time with their families fifty-four percent of four to six year olds voted they would prefer to watch television. Television has changed the mindset of children over the years it has been proven that the more programs they watch, the more harmful it is to their brain development. T.V.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under the age of two years have no screen time, with the exception of video chatting. Children younger than two benefit from a hands-on learning approach, therefore, introducing them to a digital device takes away time they need to be socially interactive to develop their cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional skills. By the age of two, and through the preschool aged years it is recommended that children have no more than 1 ½ hours of screen time per week, and that screen time should be monitored to ensure it is educational as well as age appropriate. There are even television channels and computer applications that are dedicated to creating educational, engaging, and enjoyable content for such young viewers, however, it should be noted that
Add to this study a statistic from the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics “75% of teenagers now own cell phones, 25% use them for social media, 54% use them for texting, and 24% of them use them for instant messaging” (Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe). We have an entire generation that is developing socially and emotionally while “plugged-in”. This negative effect is not only caused by just internet use and cell phones, our old friend the television is causing us harm as well. With the invent of newer ways to deliver television shows, the ability to better record television shows, and watch “on demand” shows it shouldn’t be shocking to know that according to Neilson Ratings the average American household watches “5 hours and 11 minutes of television a day” (Who Watches What (and How Much)? U.S. TV Trends by Ethnicity). Psychologists have proven that too much television has been shown to “hamper development of the pre-frontal cortex -- the area of the brain responsible for planning, organizing and sequencing behavior for self-control, moral judgment and attention” (Abell) there should be no doubt that this fact and the fact that nearly “1 in 10 children in America have been
Some people say that too much screen time for children is bad for their health. Others argue that it's perfectly fine for children to enjoy some time with the TV. I personally believe that in moderation, TV isn't that bad. In the article, It's Time to Let Go of Screen Fears, it states that kids who watched telvison with parent showed signs of decreased anger and fear. In my own experience, I've seen the positive affects that TV has on children. Although it can be a good thing, if you don't limit your time with the TV it can be harmful.
Statistics show that screen time negatively affects children’s learning abilities and development. “The effects of so much screen time can include speech delays, aggressive behavior and obesity.” (Lavey) Since parents play a role in how much television their kids can watch, they can minimize the chances of their brains not developing correctly. “The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.” (Kids Health) Children do
The purpose of the research article from the scholarly journal Childhood Education (2014) is to discuss the arguments currently surrounding the topic of media, technology, and screen time (MeTS) and its use with young children, and create an international dialogue on what steps should be taken in the future on how to responsibly use MeTS in a way that is productive and developmentally appropriate. The authors first discuss what global issues currently stand referring to MeTS, citing statistics of television, video game, and computer exposure among young children (children younger than 6). It is described that in the United States alone, “83% of children under 6 years old use…two hours with a television and DVD player, 1 hour with video
Screen time is going to happen in a childs life weather it be monitored by the parent or not. I believe that its important for children to be physicaly active as well as mentaly. I somewhat agree that watching tv is not good for children, however if shows are designed to teach children I feel that it could be very benificial for the childs development. I feel that children should be allowed to play outside with proper safety and supervision to encourage real world development, but when they are inside they are most likely to have a screen in front of them. I think because of that fact, we should select content that aids in developing mental health. Such as parents playing video games with their children. I feel that parents playing video games
According to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, “8- to 18-year-olds consume an average of 7 hours and 11 minutes of screen media per day” (“Selected Research on Screen Time and Children”). Screen time is time spent watching TV, playing on the computer, or playing on a phone. Too much screen time can have negative effects on young children (“Selected Research on Screen Time and Children”). Since children are having seven hours of screen time a day when they are supposed to have less than two, this is an epidemic that needs to be put to an end. Children are receiving way more screen time than what they should be and it is negatively affecting their health.
In today's society screen time is vital for our childrens' learning and socialisation with others. Children no longer have the trobules of traveling to different cultures; of areas to explore beliefs. They have the world wide web to guide them and give them weather forcast, economic changes,updates about what is going on in the world. Television gives children history education. On some channels helps teach things that is needed in the kindrgarten. Without lap tops most children have fear of rejection interacting with others and with lap tops they are better in communication with others that they were affraid wouldn't accept them. It is in my great opinion that screen time is vital for children. Some studies show watching too much TV leads
Now of days all the little kids want to do is grab a phone or a tablet . Kids these days are getting an average of 7.5 hours of tv per day. Between 2011 and 2013 , children ages 8 and under doubled their useages of media devices. Younger children should be only allowed to watch 1-2 hours if that .
Nancy Shute from U.S. News and World Report states in her article ‘3 Ways Electronic Media Harm Kids’ Health and 3 Ways They Can Help’ “A dozen studies have correlated TV in the early years with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) later in childhood.” Kids today spend more hours on electronic devices such as computers, phones, and TV than sleeping. Having young children watch certain TV shows posed as a positive effect for the brain. However, with recent studies from China, it shows that no matter the affect having a lot of electronic experience is bad for the body. In “Screen Addiction Is Taking a Toll on Children”, Jane E. Brody argues that, although Internet addiction isn’t considered a clinical diagnoses here, more American youths are plugged out of “live” action for many hours of the day.
Why is society still worried about kids seeing to much television or playing to many games? T.V. has the abilty to sculp young minds and teach children some of the really important aspects of life. Cell phones, game consoles, laptops, and televisions are a booming industry, and will continue to grow.
As children begin their journey into a school setting, they will need good background on subjects to ensure they are not behind; this will come from their home life. As toddlers grow up, their exposure to new knowledge also grows. With the help of educational TV, we are able to begin that exposure early. However, we do not want to overexpose them to TV, but some is acceptable and helpful. Pediatricians recommend parents to “limit the amount of total entertainment screen time to <1 to 2 hours per day” (American Academy of Pediatrics 959). By limiting the amount of screen time and only allowing for educational means of screen time, we are encouraging education and learning at a young age. As children grow older, they interact with new technologies, but with a strong positive educational influence in their younger years, we are encouraging it to continue. The use of educational technology at a young age is dependent on the compliance of parents and with that compliance; we are giving our children a better educational experience and equipping them with better educational technologies to use in their futures.
According to Juana Summers, writer on NPR website, research from UCLA shows that children under eight years of age are spending a minimum of 2 hours a day in front of a screen whether it be a handheld device or a television (Summers). To sum those numbers up into a more direct base that is 14 hours a week, 56 hours a month, and up to 672 hours a year based on the rounded value of 2 hours a day, that’s 28 days a year total that a kid waste on looking at a screen. Thatis incredibly concerning considering the fact that the human brain does not fully develop until the mid-20’s based on gender, health, and genetic background. By allowing children to waste their time looking at screen we are allowing them to potentially harm their brain
As according to a study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation, “8-18 year-olds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes...to using entertainment media across a typical day”. Not only that, but most youths also report to having no rules governing the amount of time spent on entertainment media in the mediums of TV, videogames, and any computer use. Less than 50% actually have rules and regulations on what video games they are allowed to play and what TV shows they can watch. However, I believe that daily media use among children and teens needs to be controlled. If it is not, this could potentially lead to negative ramifications, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, obesity, internet addiction, and negative effects on the brain.