It’s Official: Television is Bad For Your Health
February 21st, 2007 by Stephen
The BBC reports on a new publication by Dr Aric Sigman, which indicates that watching television is bad for children – and that the damage can set in by the age of three!
He has carried out desk research on a number of studies that demonstrate links between viewing television and obesity, short sightedness, fatigue and hormonal changes. His recommendation is that viewing should be limited, and that todlers should not view the television at all.
Some will find the prescription extreme, but when interviewed, Sigman pointed out that when we go out and buy a new TV, we do not throw the old one away. Instead we move them into other rooms, and that significant numbers of toddlers have TVs in their bedrooms. I did not quite catch his figure but, a quick web search reveals that 26% of US children under the age of two have a TV in their bedroom. I expect the figure is similar in the UK.
26% of children under the age of two?
One rule we hope to always employ is to keep our televisions in communal areas in the house. The idea being that watching television be something we do together as a family. These things are not child minders for when you cannot be bothered to play with your children.
We also try to keep the programmes educational, but we have not come to the point of banning the box yet. But this research is food for thought.
Do you know how much television your children watch? And do you watch it with them?
Well, I’m glad they have finally made it official! lol Sorry to say it probably won’t change much! Thankfully we don’t get t.v. reception and haven’t for 8 years! So, no t.v. for my toddler. We do rent movies when there is something good to watch…kind of rare, but then we do it as a family, usually.
The other day at the gym I was watching one of the t.v.’s that was on. It was the morning program, showing the new toys out for children. Many of them showed big screens, and then the child interacted on a bike, etc. instead of a joy stick. I thought, ‘how sad that we still have to have a screen to get the child’s attention, rather then the child going outside to run around and play or ride a bike!’ BTW, I usually watch the food network when I’m at the gym…I don’t know what that does for working out, probably cancels it all! lol
Love the picture here at your blog, Stephen! Deb
Hi Deb,
Thanks for stopping by. I think you are very lucky to get no TV signal! It means you can exercise control whilst having a good excuse for having no live TV. Also, by renting films you get to miss all the advertising!
I can’t take any credit for the top picture on my blog, unfortunately. I downloaded it with the theme. But I like it too!