Survey: Many Babies Watch TV

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 years watch no television at all and that older children watch only 1 to 2 hours per day. But children in the United States are watching an average of 4 hours of TV each day. And they're starting at a very young age.

An article published earlier this year in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine surveyed parents of children under age 2. Researchers asked about the children's TV-watching habits. They found that about 40% of children are already regularly watching TV, DVDs, or videos by the time they are 3 months old. The rate more than doubles, to 90%, by a child's second birthday.

Half of the children were being exposed to these types of media on a regular basis by age 9 months. They watched an average of 1 hour each day.

Parents gave education, entertainment, and babysitting as the major reasons for exposing their children to these types of media. Parents also reported watching with their children more than half the time.

It is important to note what kinds of things these children are watching. Roughly half of the time was spent viewing shows that parents felt to be educational. The remaining half was split among children's non-educational content, baby DVDs or videos, and grown-up TV.

Older siblings may play an important role in which programs infants watch and in helping infants handle information. However, most siblings like to watch entertainment shows rather than educational ones.

What should parents do?

The first two years of life are such an important time, so do things with your baby that are better for brain development than TV. Play with them. Sing, talk, and read to them. Keep in mind that moderation is the name of the game.

You don't have to completely eliminate TV. But try to minimize the amount of time it is watched. For children over 2, limit media time to 2 hours total per day. This includes TV, videos, computers and electronic games. Children often imitate what they see on television, so it is important to watch with your children to filter out or explain negative messages.

Be careful what you watch when young children are in the room. Do not forget that even cartoons thought to be okay for young children may contain acts of violence. They also may suggest tobacco and alcohol use.

You can best help your children develop positive viewing habits in the following ways:

·         Avoid television or video watching for children younger than age 2.

·         Make sure any television show or movie is appropriate for your child. If possible, first carefully watch it yourself.

·         Plan what your child watches. Choose programs on public television or children's videos, which are free from commercials. Consider music videos for younger children, who enjoy singing and dancing.

·         Limit your child's exposure to all media that have violence, adult language, and adult themes, such as sex, and alcohol, tobacco, or drug use.

·         Watch programs with your children. Discuss them together, talking about issues raised by what they see. Do not forget to look closely at the advertisements, too.

·         Keep TVs out of your children's bedrooms.

·         Set a good example by limiting your own TV. Kids often want to do what their parents do.

·         Turn off the TV when you are not watching it. Record programs that contain adult content and watch them after your children are asleep.

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