Tiny tots watching too much television

May 9 2007

Regardless of the advice dished out by experts on how much exposure to television young children should be subjected to, new research suggests that parents appear to be ignoring that advice.

In the first study to provide comprehensive information regarding the extent of media use among young children in the United States, it has been found that some children younger than two have a television in their bedroom.

Researchers at the University of Texas in Austin say parents are not heeding expert guidelines that urge a ban on TV watching for the very youngest children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends that children 2 and under watch no TV at all.

The new study reveals that on a typical day, only 37 percent of children between zero and 2 years old watch no television, and of the one in five under 2 years of age with a TV in their bedroom, more than half could turn on the set for themselves.

Study author, Elizabeth Vandewater, an associate director of the population research center and an associate professor of human development and family sciences at the University, says she understands where the AAP is coming from as the neurological implications of screen time in young children are unknown.

Vandewater does however admit that she sees the guidelines as somewhat unrealistic and says in some respects the study's findings were not all bad.

Vandewater found that just over half of 3 to 4-year-olds and 70 percent of 5 and 6-year-olds watched no more than the recommended limit of two hours daily.

In the 3 to 6 age group televisions in the bedroom were more common, with about one-third having a set in the bedroom.

The most common reason given was that it frees up other televisions in the house so that other family members can watch their own shows.

The majority of children aged 3 to 6 fell within the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, but 70% of 0- to 2-year-olds did not.

The researchers say children today are growing up in a media-saturated environment with almost universal access to television and new media is also being experienced by young children with 27% of 5 to 6-year-olds using a computer, for 50 minutes on average, on a typical day.

In order to gather facts and figures on the actual viewing habits of young children, Vandewater and her colleagues surveyed 1,051 parents of young children during 2005.

They asked specific questions about media use, such as whether or not there was a TV in the bedroom, and they also asked about other activities, such as reading and playing outdoors, to see if TV use was replacing other pursuits.

The study found on an average day that three-quarters of children watched at least some television, and about one-third watched videos or DVDs.

The average viewing time was one hour and 20 minutes, which falls within the AAP guideline of no more than one to two hours for children over 3.

The researchers found that television did not appear to displace other activities, such as reading or outdoor play.

Vandewater does say that in previous research she has found that TV may replace time spent interacting with parents.

Vandewater says there is a growing body of research indicating that that television in the bedroom is related to many negative outcomes and she urges parents not to put a TV in a child's bedroom.

Vandewater says media is a treat and like any other treat, is best in moderation.

The findings were published in the May issue of Pediatrics.