Television Report

Television was dubbed a “vast wasteland” nearly forty years ago by one critic. Now the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is weighing in with their opinion. AAP officials recently released statements that say TV can have long term effects on children such as weight problems and lack of creativity.

Nancy Beyer has pulled the cable at home and bans all TV on weekends for her twelve year old daughter. “It makes me use my imagination more than lots of kids do,” says daughter Jessica. Although Jessica’s mother hopes that the TV ban will nudge her daughter to become more sociable, Jessica admits at times the opposite is true. She states feeling excluded at school when other kids are discussing what shows were on and she has to remind them that “we don’t have cable“.

Some experts say that by dismissing TV parents may miss some key teaching opportunities with their kids. Dr. Vincent Ho, psychiatrist, says that parents should not let the TV become a passive experience, but use it to stimulate discussion. He suggests that even bad TV can be a good learning tool and that there are many opportunities to discuss what is going on. It’s a chance to see if they know what is reality and can actually happen, as well as recognize things that are potentially dangerous.

TV Ratings & V-Chips

A few years ago the practice of using ratings for television shows was established. Many programs that air on major networks during prime time hours display icons that are supposed to help with gauging a program’s appropriateness for viewing.

The icons represent categories for types of viewers and serve as a guide to content. For example, TV-MA suggests “mature audiences”, and L stands for “crude language”. Parents can use these ratings in conjunction with V-chips, devices installed in TVs to block programs, to help monitor their child’s viewing habits.

Soon the law will require that all new TV sets come with a V-chip pre-installed.

What Parents Should Know

In the American Academy of Pediatrics recent report on television viewing among kids three major determinations were made. The following is an overview of some of their recommendations.

1) Children under two years old should not watch television. Children under two need to receive stimuli from interaction with older people for proper brain development.

2) Older children should not have television sets in their bedrooms. By keeping televisions in common areas of the house parents are better able to monitor a child’s viewing.

3) Pediatricians should have parents fill out “media history” forms along with medical history information. Spending too much time in front of the television (video games, computers, etc.), can lead to physical health issues such as obesity. And in younger kids may contribute to the lack of development in cognitive skills. (Note: The full report appears in the August 2000 issue of Pediatrics magazine)