Too much TV psychologically hurts Children. Says Study.

By: Don Caldwell

A technology that nearly every American household possesses, and which has become so much a part of our daily lives may be harming your children (well I sure as heck think so..)


Some excerpts (Italicized):


The study, published in the US journal Pediatrics, found that kids who spend hours each day in front of the TV or games console have more psychological difficulties like problems relating to peers, emotional issues, hyperactivity or conduct challenges, than kids who don't.


And contrary to what earlier studies have indicated, the negative impact of screen time was not remedied by increasing a child's physical activity levels, says the study conducted by researchers from the University of Bristol in Britain.


The researchers found that children who spent two hours or more a day watching television or playing on a computer were more likely to get high scores on the questionnaire, indicating they had more psychological difficulties than kids who did not spend a lot of time in front of a screen.


Even children who were physically active but spent more than two hours a day in front of a screen were at increased risk of psychological difficulties, indicating that screen time might be the chief culprit.


Earlier studies have found that while more time spent in front of a screen led to lower well-being, physical activity improved one's state of mind. That led researchers to believe that upping physical activity levels could counteract the negative impact of watching TV or playing on the computer.
And many parents and children think that spending a lot of time on the computer or in front of the television is OK if it's part of a "balanced lifestyle", the study in Pediatrics says.


How many have turned to the television to replace parenting? Is it easier to drop your kids off (television, day care, babysitter, etc.) , than to give the time and energy required to be a parent? Can one truly say that the time sent otherwise, is better than time spent with the ones who love them? Has the television given parents the excuse to abandon their children a little bit everyday? Would relationships with children be better if there was no such thing as television? Would you get rid of yours? Do you love your children enough to do that?

(ORIGINAL LINK) Too much TV psychologically harms kids: study - Yahoo! News