AAP Presents Statements Recommending to Keep Kids Off of Media
October 26th, 2009 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Headline
Citing the idea that children exposed to an excess of media violence may interpret violent acts and thoughts as being acceptable, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently delivered two reports calling for greater measures to control media intake. The group has noted that today’s children spend an average of over six hours each day taking in media, from televisions as well as the internet and other mediums. Hoping to improve mental health on a national scale, the statements advise against allowing children under the age of two to be exposed to media, and suggests strictly limiting the time allotted to adolescents for watching TV, browsing online, or playing video games.
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10 comments so far
This is extremely true… I have seen it with my own boys and also, an earlier study that I read somewhere said that youngsters who enjoy racing games are actually aggressive drivers in real life as well!
Kids are not matured enough to understand the difference between stuff happening on-screen and real life. If they see something on-screen, they might think the same is possible and even acceptable in the real world too, thereby often getting themselves into trouble.
Six hours a day? Good lord! If ever there was a case for having year round school then this would be it. I know that there can be good things to discover online but what ever happened to plain old fashioned fun and games outside?
The ratings for motion-pictures are not present for no reason. I think it is the responsibility of the parents to beware of what media their kids are exposed to.
Simple things like keeping the computer in a common-area where everybody can view it at any time will deter kids from accessing improper content.
I don’t quite agree. Let the kids enjoy media, but only monitored content is what I’d say… There are many educational programs,games and software available out there to help kids. These kind of media in fact do a lot of good to the kids.
I totally agree with Paul. There are good viewing options and bad options out there for our kids- it is up to us as parents to take control of what our kids have access to on a daily basis and be the ones who set the standards for what they can and cannot see. I really do not think that this is too much to ask of anyone who strives to be a good parent. I think that people run into trouble when these become the only interests of their children and parents allow it to take over.
Anything done in moderation is fine but in excess is just not as good…and this hold good for exposure to media as well.
Turn off the TV and read to your kids. What a novel concept.
I used to find it so difficult to get my baby to eat meals. It used to be easier feeding the child with the tv on. I am paying the price for all that now. My kid is 5 and spends close to 8 hours a day between tv,online games and mobile games. All methods of disciplining seem useless and I dont know what to do.
We dont have a tv at home and my neighbours think we are freaks. I am not the mom that is yelling constantly or the one eating lonely dinners in my neighbourhood.