The Impact of Media on Children
Today, the lives of many children are intertwined with devices such as TVs, tablets, and smartphones even before they learn how to ride a bicycle. Technology can be part of a healthy childhood, but only as long as this privilege is not abused. We say privilege because, for example, preschool-aged children can learn the alphabet through television, elementary-aged children can use educational games and apps, and teenagers can easily conduct their research via the internet.
However, excessive use of these devices can be bad for the following reasons:
– Children who consistently sit in front of the television for more than 4 hours are at a higher risk of severe obesity.
– Kids who watch violent behaviors on TV are more likely to exhibit violent behavior and, more probably, view the world as a scary place.
– Teenagers who play violent video games are more likely to become aggressive and abusive.
– Television characters, and especially video game characters, often portray high-risk behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol, and they also reinforce a sense of racism or gender discrimination.
For this reason, it is essential for parents to set limits for their children regarding screen time and technology use, and not allow their kids to sit in front of monitors excessively.
Recommendation:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers the following recommendations to parents:
1. Infants and children up to 18 months of age: Should not be exposed to any screens except for video chatting with family and friends.
2. Children from 18 to 24 months of age: It is okay if they have limited screen time in the presence of their parents or caregiver.
3. Preschoolers: Should not have more than one hour a day of watching educational programs, and it is better for this viewing to be accompanied by their father, mother, or caregiver to help the child gain a better understanding of what they are seeing.
4. Children and teenagers from 5 to 18 years of age: Parents must establish consistent limits on the number of hours their children spend watching screens in this age group. These limits should include television, social media, and video games. Media should under no circumstances replace adequate sleep and physical activity.
Watching Violence
By the time an American child reaches 18 years of age, they have witnessed an average of two hundred thousand violent scenes on television. Many of these violent behaviors are also committed by the “hero and positive role model” in television and computer works; the very same people that our children admire. You ask how that is possible? In fact, in computer games, the hero of the story is often the one who wins by killing and fighting enemies. Just like that.
This exact issue causes children to become confused in understanding and distinguishing between right and wrong. Younger kids get frightened upon seeing violent and scary images. Nor can we make them feel better by simply saying “these images are not real” because young children cannot differentiate between their imagination and reality.
And this is how behavioral problems, night terrors, and sleep-related issues manifest in them.
Watching High-Risk Behaviors
Some movies and video games are full of scenes that portray high-risk behaviors such as drinking alcohol, substance abuse, smoking, and sexual relations in a very appealing and attractive way. Research shows that teenagers who watch such scenes, and especially pornographic movies, are more likely to engage in early sexual relations with someone other than their spouse compared to their peers who do not watch these movies.
The Connection Between Media and Obesity
Health professionals link excessive television watching and other media works to obesity—a prominent and prevalent problem nowadays. While watching and staring at the screen, children become inactive and tend to consume snacks. On the other hand, they are bombarded daily with television advertisements that encourage them to eat unhealthy foods. Undoubtedly, reducing the number of hours children spend watching screens and encouraging them to play outdoor games instead of video games will greatly help prevent this problem.
Advertisements
Most children under the age of 8 do not know that advertisements are solely for selling products. Kids aged 6 or younger do not know the difference between a television program and an ad at all; especially if their favorite character is endorsing a particular product. Although eliminating media from children’s lives is an impossible task, you can reduce potential negative effects by turning off the TV at specific times or limiting your child’s viewing time.
And Finally….
1. Teach your child to be a smart consumer:
To do this, ask your child the following questions:
– What do you like about this program (this product)?
– Do you think it is as good as it looks in the ad?
– Do you think this product is healthy?
2. Limit ad viewing for your child:
– For example, mute the television during commercial breaks and turn the volume back up when your favorite series or program starts.
– Choose programs and networks that use fewer advertisements.
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