Media Exposure Could Negatively Affect Children

Recent research by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that toddlers' exposure to over three hours of television per day can negatively impact their behavioral development.

The study compiled research from many sources and concluded that children who watch TV for more than three hours per day were more likely to be associated with behavioral and mental deficiencies like antisocial tendencies and a lowered vocabulary.

Also, there seems to be increased amounts of sleep problems and anxiety with children who also happen to watch tv more.

The researchers urge parents to decrease the amount of time their toddlers spent in front of the TV.

The study reaffirms previous claims by the AAP from 1999 that suggest limiting, but not necessarily removing, exposure to media.

"Pediatricians should explain to parents the importance of unstructured, unplugged play in allowing a child's mind to grow, problem-solve, think innovatively, and develop reasoning skills," the study says, in part.

FOX 29's Dr. Mike suggests that educational programs on TV that focus on teaching how to count or identifying objects and colors can be extremely beneficial to children, unlike programs that offer little educational content.

Source: Myfoxphilly