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SALT LAKE CITY -- You've heard about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Now a study details the dangers of secondhand TV.
USA Today reports a growing number of researchers are warning about the dangers of watching TV with very young children nearby. Studies suggest that even casual exposure to TV can hurt their language development and parent-child interactions.
A study done in 2008 showed background TV reduced the length of time children played, and it caused kids to lose focus on playing.
Also, TV makes it harder for kids and parents to interact, according to the study. Researchers say interaction is essential for children to improve the working vocabulary they'll need with peers and in school.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines now includes a warning about secondhand TV for kids under the age of 2.
Source: USA Today
An author and researcher tells USA Today young children learn a lot more from face-to-face interaction because while watching TV, the kids don't get any cues of understanding from the person on television.
Pediatrician and lead author on the recommendations, Ari Brown, recommends families turn off the TV when nobody is watching, and wait until very young kids are in bed before watching television.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 90 percent of parents who participated in a recent study said their children under age 2 watch some form of electronic media. On average, children that age watch televised programs one to two hours per day. By age 3, almost one third of children have a television in their bedroom.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
