add

PEDIATRICS Vol. 113 No. 4 April 2004, pp. 708-713

Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children

Objective. Cross-sectional research has suggested that television viewing may be associated with decreased attention spans in children. However, longitudinal data of early television exposure and subsequent attentional problems have been lacking. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that early television exposure (at ages 1 and 3) is associated with attentional problems at age 7.

Methods. We used the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, a representative longitudinal data set. Our main outcome was the hyperactivity subscale of the Behavioral Problems Index determined on all participants at age 7. Children who were >=1.2 standard deviations above the mean were classified as having attentional problems. Our main predictor was hours of television watched daily at ages 1 and 3 years.

Results. Data were available for 1278 children at age 1 and 1345 children at age 3. Ten percent of children had attentional problems at age 7. In a logistic regression model, hours of television viewed per day at both ages 1 and 3 was associated with attentional problems at age 7 (1.09 [1.03–1.15] and 1.09 [1.02–1.16]), respectively.

Conclusions. Early television exposure is associated with attentional problems at age 7. Efforts to limit television viewing in early childhood may be warranted, and additional research is needed.
.
What Parents Can Do About TV

Here are some ways to help keep your child's TV viewing in balance:

* Set limits on the amount of TV your child watches. Be firm. Limit children's TV viewing to an hour or two daily. Before children watch television, they should do their homework and chores, but TV should not be used as a reward. Helping children find things to do instead of watching TV, such as sports, hobbies, or family activities, can make setting limits easier.
* Help your child plan TV viewing in advance. Choose programs from TV listings at the beginning of each week. Keep copies of the family viewing schedule where everyone can see them (by the TV, in her bedroom, or on the refrigerator) as reminders.
* Know what television shows your child watches. Watch TV with your child. When programs show sex, alcohol or drug abuse, or violence, talk about what you see. Help your child understand what he is watching. This is a good time to reinforce your own family values.
* Do not permit TV watching during dinner. Dinner is often the only time that families are able to be together during the day. If the TV set is on at the same time, it will get in the way of talking to each other.
* Do not allow your child to have a TV set in his bedroom. Not only will he tend to watch more TV, but he will probably stay in his room away from other family members. When a child watches TV in his own bedroom, it is harder for parents to guide his program choices. He may get less sleep, causing him to be tired at school the next day.
* Keep books, magazines and board games in the TV room. Visit the library often with your children. Help them select books to read instead of always watching TV.
* Set an example of behavior you wish to instill. If you want your child to read more, that is what you should do. If you would like him to go outdoors for physical activity, make it a part of an enjoyable family exercise program.
* Ask local television stations to schedule educational programs for children. Tell station managers not only what you do not like, but what you enjoy. Good programs often don't get the best ratings, but letters of praise can help keep them on the air. Groups like Action for Children's Television (20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138) are working hard to improve TV programming for children.
* If TV causes arguments or fights, simply unplug it for a while. Children can be creative when TV is not taking up all their time and attention.