The Risks of Childhood Television Watching – It Can Cause Serious Problems

The development of children is significantly influenced by the effects they experience in their early years. Digital media, especially television, plays a major role in the lives of young people, and excessive television watching can cause numerous problems in children’s behavior and development. Research in recent years has shown that the time spent in front of screens not only serves to entertain children but also has serious impacts on their physical and mental health.

Parents should consciously pay attention to how much time their children spend in front of the television and what content they consume. Childhood television viewing is not just about entertainment; it also affects the development of abilities such as attention, language skills, and social interactions. Numerous problems have been identified in research that can arise from excessive television watching, and these should be examined closely.

Short-term effects of television on children

Television watching significantly influences children’s sleep and attention. Research examining sleeping habits shows that a sedentary lifestyle, which includes watching television, directly contributes to difficulties in children’s falling asleep. According to an international study, the time spent falling asleep increases significantly among preschoolers who spend a lot of time engaged in inactive, sedentary activities like watching television during the day. Thus, the lack of physical activity affects the quality of sleep not only for adults but also for children.

Attention disorders are also a common problem following excessive television watching. In a large-scale study, researchers compared the concentration abilities of children who spent different amounts of time in front of screens. The results showed that the likelihood of attention disorders dramatically increased among children who watched television for extended periods, which can cause problems in later life stages.

The continuous background noise of television is also harmful to speech development. Research indicates that children growing up in noisy environments often hear fewer words from adults, which can hinder their language development. Observations suggest that children who regularly watch television may have a poorer vocabulary, which can affect their academic performance in the long run.

The risk of childhood obesity also increases as the duration of television watching grows. Research shows that time spent in front of the television is directly related to a lack of physically active lifestyle, which can contribute to obesity. Children who have their own television in their room are more likely to snack frequently and engage in a sedentary lifestyle, which further exacerbates the obesity problem.

Long-term effects on regularly watching children

Television viewing experienced during childhood does not only cause short-term problems but can also have serious consequences in adulthood. Numerous studies indicate that excessive television watching can lead to antisocial behavior. Children who regularly spend several hours in front of screens are more likely to exhibit behavioral problems that can lead to criminal or aggressive tendencies in adulthood.

Research suggests that the connection between childhood television viewing and adult antisocial behavior cannot solely be explained by parental upbringing practices or socioeconomic status; excessive screen use independently becomes a risk factor. Moreover, children who have their own televisions often perform worse in school and are more prone to various health issues, such as overweight or sleep disorders.

The quality of television viewing is also an important aspect. Children are concerned not only with the quantity but also with the quality of the content they watch. Those children who watch aggressive or negative content are more likely to become antisocial adults. The values conveyed by advertisements and media continually shape children’s worldview and behavior.

Recommendations for reducing screen time

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is advisable to regulate the time spent in front of screens. For children under two years old, it is not recommended to expose them to screens at all. Between the ages of two and four, a maximum of one hour per day is suggested, while from four years old, a maximum of two hours per day is recommended. These recommendations apply not only to television but also to computer games and internet content.

Parents play an important role in setting an example for their children. Watching television together provides an opportunity for parents to control what their children watch and discuss what they see. Additionally, it is worthwhile to organize joint activities, such as playing outside or engaging in sports, to encourage children to lead a more active lifestyle.

It is essential for parents to pay attention not only to their children’s screen time but also to their own. For instance, during family meals, it is better to turn off the television so that family members can focus on each other and spend valuable time together.

In summary, excessive television watching has numerous negative effects on children’s development, and it is the parents’ responsibility to consciously manage their children’s screen use. To maintain the right balance, it is advisable to incorporate active activities into children’s lives and pay attention to the quality of the content they watch.