Medical Encyclopedia

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Television watching

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

TV watching
TV watching

Information    Return to top

Watching television is an experience shared by the vast majority of children and adults. It is convenient, inexpensive, available, and attractive. Television can be enormously entertaining for children and can teach them some things, but too frequently it is used as a substitute for other activities.

Studies show that many children watch more televisionthan the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends. The group recommends no TV for children under 2, less than 2 hours per day for older children.

Excessive television viewing may cause some of the following problems:

Below are some tips for establishing appropriate television viewing by your children:

References    Return to top

Committee on Public Education. Children, Adolescents, and Television. Pediatrics. 2001 107: 423-426.

Thakkar RR, Garrison MM, and Christakis DA. A Systematic Review for the Effects of Television Viewing by Infants and Preschoolers. Pediatrics. 2006; 118(5): 2025 – 2031.

Johnson JG, Cohen P, Kasen S, Brook JS. Extensive Television Viewing and the Development of Attention and Learning Difficulties During Adolescence. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007; 161(5): 480 - 486.

Update Date: 5/8/2008

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.