An extensive study titled “The Media Family: Electronic Media in the Lives of Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers and Their Parents,” by the Kaiser Family Foundation, looks at television use among families with children six months to six years old. Among the findings:
- One third of children under six have a TV in their bedrooms. This rises to 43% among four- to six-year-olds. Those who have a TV in their rooms watch more frequently and for more time than those who don’t.
- More children read books (83%) each day than watched TV (75%). TV time was longer, however, averaging 59 minutes, vs. 40 minutes of reading.
- Most parents whose kids watched TV were watching with them.
- Over one third of children under two could turn on the TV by themselves. Eighty-three percent of two- to three-year olds could do so.
- A large majority (85%) of parents whose kids watch TV say they have rules about what shows their kids can watch.
The study also found that many parents see television as an important part of parenting, citing both its educational value and its ability to help them get a break now and then. Most children watch TV, however, earlier and more often than recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Is the AAP behind these media-centric times, or are parents ignoring its advice for the sake of a few free minutes? Perhaps a little of both. Maybe there will be a convergence of views in the future. It’s good to see, though, that most parents participate in and set rules about their children’s TV watching.
The study has a lot more information, not only on television, but also on the use of computers and other media. There are also some disturbing, if not surprising, conclusions about TV viewing and socioeconomic status. (Children from poorer families tend to watch more.) Take a look at the report, if you’re interested in the interplay among media, our children, and our society.