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TV/Electronic Media for Children

TV / Electronic Media and Screen Time for Children?
Most kids plug into the world of television long before they enter school. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF):
  • two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a screen an average of 2 hours a day
  • kids under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day, primarily TV and videos or DVDs
  • kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games
The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development. 
TV watching can be interesting and entertaining - try to limit it to Public TV (PBS or WETA), rent a video.  Read more about the dangers of commercial TV - click here.