Are TV and video really not advisable for children under the age of 2?

Philippines
November 10, 2009 9:11am CST
I have encountered so many articles regarding this that experts say that TV and videos are not advisable for children under the age of 2, but with my child I let her watch those videos with ABC's and 123's as early as 6 months or so and I think it really helped a lot with her speech development and letter and number recognition. Of course, with regards to speech I also read to her before she goes to sleep. My child started speaking at 1 year and 6 months and at the same time she can recognize letters and numbers already, so I really cannot say if it would be really bad to expose children under 2 to TV and videos. What do you think?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@smilyn (2967)
• United States
10 Nov 09
I too have read articles about the importance of non-exposure of TV to kids below 2 years of age..Here is what I read at bclocalnews.com: Early exposure to television has been linked to increases in aggression, as well as reduced empathy for victims of violence. One hypothesis is that the exposure to televised violence may be teaching children that violence is a common way to solve problems. The more frequently any of us are exposed to violence the more inured we become to it. Another side effect, not surprisingly, is childhood obesity. There is a correlation between the number of hours a child spends watching television and their weight; a fact that makes sense if you consider they aren’t running around burning calories. There is also a delay in language development. One of the unfortunate realities is when the television is on there is less verbal communication between parents and their child. If both child and adult are sitting facing the television, then they are less likely to be facing each other and talking. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children below two years of age not be exposed to television at all. This is a difficult thing to attain. I have also allowed my child to watch rhymes and alphabets videos when he was under 2 and he learned them very early..
@smilyn (2967)
• United States
13 Nov 09
what you are doing is absolutely the right thing..It is better to watch the TV along with the kids, so that we can have a check on them..I'm very happy that my response satisfied you and have been rated the best one..
• Philippines
10 Nov 09
Thanks for the article. I guess we just have to watch what we let our children watch on TV. I usually watch TV with my daughter so I get to see what she watches also. Most of the time she watches those programs that is okay for age to watch. I also give her time to play and exercise outside and other activities like playing with her puzzles, reading books, and scribbling and doodling. Thanks for the post!
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
10 Nov 09
In my home country one channel on Free View television is excellent for young children of under 2 years and I would say it would be fine to a child of up to 5 years old. Yes, programs that teach young children letters and numbers can be very useful indeed. Your daughter seems to be doing very well at a young age. The educational television has helped her. My toddler son likes some television and my baby daughter is beginning to like it too. Still my toddler son prefers picture books and me reading to him than television.
• Philippines
10 Nov 09
I really do think the ABC and number videos has helped her a lot. She's just a little bit over 2 now but she can already communicate with me what she wants and what she doesn't want. There are times too when she would rather have me read to her. What she does at that time is she gets a book herself and gives it to me for me to read to her. Other activities that she likes now is coloring and scribbling. Thanks for the post!
@Buffalo1 (103)
• United States
10 Nov 09
At that age, they should be doing educational toys. If they watch TV, limit the time and only children's programming, such as Sesame Street.
• Philippines
10 Nov 09
My child has a lot of educational toys too like puzzles, books, and electronic stuff. I also give her time to play outside. As for programming, she watches Playhouse Disney Channel, which I think is okay for her to watch. Thanks for the post!
• Philippines
12 Dec 09
For me, with that age, it depends on the videos that they are watching. Of course, they should have to watch videos that are for children like sesame street or Dora and some educational shows for children with that age. But of course, you should limit their time watching TV so that they would also have time playing.