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

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.

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.

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..

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.