According to a recent CBC News article, pediatricians in B.C. are convinced that children under the age
of two should not be watching TV. Absolutely zero television. Not a couple of hours, not even child-friendly content- pediatricians believe that any and all television for children under two is bad for their development.
The pediatricians cite several studies that identify a link between television viewing at a young age with things like obesity and violent behavior.
The article itself has incited a barrage of moral posturing in the comments section, along with some creative retorts from a few defensive parents. Relying on the “what the hell else am I supposed to do with a crying one-year-old” argument, some parents feel that a little TV exposure can’t be that harmful.
And as long as companies keep producing content specifically designed for young children and marketing it as educational, parents will be able to justify their choice.
While the CBC article is new, the debate surrounding children and television has gone on for years. There are numerous studies that talk about the harmful effects of television on young children. Still, despite the studies and repeated warnings, this issue remains a matter of personal opinion, values and experience.
After all, we are talking about a proposed guideline, not a law. There is no enforcement. As always, the final decision lies with the parents.
Based on the reaction from the article, the decision will not be an easy one to make.
