Television can be an invaluable educational tool for young children. It can help teach the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors and animals in fresh and visually exciting ways. It can help teach proper social behavior and manners through fun songs and dances. However, when excessive television viewing begins to replace a child's outside play, games and books, the effects can be harmful.
Kids' TV Time
With the abundance of children's programming out there, you may be tempted to turn on the TV without a second thought. You're not alone -- according to health care researchers at Kaiser Family Foundation, two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch approximately 2 hours daily, children under age 6 also watch about 2 hours and kids in the 8 to 18 year age group take in at least 4 hours of screen time a day.
Potential Effects
All this time in front of the boob tube can have an impact on children's physical and social development. Prolonged screen time, either at a TV or computer, can cause eyestrain, resulting in watery, dry eyes or in more severe cases, headaches, according to MayoCinic.com. Children may behave more aggressively after watching violence, and they may internalize stereotypes.
When to Call Pediatrician
If headaches are an ongoing problem for your child, you need to schedule an appointment with his doctor. Headaches are usually a symptom of another medical problem. A doctor can rule out other diseases and conditions and help you determine the best course of action.
Headache Treatment
Most headaches in children go away with rest and an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen. However, you need to address the source of the headaches as well. If, in speaking with your doctor, you determine that the headaches are linked to TV-related eyestrain, you should limit television, computer and video game time.
Eyestrain can also be reduced by adjusting the room's lighting; a softly lit room creates a less harsh contrast between the room and the television screen. It's possible that your child is experiencing headaches from eyestrain associated with poor vision. Consider taking her to an optometrist to see if she needs glasses.
Proper TV Habits
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under age 2 don't watch any television at all, and it recommends that older children watch only 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming. As a parent, you can help your child develop a healthy attitude toward television viewing by turning it off during meals, setting a good example by limiting your own TV time and previewing the programs your children watch, or even watching them together. By watching the program with your child, you can make it a more interactive experience by asking him questions about what he's seeing, repeating key vocabulary or concepts and discussing the social situations that arise.
Teach your children that television, computer and video games are not the only source of entertainment available. Keep your family room stocked with plenty of age-appropriate books, games and toys and offer to play with and read to your children.
