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So concerned is the American Academy of Pediatrics that it is recommending a complete ban on television for children under two years of age. This is confirmed in an amusingly entitled paper, published by two Harvard academics, called Say No to Teletubbies: "Television viewing is exactly the opposite of what toddlers need for their development …[and] should be postponed for as long as possible."
TV adversely affects our children's behaviour and brain development, slows the metabolism, hinders educational progress, increases the likelihood of ADHD and is a major cause of depression. It is no wonder, therefore, that increasing numbers of professionals working with children are talking about decreasing attention spans and poor (even violent) behaviour.
Children these days spend 70 per cent less time being physically active than we did as children. The culprits for this inactivity include watching TV and playing computer and video games.
children only spend on average three hours and 30 minutes per week on active pursuits, whereas their parents spent at least 11 hours and 35 minutes. Musical and academic activities also suffer: children now only spend 75 minutes per week engaging in such pursuits, as opposed to the three hours spent by their parents.
Dr Sigman argues that it's not the content of the programmes that's to blame but the activity of watching TV.
Watching TV distorts the wiring in the brain," he explains. "When children are exposed to anything new and interesting, the brain releases a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is commonly associated with the 'pleasure system' of the brain and provides feelings of enjoyment and encouragement to continue doing what is releasing the dopamine. "Television represents the world in a much richer way than real life," explains Dr Sigman, "It is, in effect, a visual flavour enhancer, giving kids unnatural levels of sensory stimulation for very little participation." Why read a book, go for a walk, draw a picture if the rewards are fewer in comparison? If telly can give you so much pleasure, then surely there is no need to look elsewhere for contentment?
"The reality is, no matter how educational in content our programmes are, television cannot develop the brain as effectively as other activities," stresses Dr Sigman. "Watching people on the screen will not be as mentally stimulating as talking to another person face to face. And watching a factual programme will not develop the brain as much as looking at a book."
-----Original Message-----
From: happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of George Ortega
Sent: 16 December 2005 00:11
To: happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [happinessgroup] UK happiness show for childrenThe research on TV being bad for toddlers does not take into account programs specifically designed to help toddlers understand happiness (since these programs have not yet aired). Given all of the erroneous information children will receive regarding happiness (from parents, school, the media, etc.) throughout the rest of their lives, any harm caused by toddlers watching programs about happiness would probably be far outweighed by the benefit gained in raising a generation of children who will not as likely fall prey to the same mistakes their parents and grandparents made with respect to seeking happiness.Happiness,
George----- Original Message -----From: Malcolm MacgregorSent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 5:49 PMSubject: RE: [happinessgroup] UK happiness show for childrenIf you read the reference I gave you, you will see that the scientists there make a very good case for ANY television beingbad for toddlers. It doesn't matter if its a programme on happiness. "The medium is the problem", to paraphrase a famousslogan.-----Original Message-----
From: happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of George Ortega
Sent: 15 December 2005 19:01
To: happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [happinessgroup] UK happiness show for childrenI appreciate the referral, however that article is not about Teletubbies per se; it is about toddlers watching TV in general. I routinely advocate against watching TV (especially news and violence) on my own program, however I also understand that for something as little understood as happiness, TV can be a very effective vehicle for education. We're not going to change viewer habits overnight; as long as children are still watching TV, its a step in the right direction that they watch programs genuinely designed to help them become happier.Happiness,
George----- Original Message -----From: Malcolm MacgregorSent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:03 AMSubject: RE: [happinessgroup] UK happiness show for childrenHappiness? Or adverse behaviour, warped brains, slowed metabolism, educational hindrance, increasedADHD, and depression?This programme is made by the same people who make teletubbies. See this for what top Brit &Harvard psychologists think about teletubbies:-----Original Message-----
From: happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:happinessgroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of George Ortega
Sent: 14 December 2005 18:42
To: a HappinessGroup
Subject: [happinessgroup] UK happiness show for childrenHi Everyone,I thought you might appreciate knowing that happiness is making its way to children's television.Happiness,
George
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