How much does watching TV affect babies and toddlers?

Catdancer · 06-18-2009, 09:20 AM

My 3 month old loves to watch the images on TV. Especially cartoons like SpongeBob and the Fairly Odd Parents. My bf watches the Flintstones (the old 70's ones) with him alot.

It makes me wonder how much they take in. I have to admit that I was watching My Bloody Valentine in 3D and I was feeding him at the same time. I didnt realize it but my son was glued to the TV screen watching the horror movie! OOPS! I dont know if that was good or bad. Can it cause them to have bad dreams when they are infants? I wonder if it has any bad lasting affects on them.

retired1 · 06-18-2009, 09:25 AM

I'm not sure if it affects them at an early age like that, but I did change my viewing habits as soon as my first daughter was born. It's tough to do at first, but you get the hang of it after a while.

**avman** · 06-18-2009, 09:49 AM

I think a little bit of it is just fine. But tv doesn't interact like real life does. I wouldn't substitute tv for a large amount of playtime with human beings.

And I would definitely avoid the horror movies!! Babies soak up things like sponges.

Catdancer · 06-18-2009, 09:55 AM

Oh, we dont just plunk him down and ignore him! lol But we will put him in his swing or bouncer and we'll all watch TV and play with him or rock him at the same time. He is content sitting by himself for about 15 to 20 minutes. After that he gets antsy and wants to know where everyone is!

I was just wondering if shows or movies with violence in them would have an affect on him. We were at his aunt's house (she baby sits at least 2 times a week for us) and they were watching ultimate fighter and the baby was in his bouncer seat and he was glued to the TV. Kicking and waving his little fists.

ramonymone · 06-18-2009, 09:58 AM

My daughter and I watch youtube videos. Her favorites are haha baby, go away big green monster, and MahnaMahna.

retired1 · 06-18-2009, 09:59 AM

From The American Association of Pediatrics:

Quote:

“Children of all ages are constantly learning new things. The first 2 years of life are especially important in the growth and development of your child's brain. During this time, children need good, positive interaction with other children and adults. Too much television can negatively affect early brain development. This is especially true at younger ages, when learning to talk and play with others is so important.

Until more research is done about the effects of TV on very young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend television for children age 2 or younger. For older children, the Academy recommends no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of educational, nonviolent programs. “

Link [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

Dating Coach · 06-18-2009, 10:04 AM

As above there have been studies to show that television and even Baby Einstein adversely effect a child's development. Babies learn SO MUCH MORE by interacting with people and the world. They are losing that valuable time when they are plugged in front of the TV.

jenny_mcs · 06-18-2009, 10:20 AM

Yeah, my gf's that recently had kids are pretty adamant about no screen time before age 2. There's been lots of studies that show it's bad for development.

Lecturer · 06-18-2009, 10:21 AM

The most recent study I've read on the subject found that TV did not positively, nor negatively affect the brain development infants. I'm not sure on toddlers.. but basically an infant (under 1 year) might be attracted to the flashing colours, but they aren't going to be made stupid, nor made into a genious. Of course, if you want to get analytical, then time watching TV is time not doing other things which could positively affect the child, but that's getting into semantics.

One thing I've noticed is that my 11 month old has never had interest to "watch" tv, but has LOVED tv show credits since he was about 6 months old. Perhaps its the scrolling animation + black/white (infants like contrast of black/white)... and he has always loved music (since he was new born) so that is a contributer too. But its hilarious.. he'll stop whatever it is he's doing - right in the middle of playing - when he hears music from a familiar tv show credits sequence, and just stares mesmorized at the TV. And heaven forbid you get IN THE WAY.. he must see that rolling text or there will be hell to pay.

under_my_amberella · 06-18-2009, 10:56 AM

Violence on tv definitely affects them. If my daughter sees someone get hurt on tv, she'll become upset. If she sees people showing affection, she'll come over and hug us. She did this when she was only a few months old.

Also, I've read that television is overstimulating to babies. Thus, they should only watch a few minutes per day. Movies made for babies are best, as they have simple, calm pictures.

06-18-2009, 09:20 AM	#1
Catdancer Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,360	How much does watching TV affect babies and toddlers? My 3 month old loves to watch the images on TV. Especially cartoons like SpongeBob and the Fairly Odd Parents. My bf watches the Flintstones (the old 70's ones) with him alot. It makes me wonder how much they take in. I have to admit that I was watching My Bloody Valentine in 3D and I was feeding him at the same time. I didnt realize it but my son was glued to the TV screen watching the horror movie! OOPS! I dont know if that was good or bad. Can it cause them to have bad dreams when they are infants? I wonder if it has any bad lasting affects on them.

06-18-2009, 09:25 AM	#2
retired1 Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Where my hat is Gender: Male Age: 49 Posts: 582	I'm not sure if it affects them at an early age like that, but I did change my viewing habits as soon as my first daughter was born. It's tough to do at first, but you get the hang of it after a while. __________________ I drank WHAT?!!! -- Socrates

06-18-2009, 09:49 AM	#3
avman Offline Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Minnesota Gender: Male Age: 42 Posts: 6,524	I think a little bit of it is just fine. But tv doesn't interact like real life does. I wouldn't substitute tv for a large amount of playtime with human beings. And I would definitely avoid the horror movies!! Babies soak up things like sponges. __________________ "Children are a wonderful gift . . . They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are." Desmond Tutu

06-18-2009, 10:04 AM	#7
Dating Coach Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Gender: Male Age: 29 Posts: 4,429	As above there have been studies to show that television and even Baby Einstein adversely effect a child's development. Babies learn SO MUCH MORE by interacting with people and the world. They are losing that valuable time when they are plugged in front of the TV. __________________ Yes, I changed my UserName from DiggityDogg to Dating Coach. :) Follow this link for my article; A Man's Ultimate Guide for Successful Dating: http://www.enotalone.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210147 To hear my fiancée sing check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/Airicx

06-18-2009, 09:55 AM	#4
Catdancer Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,360	Oh, we dont just plunk him down and ignore him! lol But we will put him in his swing or bouncer and we'll all watch TV and play with him or rock him at the same time. He is content sitting by himself for about 15 to 20 minutes. After that he gets antsy and wants to know where everyone is! I was just wondering if shows or movies with violence in them would have an affect on him. We were at his aunt's house (she baby sits at least 2 times a week for us) and they were watching ultimate fighter and the baby was in his bouncer seat and he was glued to the TV. Kicking and waving his little fists.

06-18-2009, 09:58 AM	#5
ramonymone Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Gender: Male Age: 26 Posts: 136	My daughter and I watch youtube videos. Her favorites are haha baby, go away big green monster, and MahnaMahna.

06-18-2009, 10:20 AM	#8
jenny_mcs Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,618	Yeah, my gf's that recently had kids are pretty adamant about no screen time before age 2. There's been lots of studies that show it's bad for development.

06-18-2009, 10:21 AM	#9
Lecturer Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Gender: Male Age: 27 Posts: 441	The most recent study I've read on the subject found that TV did not positively, nor negatively affect the brain development infants. I'm not sure on toddlers.. but basically an infant (under 1 year) might be attracted to the flashing colours, but they aren't going to be made stupid, nor made into a genious. Of course, if you want to get analytical, then time watching TV is time not doing other things which could positively affect the child, but that's getting into semantics. One thing I've noticed is that my 11 month old has never had interest to "watch" tv, but has LOVED tv show credits since he was about 6 months old. Perhaps its the scrolling animation + black/white (infants like contrast of black/white)... and he has always loved music (since he was new born) so that is a contributer too. But its hilarious.. he'll stop whatever it is he's doing - right in the middle of playing - when he hears music from a familiar tv show credits sequence, and just stares mesmorized at the TV. And heaven forbid you get IN THE WAY.. he must see that rolling text or there will be hell to pay.

06-18-2009, 10:56 AM	#10
under_my_amberella Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 5,036	Violence on tv definitely affects them. If my daughter sees someone get hurt on tv, she'll become upset. If she sees people showing affection, she'll come over and hug us. She did this when she was only a few months old. Also, I've read that television is overstimulating to babies. Thus, they should only watch a few minutes per day. Movies made for babies are best, as they have simple, calm pictures.