Media Bombardment Linked to Ill Effects During Childhood?

An interesting article, located at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/01/AR2008120102920.html?nav=rss_education, details results of a massive study conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Health and Yale University.  Together, researchers from these two groups sifted through nearly 30 years of research that looked at the effects media has on young children.  In all, approximately 170 different studies were analyzed by these groups. Interestingly, many of these studies pointed to the same results.  Roughly 80 percent of the studies indicated that a link existed between negative health outcomes and the number of media hours a child is exposed to.  These studies indicated a strong correlation between media hours and childhood obesity, tobacco use, and early sexual behavior.  In more recent studies, it is indicated that the average child spend about 45 hours per week with the television, movies, internet, cellphones, and video games.  The study presents strong evidence in support of a correlation between media exposure and drug use, alcohol use, and low academic achievement. 

As I’ve been working in a school this semester, I’ve really began to wonder why there is such an increase in inappropriate behavior in younger children, which is partly why I found this study fascinating.  I mean, I’ve heard the argument time and again about television influencing people in ways, but never really got into the numbers.  This study also indicated that children spend about 17 hours with their parents per week and about 30 hours in school.  So, much of what they’re learning is from various media outlets.  I think this does make sense as it pertains to negative behaviors in certain regards.  As far as obesity, it’s a common sense link.  The more inactive a child is, the more prone they are to being overweight. But, when it comes to things like drug and alcohol abuse, I was pretty skeptical about it before. In looking at the numbers though, it does make some sort of sense.  Children learn from their environment.  While they do spend many hours in school, teachers are not assuming parental roles, as they shouldn’t, and they aren’t really spending much time with their parents.  So, much of what they’re learning is from what they’re seeing on the television, reading on the internet, or hearing from their friends. In agreement with the article, I am not proposing any kind of censorship, but parents really need to insert themselves back into their childrens’ lives.  They need guidance, motivation, and leadership.  From time to time, they may need someone to get their backsides of the couch and make them run around outside, or do their homework.