TV Worse Than We Knew
February 20th 2007 15:49
A study which was published in the science Journal ‘Biologist’ has found that cutting television time for children has to be a priority for health reasons.
Excessive TV viewing apparently reduces the production of a specific hormone called melatonin and as such children watching too much television can be adversely affected in many different ways. It can affect the sleeping cycle of children, the immunity system and even trigger the onset of (premature) puberty, all caused by a lack of the hormone.
The study has also found that people aged between 20 and 60 years old watching television can even increase their chances of getting Alzheimer’s with each extra hour they watch.
It is quite extreme, the study actually suggests children up to the age of six be completely barred from watching television and then be gradually introduced to it. Even adults increase their chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease with simply one hour of TV viewing a day.
I’m not so sure what the verdict is on computer games, studies suggest it improves lateral thinking and problem solving skills as well as dexterity. However if it does indeed reduce melatonin in children it could do more bad than good.
I highly recommend everyone read about melatonin to understand just how important the hormone is, especially in children.
Melatonin, your biological clock, hear it tick?
The study has also found that people aged between 20 and 60 years old watching television can even increase their chances of getting Alzheimer’s with each extra hour they watch.
It is quite extreme, the study actually suggests children up to the age of six be completely barred from watching television and then be gradually introduced to it. Even adults increase their chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease with simply one hour of TV viewing a day.
I’m not so sure what the verdict is on computer games, studies suggest it improves lateral thinking and problem solving skills as well as dexterity. However if it does indeed reduce melatonin in children it could do more bad than good.
I highly recommend everyone read about melatonin to understand just how important the hormone is, especially in children.
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Comment by Wendi
But this makes me curious. I do often fall asleep with the t.v. on. I know lots of other people who do the same. Do televisions have the same side effects when we're sleeping, or is it caused only when we focus on what's on?
Comment by Wendi
We do designate one day a week in our school as "Documentary Day". This is the day where I select movies or educational dvds for the kids to watch that re-enforce what we're learning that week. These are particularly helpful with subjects like Spanish since we're learning it together (the kids more than me, admitedly) and I can't "teach" the subject.
So what do you think - does the type of programming matter as much as the time spent watching?
Comment by Francis
Passionate Apathy
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
But umm, I guess watching educational TV isn't as bad as watching cartooons, or at least something that makes you think.
So no Big Brother, Dancing With the Stars, erm, stuff like that I guess...