TV and Children Under the Age of Two: Part Two

As we saw in yesterday’s article there is evidence that allowing your baby to watch TV may hinder their language. Our cheapest babysitter may be our most expensive. It’s funny now that I’m researching TV and children, I certainly have been more aware of its use in my house. But what about the parents who don’t know? If you thought that TV was giving your kids a head start wouldn’t you want to know if research found it to be otherwise? Should Baby Einstein have a label on its videos warning parents that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV under the age of two? The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood says yes.

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) made up of health professionals, educators, advocacy groups and concerned parents filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission in 2006 against Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby and BabyFirstTV. They state that these companies make false and deceptive claims that they cannot substantiate.

“They are likely to deceive a consumer acting reasonably under the circumstances.” “The number one reason parents allow babies to watch television and DVDs is the belief that the programming is educational and/or good for brain development.”

After the latest study regarding delayed language in children who watched TV for an hour was published in August 2007 the CCFC issued a press release reaffirming their stance. “This important study is the clearest indication yet of potential harm caused by the false and deceptive marketing of television programming and DVDs that target babies. Previous research suggests that television is not a good medium for teaching language to babies. Now we see that infants (ages 8-16 months) who watch baby videos have a slower rate of language acquisition than infants who do not. Not only is there no evidence that baby videos do any of the things the baby video industry claims they do, but these media may actually be undermining the development of the very skills they claim to foster.”

But maybe Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby and BabyFirstTV isn’t all to blame. I have a feeling that with or without a label on the video or websites, babies under two will still watch TV. The Kaiser Family Foundation in their 2005 study stated that “…it appears that the primary reason many parents choose to bring media into their children’s lives is not because of the educational benefits it offers kids, but because of the practical benefits it offers parents: uninterrupted times for chores, some peace and quiet, or even just an opportunity to watch their favorite shows.”

If it’s true that our primary reason to allow babies to watch TV is for our convenience, then maybe we need to develop some strategies for how we’re going to get that shower in or dinner cooked. But remember you don’t have to parent perfectly. Even if you tried you wouldn’t get it all right. But as long as you’re trying it won’t be all wrong either. I tell parents what the AAP recommendations are so they can make an “educated” decision. So now you know and the decision is yours. As for me? For now my older kids can watch some TV. But none for the baby. He has a whole lifetime to develop a taste for television.

Sheila Cason, MD

TV Under the Age of Two - Part I