Is it advisable for children to watch TV?

Children are often fascinated by watching TV, and if there's a favorite program, they can spend the whole day glued to the screen...

1. Should children watch TV?

Children's excessive and improper TV watching significantly impacts their health and overall mental and personality development. This article will help you understand what parents should be aware of when allowing children to watch TV.
At what age should they avoid TV?

Studies by experts and psychologists show that allowing children to watch TV too early can lead to various negative effects on their health, particularly causing harm to the brain. For children, watching TV is a passive form of absorption that hinders their interaction with the real world, limiting their imaginative abilities. Additionally, it can disrupt a child's sleep, hindering their physical development. Therefore, parents are advised not to allow children under 2 years old to watch TV. In fact, in France, allowing children under 3 years old to watch TV is considered illegal.
Considerations about TV-watching time

- Limit TV time to 1-2 hours/day: The best approach is to let children watch for about 15 minutes at a time, spread throughout the day, so they feel content. - Absolutely no TV during meals: This is the time when children need to focus on eating and completing their primary tasks. Watching TV while eating can lead to digestive disorders, not only in children but in everyone. Additionally, it's essential to help children understand that mealtime is an opportunity for the family to bond and communicate with each other. - Avoid TV before bedtime: Watching TV in the evening just before bedtime can affect the quality of a child's sleep, making it difficult for them to sleep, leading to more dreams, and nightmares. This is because children tend to recall activities from the day, and activities closer to bedtime have a more profound impact. - Try to schedule TV time at the same hour every day: Setting specific times will help children anticipate when they can watch TV and understand that it's not available all the time. This can reduce arguments and tantrums when turning the TV on or off.
What is the safe distance from a child's eyes to the TV?

In the presence of captivating images and sounds from animated movies and children's programs, kids can be drawn in, reducing the distance between them and the TV without even realizing it. Hence, parents must always pay attention and maintain a safe distance between the child and the TV, ideally with a length at least 4-6 times the diagonal screen measurement.
Where to place the TV wisely?
Avoid placing the TV near the child's play area, as it may distract them, making them split their attention between playing and watching. Keeping toys away from the TV will encourage more focused play. Also, it's not advisable to have the TV in the child's bedroom, as it becomes challenging to control the duration of TV watching.
How many channels are sufficient?

Television channels dedicated to children don't need to be excessive; around 2-3 channels are usually enough. Many Smart TVs today come with parental control features, allowing you to lock specific channels and applications that children shouldn't access.
Animated movies aren't always beneficial
Some believe that watching animated movies is harmless for children. However, according to many doctors, scenes of violence in animated movies can have negative effects on children. Even violent images in adult films may lead to aggressive behavior in children, such as hitting, punching, or biting family members and friends. Children who regularly watch violent content may experience symptoms like difficulty sleeping, frequent nightmares, shallow sleep, difficulty waking up, and feeling tired in the morning.

What you should do when your child uses the TV
- Choose TV channels for your child: Parents should actively select channels and turn on TV programs for their children. Opt for simple programs with a slow pace, allowing children time to think and absorb; educational or entertaining programs with lots of fun songs and dances are ideal. Avoid exposing children to eerie images or sounds that might frighten them. Also, steer clear of violent programs that are not suitable for children. - You can watch TV with your child to have conversations and explain beneficial and interesting things, expanding their awareness. - Parents should also have a regulated TV-watching routine, allocating a reasonable amount of time, setting a positive example for their children. - Turn off the TV immediately when your child's program ends to avoid them getting attracted to another program, leading to tantrums for continued viewing. Additionally, to ensure healthy eyes, consider choosing TVs with good display screens, capable of reducing electronic radiation, and with backlight adjustment functions according to the environment to prevent eye strain. This is an effective way to protect their eyes while satisfying their need for information and exploring the world.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with the necessary knowledge and considerations when allowing children to watch TV, ensuring it doesn't impact their health, mental well-being, and overall development.