by Julie
A Kaiser Family Foundation study released today says that kids 6 years old and younger spend about two hours a day in front of a TV or computer screen. One-third of these kids have a TV in their own rooms. I didn't have a TV in my bedroom until I was 16!
Now, I'm just as likely as the next parent to believe that computers and TV shows can be educational. And I've been known to leave my son in front of one or the other while I take care of other business. And now that I think about it, I guess our time limit when Colter turned 4 or 5 was two hours a day total of computer or TV. So, why do these numbers surprise me?
I guess in contrast to the amount of time spent doing other things, the statistics are striking. For example, for most of these kids reading is also a way of life. But a less time-consuming one. About 79 percent spent 49 minutes reading or being read to. The good news: on average, they spend about two hours a day outside.
I struggle with the screen time issue. Especially the computer - if they don't have the technological edge how with they compete in their future world.
I am soooo glad I wasn't asked about my online time!!
Posted by: Amber | October 29, 2003 at 10:19 AM
Okay, how did they come up with 49 minutes??? We actually have no tv reception right now and it's a blessing...we have a few tapes but limit those. We lump screen time together-tv, computer, gameboy, video games...and he gets an hour a day and some days we're too busy for any and he's so much more pleasant! Of course, I'm missing hbo at night so much it's ridiculous.
Posted by: Kelly | October 29, 2003 at 09:01 AM