First study shows bad news for families and background TV

By William Atkins
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 18:39

Science - Health

The conclusions of the study showed that the quantity and quality of interactions between the parents and the children dropped when the TV was on.

In fact, the parents spent about 20% less time interacting with their children.

The time the parents did spend with the children, with the TV on, was also considered to be of less quality. That is, the parents were less attentive, less responsive, and less active with the children when the TV was on.

According to the EurekAlert article Background TV found to have negative effect on parent-child interactions, "Although previous research found that background television disrupts young children's solitary play, this is the first study to demonstrate its impact on the quantity and quality of parent-child interactions.”

And, "Given that high-quality parent-child interaction plays an important role in children's development, the study challenges the common assumption that background TV doesn't affect very young children if they don't look at the screen.”

The researchers conclude, "We need to pay greater attention to children's early, chronic exposure to TV."

The researchers of the study include: Heather L. Kirkorian (University of Massachusetts), Tiffany A. Pempek (formerly at University of Massachusetts, now at Washington and Lee University), Lauren A. Murphy (formerly at University of Massachusetts, now at Portland State University), Marie E. Schmidt (formerly at University of Massachusetts, now at Children's Hospital), and Daniel R. Anderson (University of Massachusetts).