According to psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman, television is the greatest unacknowledged health threat of our time, posing 15 separate risks to children who are glued to their screens.
In a report published in a science journal, Dr. Sigman highlights the numerous health problems associated with excessive TV watching, including obesity, short-sightedness, and even premature puberty.
To combat these issues, Dr. Sigman suggests implementing daily limits on television viewing. He recommends that children under three years old should avoid watching TV altogether, and all TVs should be removed from bedrooms.
Dr. Sigman outlines the 15 harmful effects of TV on children, including increased risk of obesity and heart disease, disrupted hormones that disrupt sleep, and short attention spans leading to learning problems.
During a recent discussion with MPs, Dr. Sigman proposed implementing “recommended daily allowances” for TV viewing, similar to guidelines for salt intake. He suggests that children aged three to seven should watch no more than 30 minutes to one hour a day, while seven to 12-year-olds should limit their viewing to one hour. For older age groups, the recommended limits increase.
Dr. Sigman’s research demonstrates that excessive screen time has become a major public health issue. On average, adolescents spend a staggering 7.5 hours per day in front of a TV screen. By reducing television viewing, we can prioritize the health and well-being of our children.
Dr. Sigman emphasizes that most of the damage caused by television occurs when children exceed one to one-and-a-half hours per day of screen time, regardless of the program’s quality. However, the average child watches three to five times this amount.
It’s time to acknowledge the dangers of excessive TV viewing and take action to protect our children’s health. Let moderation be our guide, and let’s make reducing television viewing a top priority for child health.
