Did you know that simply watching TV causes harm to children? Well, that’s what the American Academy of Pediatrics would have you believe. And yet, here we are in the sixth decade since TV became popular, and we have not yet seen the end of the world based upon multiple generations that grew up with television as a mainstay.
The latest issue of Pediatrics has two studies — and a bonus editorial! — that suggests television viewing by children is associated with greater criminality and antisocial personality, and that a child’s behavior can be modified by simply changing what they’re watching.
Pediatrics is the mouthpiece for the American Academy of Pediatrics. And while it’s ostensibly an objective, scientific journal, it continually publishes weak research — especially on the effects of TV and children.
Let’s check out the latest…
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines. The comments below begin with the oldest comments first. Click on the last comments page to jump to the most recent comments.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines.
Post a Comment:
Copyright © 1995-2013 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 23 May 2013
|
This is quite interesting. Correct me if I am wrong however, Albert Bandura created some strong evidence that children can learn to be violent “vicariously” through watching violence. That is, when children see violence they are more likely to behave violently according Bandura’s research. Though this study is rather weak I do believe there is evidence that experiencing violence tends to lead to an increase in violent behaviors correct?
I think the key here is common sense and not jumping to conclusions based on subjective observational data.
The author of this article (and readers) would be well served to read the hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of articles looking at the effects of TV exposure on children. Yes, every study has flaws. So yes, you can look at these articles in the current article of Pediatrics and find variables not measured (and other shortcomings). No one study is perfect. But when you take these articles and consider them in addition to hundreds more, there is sufficient evidence that media – esp TV – can lead to negative effects. NO, television is not causing the “end of the world” as you mockingly say in the opening paragraph. But negative effects for sure.