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Since the first television screens lit up our living rooms scientists have been studying its affect on young children. Now scientists have compared mother-child communication while watching TV to reading books or playing with toys to reveal the impact on children's development. The results show that watching TV can lead to less interaction between parents and children, with a detrimental impact on literacy and language skills.

According to a recent survey 90% of parents admitted their children under the age of 2 watch at least some form of electronic media. Further, the average amount of TV watched for children aged 2 and under is 1-2 hours a day.

However, based on the findings of recent research, the Amercian Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made a “screen-free” recommendation for all children under the age of 2. The research was aimed at discovering any possible educational benefits as well as any harm in educational TV viewing for this age group. Here are a few of the key findings from this study: Because “educational” TV programs usually use content and context which does not yet make sense to children under the age of 2, the educational value of the program is void. Unstructured play trumps any form of electronic media in terms of encouraging brain development. Through unstructured play children learn creativity, problem solving, reasoning, and motor skills. Unstructured play also encourages independence by teaching children to entertain themselves. Young children learn best from actual interaction with humans, not TV screens. Even when parents watch TV and videos with their child to aid the child’s understanding, the child still benefits more from live interaction and instruction. “Background media” (such as parents own TV viewing) can also damage child development by distracting the parent and decreasing parent-child interactions. “Background media” can also distract a child during his unstructured play time. TV viewing around bedtime is especially destructive because it causes poor sleep habits and irregular sleep schedules which can negatively affect mood, behavior, and learning. Young children with heavy exposure to media often have delayed language development once they start school.

Researchers claim that attention deficit disorders in children are a result of watching television for long everyday. They say that watching television leads to developmental disorders, affecting that faculty of the brain which is responsible for language skills. Children who watch more television and read less, show difficulties in paying attention or concentrating. Children spending long hours in watching television are susceptible to being affected by attention deficit disorders.

Be selective regarding the programs children view; distinguish between fantasy and reality; and recognize gender stereotypes and racial prejudices portrayed on television. Children whose TV viewing time is limited are less aggressive and adult viewers who limit their viewing have a less violent picture of society. Children who watch less television usually read more, are less likely to be overweight, have more friends, and are more likely to develop hobbies.