The Television Attention Deficit

[Guest guest]

Short Attention Span Theatre

Presents

The Television Attention Deficit

By Ron Kaufman

 

 

 

" Look, people have cooked dinner for thousands of years... without resorting

to TV. "

-- Seattle pediatrician Dimitri Christakis

 

 

 

Featuring:

The Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington

" Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children "

as published in the April 2004 issue of " Pediatrics " by researchers

Dimitri A. Christakis, MD; Frederick J. Zimmerman, PhD; David L. DiGiuseppe,

MSc; and Carolyn A. McCarty, PhD

 

 

 

NARRATOR 1: Pediatric behavioral researchers in Seattle have found a strong

causal link between watching television and the prevalence of

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in young children. The

interesting aspect of this report is that the researchers did not look at

the content of television programs. Content is immaterial. This study proves

that it does not matter what children watch, but the use of the medium of

television itself that should be a concern to parents. Even if children are

watching so-called " educational " television, the negative effects of

TV-viewing can still impact the brain.

NARRATOR 2: ADHD is a mental disorder defined by inattentiveness,

hyperactivity and impulsivity. This problem is said to effect between 4% and

12% of children in the United States. Symptoms usually manifest themselves

before the age of seven and will often lead to serious problems with school,

social and occupational functioning. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), published by the American

Psychiatric Association places the following characteristics on ADHD:

 

InattentionHyperactivityImpulsivity

Fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless errors in

schoolwork, work or other activitiesSquirms in seat or fidgetsAnswers

questions before they have been completely asked

Has trouble keeping attention on tasks or playInappropriately leaves seatHas

trouble or awaiting turn

Doesn't appear to listen when being told somethingInappropriately runs or

climbs (in adolescents or adults, the may be only a subjective feeling of

restlessness)Interrupts or intrudes on others

Neither follows through on instructions nor completes chores, schoolwork, or

jobs (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand)Has trouble

quietly playing or engaging in leisure activity

Has trouble organizing activities and tasksAppears driven or " on the go "

Dislikes or avoids tasks that involve sustained mental effort (homework,

schoolwork)Talks excessively

Loses materials needed for activities (assignments, books, pencils, tools,

toys)

Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli

Forgetful

 

NARRATOR 1: Dr. Jane Healy from Vail, Colorado argues that the Seattle study

brings the problem of television's detrimental effects on young children

into a long-overdue spotlight.

DR. HEALY: Their systematic approach, their inclusion of a wide variety of

variables, and the size of the group all lend credibility to their findings,

which create a new imperative for follow-up investigations.

Neuroscience increasingly confirms the power of environmental experiences in

shaping the developing brain because of the plasticity of its neuronal

connectivity. Thus, repeated exposure to any stimulus in a child’s

environment may forcibly impact mental and emotional growth by either

setting up particular circuitry (“habits of mind”) or depriving the brain of

other experiences.

[With today's] “epidemic” of ADHD, perhaps it is indeed time to ask the

research questions so ably initiated by Christakis et al and to consider

that pediatricians may have yet one more job to do in early parent education

about placing limits on screen time. ( " Pediatrics, " April 2004)

NARRATOR 1: Perhaps, this study will become the first in challenging the

common practice of the " tv babysitter. " Dr. Dimitri Christakis, lead

researcher of the Seattle study, notes that parents should not be fooled by

thinking educational television is unequivocally good for children.

DR. CHRISTAKIS: This study suggests that there is a significant and

important association between early exposure to television and subsequent

attentional problems. We know from national estimates that children watch an

average of 2-3 hours of television a day in the 1-3 year old age group and

that as many as 30 percent of all children have a television in their

bedroom. There is a tremendous and growing reliance on television for a

variety of reasons. However, parents should be advised to limit their young

child’s television viewing.

NARRATOR 1: The report notes that " it is widely known that the newborn brain

continues to develop rapidly through the first few years of life and that

considerable plasticity exists during this period. Considerable evidence

also exists that environmental exposures, including types and degrees of

stimulation, affect the number and the density of neuronal synapses. The

types and intensity of visual and auditory experiences that children have

early in life therefore may have profound influences on brain development. "

NARRATOR 2: The Seattle researchers found that " early exposure to television

was associated with subsequent attentional problems. " Even when taking into

account numerous other environmental and parental factors, the report notes

that " the magnitude of the risk associated with television viewing,

expressed in our analysis in terms of hours per day of television viewed, is

clinically significant when one considers the full range of hours of

television viewed in our sample. "

NARRATOR 1: " In contrast to the pace with which real life unfolds and is

experienced by young children, television can portray rapidly changing

images, scenery, and events. It can be overstimulating yet extremely

interesting., " say the researchers.

NARRATOR 2: Most disturbing, were results which indicate that an " increase

in the number of hours of television watched at age 1 is associated with a

28% increase in the probability of having attentional problems at age 7.

This result is robust and stable over time—a similar effect size is obtained

for the number of hours of television watched at age 3. "

NARRATOR 1: The researchers did admit some faults in their study including

the possible unreliability of self-reporting and particular parental traits

which also may have impacted the development of young minds. Also, the

researchers, by design, did not factor in the content of television programs

into the study. They did suggest that some argue content does have an impact

 

NARRATOR 2: However, even with its faults, the Seattle research opens up the

idea of studying the medium of television, rather than solely looking at the

content. The researchers conclude that they hope " inattention " will be added

" to the previously studied deleterious consequences of excessive television

viewing, including violent behavior and obesity. " They state their " findings

suggest that preventive action can be taken with respect to attentional

problems in children. Limiting young children’s exposure to television as a

medium during formative years of brain development consistent with the

American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommendations may reduce children’s

subsequent risk of developing ADHD. "

NARRATOR 1: In a message to parents, the AAP says that " children in the

United States watch about four hours of TV every day. Watching movies on

tape or DVD and playing video games only adds to time spent in front of the

TV screen. It may be tempting to use television, movies and video games to

keep your child busy, but your child needs to spend as much time exploring

and learning as possible. Playing, reading and spending time with friends

and family are much healthier than sitting in front of a TV screen. " The

organization further advises parents to set limits. " Limit your child's use

of TV, movies and video and computer games to no more than one or two hours

per day. Do not let your child watch TV while doing homework. Do not put a

television in your child's bedroom, " says the AAP.

NARRATOR 2: Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute

on Media and the Family, praised the Seattle study as a wake up call for

parents.

DR. WALSH: The one question parents and teachers always ask me is whether

there is any connection between early media use and ADHD. I have long

believed there was a link. Now, this study confirms it. These findings are

particularly alarming when you consider the Kaiser Family Foundation's study

last year showing that one-third of all children under six, and one-fourth

of those under two, have televisions in their bedrooms.

NARRATOR 2: Dr. Walsh has published a paper, " Seven Building Blocks for

School Success. " One of the building blocks is " the ability to pay attention

"

DR. WALSH: Evidence is growing that early TV exposure undermines all the

building blocks, and this study is proof that tuning into the tube at an

early age contributes to attention problems and hampers learning. If we are

going to be successful in 'leaving no child behind,' we'd better get screens

out of kids' bedrooms and start limiting TV exposure. It's one of the few

risks to children that comes with an on/off switch.

NARRATOR 1: The National Institutes of Mental Health calls ADHD " one of the

most common mental disorders in children and adolescents. " The NIMH warns

that " children with ADHD have impaired functioning in multiple settings,

including home, school, and in relationships with peers. If untreated, the

disorder can have long-term adverse effects into adolescence and adulthood. "

NARRATOR 2: Doctors in the United States have made clear statements for many

years that exposure to hours and hours of television at young ages will

negatively impact the development of a child's mind. The real question is

whether the recommendations of the country's doctors will be able to break

through the loud volume of television networks and commercials? Will the

parents and guardians of America's children be able and willing to switch

off the TV set and engage in more interactivity with their children? The

only hope is that this research study will ignite the desire of other

researchers to further investigate the impact of television on the family

and the possible connection with mental health issues, such as ADHD. For the

sake of America's children, parents should turn off the television and

instead pursue another stimulating activity which for centuries, has been

proven to benefit children -- reading a book.

 

© 2004 by Ron Kaufman @ TurnOffYourTV.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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