How Long May Children Watching Television?

Currently most of the children spend time at home to watch television or play video games. Just how long children may watch television?

The psychologist said that watching television, playing games on a laptop or smartphone as dangerous as the children are eating junk food. For it must be given clear boundaries.

Dr Aric Sigman's annual conference in the Royal College of Paediatrics said parents should limit children spend in front of the screen. If not then these children will have the risk of unhealthy lifestyles associated with diabetes and heart disease.

A report of the European Parliament finds video games can stimulate and enhance children's learning skills such as strategic thinking, teamwork and creativity. But the key point is to make play time is well managed.

Dr Sigman said children under the age of 3 years should have little or no time to watch television every day, children aged 3-7 years should be allowed to watch TV no more than 90 minutes and teenagers up to 18 years may only be a maximum of 2 hours every day.

"Children who are accustomed to have a television in the bedroom tend not or can not read at age 6 years," said Dr Sigman, as quoted by The Sun, Wednesday (23/05/2012).

Dr Sigman explains this condition which is one reason for the increasing poverty rate of literacy in English, this will have a significant effect in terms of child care.

Meanwhile, Sue Palmer, child development experts say children should be introduced gradually so that they would not become addicted. Here are some guidelines given Sue Palmer is:

1. Avoid introducing telvisi or computer screen until the child is 2 years old, because research showed it could cause problems in development.

2. Determine the maximum limit of children allowed to watch television or computer, because children need to play for real and to develop social interaction skills.

3. Make sure the child can watch television or your computer after doing his homework or studying. Make strict rules.

4. Keep or not to put televisions in the bedroom, but put it in the family room so that parents can control what their children watch.

5. Encouraging children to play outside so he could meet with friends or interact in real and natural.

6. Provide time for families like to sit together and spend time playing or a trip with children.