Front Page Talking Points

FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 25, 2013

Studies of TV viewing in childhood show impact and suggest content matters

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1.gifFind news about a leisure activity other than TV and tell whether you've done it or want to.

2.gifPick an article about any entertainment form or event and list at least two reasons why you think it's worthwhile.

3.gifNow look for education-related coverage and summarize what you learn or what's interesting.

TV watching can influence young viewers' personalities for better or worse, two new studies suggest. New Zealand researchers who monitored 1,037 people there from childhood until early adulthood link heavy viewing to antisocial behavior and even crime. Every extra hour of weeknight TV watching when young increased by 30 percent the risk of a criminal conviction by age 26, they write.

In a one-year U.S. study, University of Washington researchers split 565 Seattle-area families with children ages 3 to 5 into two groups. One set of children could watch television as they usually did, while the other group was steered toward programs that feature nonviolent conflict resolution, cooperative problem solving, manners and empathy. Such shows include "Dora the Explorer," "Sesame Street," "My Friend Rabbit," "Wonder Pets!" and "Super Why." Both groups of children were evaluated later for social skills. The second bunch showed "significant improvements" by displaying less aggression and selfishness.

Rather than advising parents to limit daily viewing to two hours or less, some pediatricians (children's doctors) now say parents should focus on the type of programs. Youngsters should be steered toward educational or socially positive shows instead of those with violence and aggression. "If the screens are going to be on, let's concentrate on the content and how we can make it work for children," explains Dr. Claire McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital.

Professor says: "It’s not just about turning off the TV. It’s about changing the channel." – Dr. Dimitri Christakis of the University of Washington, lead author of the Seattle study

Doctor says: "With our society of smartphones and YouTube and video streaming, screen time is becoming more a part of daily life, not less." -- Dr. Claire McCarthy, Boston Children's Hospital

Crime connection: "Young adults who had spent more time watching television during childhood and adolescence were significantly more likely to have a criminal conviction, a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder and more aggressive personality traits compared with those who viewed less television." -- Lindsay Robertson, public health researcher and lead author of New Zealand study

Front Page Talking Points is written by Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024

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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.