Parents believe watching television is good for children nov19th

Antaletriangle · 11-19-2008, 01:02 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-children.html

The majority of parents believe that watching television is good for children, according to a report by a Government adviser.
By Urmee Khan
Last Updated: 8:05AM GMT 19 Nov 2008

'Television is part of our children's lives,' says psychologist Tanya Byron

Despite the negativity often associated with children watching television, eight out of 10 parents questioned believed it has a positive effect on their child's development, including helping them to expand their imagination (63 per cent) and broaden their vocabulary (60 per cent).

Three quarters of parents do not feel guilty about their child watching television and when appropriately managed and supervised, believe it can have a positive influence in a child's life, according to psychologist Tanya Byron.

The report, Children and Television Today, surveyed 1,880 parents of children aged between two and 11, through Mumsnet.com, a parenting website. The study was commissioned by Freeview, the digital television service.

Dr Byron told the Daily Telegraph: "To be honest, television is a part of our lives.

"While parents say television is great, they feel guilty about it at the same time," she said.

"I think a lot of that is about not having a clear steer through some of the conflicting research that is out there."

The report also found that 66 per cent of parents identifying a positive effect on their child's numeracy and musical skills from television.

Earlier this year, Dr Bryon reported to the Government about the risks to children from the internet and in video games. As a result, a new UK Council for Child Internet Safety was set up and a new classification system for computer games was established.

"We do know that children who lie still and they passive victims of television they tend to graze on junk food and metabolic rate goes down. It's obvious they will become obese because television is not part of a balanced diet of activity," she said.

"This research looks at the bigger picture and helps steer parents through some of these things. Also make very practical suggestions about what they can do."

Dr Byron highlighted research from America which recommends that children under age the age of two shouldn't watch television.

Whilst Dr Bryon refused to say whether she would push for such clear guidelines in the UK she said: "There are concerns that in part look at content - very, very young children who are still in early neurological development and [that] it's not a good idea to stick them in front of a screen for a long period of time."

The research also shows that 50 per cent of parents said having a digital television recorder has revolutionised their child's viewing in a positive way, and parents recognise that having one, makes it easier to control and plan what their child watches around busy family routines.

11-19-2008, 01:02 PM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Parents believe watching television is good for children nov19th http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-children.html The majority of parents believe that watching television is good for children, according to a report by a Government adviser. By Urmee Khan Last Updated: 8:05AM GMT 19 Nov 2008 'Television is part of our children's lives,' says psychologist Tanya Byron Despite the negativity often associated with children watching television, eight out of 10 parents questioned believed it has a positive effect on their child's development, including helping them to expand their imagination (63 per cent) and broaden their vocabulary (60 per cent). Three quarters of parents do not feel guilty about their child watching television and when appropriately managed and supervised, believe it can have a positive influence in a child's life, according to psychologist Tanya Byron. The report, Children and Television Today, surveyed 1,880 parents of children aged between two and 11, through Mumsnet.com, a parenting website. The study was commissioned by Freeview, the digital television service. Dr Byron told the Daily Telegraph: "To be honest, television is a part of our lives. "While parents say television is great, they feel guilty about it at the same time," she said. "I think a lot of that is about not having a clear steer through some of the conflicting research that is out there." The report also found that 66 per cent of parents identifying a positive effect on their child's numeracy and musical skills from television. Earlier this year, Dr Bryon reported to the Government about the risks to children from the internet and in video games. As a result, a new UK Council for Child Internet Safety was set up and a new classification system for computer games was established. "We do know that children who lie still and they passive victims of television they tend to graze on junk food and metabolic rate goes down. It's obvious they will become obese because television is not part of a balanced diet of activity," she said. "This research looks at the bigger picture and helps steer parents through some of these things. Also make very practical suggestions about what they can do." Dr Byron highlighted research from America which recommends that children under age the age of two shouldn't watch television. Whilst Dr Bryon refused to say whether she would push for such clear guidelines in the UK she said: "There are concerns that in part look at content - very, very young children who are still in early neurological development and [that] it's not a good idea to stick them in front of a screen for a long period of time." The research also shows that 50 per cent of parents said having a digital television recorder has revolutionised their child's viewing in a positive way, and parents recognise that having one, makes it easier to control and plan what their child watches around busy family routines.