T-U-R-N OFF the TV, VIDEO GAMES, DVR

Research shows that children who spend less time in front of the TV are less likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or take drugs. Reducing the time children spend watching TV or playing video games decreases obesity, aggression and substance abuse while improving school performance. Parents also reported a decrease in children nagging them for toys or clothes because they are not subjected to as many commercials. Do Americans need research to point out the obvious? Apparently!!

According to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation children spend nearly 55 hours a week watching TV, Texting, and Playing Video/Electronic Games. The time children spend on these activities is the equivalent of a full-time job consuming mindless media – 7 hours 38 minutes every day.

According to Nielsen ratings Pre-school children (age 2 – 5) spend 32.5 hours a week watching TV, DVR, or playing video games. Pre-teens (age 6 – 12) spend 28 hours, a decrease, because, “They are likely to be attending school for longer hours.” Said another way, school and homework still manage to cut out 4 hours of TV, DVR, video games each week.

Part of the reason is the proliferation of personal electronics that have access to the Internet and TV programming (the majority of children own cell phones, MP3 players or both) Another part of this proliferation is ‘media multi-tasking,’ since the TV is left on during dinner in most U.S. homes and the MP3 player stays plugged into ears during homework and possibly mealtime.

Kristine Paulsen, media educational consultant in Bark River, Michigan and creator of ‘Take the Challenge, Take Charge (takethechallengenow.net) states, “There is real power when you can get an entire school to support decreased media.” The ‘Take the Challenge, Take Charge,’ program is designed to reduce exposure to media violence. It has been implemented in schools in 21 states with impressive results: Playground aggression decreased an average of 55 percent and negative classroom behavior dropped 48 percent. When a youth correctional facility adopted the program, they reported a 43 percent decrease in aggression incidents. Elementary schools using the program showed improvement in achievement tests and an increase in math and writing scores.

The PEACH Project provides more reasons for parents to limit children’s screen time. The study revealed that children who spend more than two hours a day on entertainment media are at greater risk for psychological difficulties, including anxiety and depression, regardless of how much time they spend being physically active.

With less entertainment media children learn to interact with both adults and peers in more healthy ways. Furthermore, they are more likely to go outside and play. They learn that life is fun without media and that media is a poor substitute for living and enjoying themselves with family and friends. ###

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Metaphysician - Certified Hypnosis and Regression Practitioner, Author and Speaker. Dr. Dorothy facilitates clearing blocks, fears and limiting beliefs. You can live the life you desire. She facilitates Past Life Regression and Future Life Progression. She was a World Regression Congress faculty member in the Netherlands, India, Brazil and Turkey. Her contact information is available below.