Effects Of Too Much TV and Screen Time On Children and Younger Kids

Information about the influence and effects on children

Preschool Children and Television*:

• On average, preschool children spend 32 hours a week with screen media. 
• Direct exposure to TV and overall household viewing are associated with increased early childhood aggression. 
• The more time preschool children spend with screens, the less time they spend engaged in creative play which is the foundation of learning, constructive problem solving, and creativity
• On average, preschool children see nearly 25,000 television commercials, a figure that does not include product placement. 
• Screen time can be habit-forming: the more time children engage with screens, the harder time they have turning them off as older children.
• Screen time for children under 3 is linked to irregular sleep patterns and delayed language acquisition 
• The more time preschool children and babies spend with screens, the less time they spend interacting with their parents. Even when parents co-view, they spend less time talking to their children than when they’re engaged in other activities.
• Toddler screen time is also associated with problems in later childhood, including lower math and school achievement, reduced physical activity, victimization by classmates [9], and increased BMI 

School Aged Children  and Television*:

• Children ages 8 -18 spend average of 4 1/2 hours per day watching television, 1 1/2 hours using computers, and more than an hour playing video games
• Time spent with screens is associated with:  childhood obesity, sleep disturbances and attention span issues
• Children with 2 or more hours of daily screen time are more likely to have increased psychological difficulties, including hyperactivity, emotional and conduct problems, as well as difficulties with peers. 
• Children with a television in their bedroom are more likely to be overweight.
• Especially high rates of bedroom televisions (70-74%) have been seen among racial/ethnic minority children aged 2 to 13 years. 

Healthy Eating

Breakfast  

Lunch Ideas

Snack time

Family Mealtime

Portion Control

Cooking At Home

Food Safety

Eating Out Tips

Healthy Holiday

Summer Foods

Healthy Foods

Food Marketing

Grocery Shopping

Food Labels   

Five Food Groups

Fruit Group

Vegetables Group

Grains Group

Dairy Group

Protein Group

Essential Nutrients

Healthy Child

Healthy Child

Psychology To Healthier Eating 

Vegetarian-Vegan

Drinks and Kids

Food Allergies

Childhood Obesity

BMI and Kids

Get Moving!

Kids and TV

See All Our Nutrition Articles