Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
Danger of Watching Too Much Television | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
Could you please tell us about the danger of watching too much television? We are very concerned about the effect of radiation from CRT. Our 15-month-old loves to stand close to the screen when the TV is turned on and off. Are there any safety guidelines? Also, what is the optimum distance that he should be sitting while watching the box?
Thank you.— DeeDee | | | ANSWER |
December 19, 2001 | | | Dear DeeDee,
To be honest, I do not know of any guidelines about how far children should sit from the TV, from a medical/health point of view. The effects of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) on children is also not something I can claim expertise in, although I would be surprised if there were data showing that such radiation is actually harmful in the usual doses. I think there is some eyestrain that happens when children stare at the TV from up close, and this can perhaps contribute to vision problems down the road.
Much more to the point, however, I feel very strongly that young children--under 2 to 3 years of age--should not be watching TV on a regular basis. It is a bad habit, that tends to grow along with the children, and to take over all or most of their waking free time. It exposes them to a lot of violence, and materialist commercials, and it doesn't teach them how to make creative use of their own time. So, I would turn off the TV, not because of the radiation, but because of many other, important considerations.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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