Watching TV overloads children’s brains with information in a short period of time, causing developing brains to
be over stimulated. This can cause permanent damage in the baby’s developing neural pathways. When the child starts school,
they often have trouble paying attention. For every hour a day of TV watched between the ages of one and three, the risk of
ADD goes up by 10%.
“Studies show that ADD has increased with the introduction of children’s television
in the 1950’s, then spiked higher in the mid 1980’s when VCR’s and home video became commonplace.” (It’s Official: TV
Linked to Attention Deficit, Jean Lotus). Scientists have long since guessed that there was a cause for ADD other than genetics,
as it has spread through every social class.
Children should watch a maximum 2 hours a day of TV, computer or video
games. Between the ages of one and three, less than two hours would be
better. Children tend to watch more when the TV is in their
bedroom, so
take the TV out!
Children’s health is greatly at risk; it’s time to limit the amount of TV,
computer and Video games
they watch and to also view the content.
Monitor how long children watch TV or play on the computer by showing
them on a clock. It gives them empowerment. It doesn’t always work, as
children are easily distracted, but at least parents are making children
aware
of time limits. Explain to children what a TV does to them; make
them aware of consequences, but still keep an eye on the time
they spend
on their video games, computer and their TV.
These are a few causes for ADD:
· Genetics;
· Lack of Omega 3;
· Diet
· Watching TV.
What Happens When Children
Watch Too Much TV
TV has become an integral part of society, but what does it do to the
health of our children? The latest
studies link conditions such as childhood
obesity and ADD with watching TV. Watching TV is a sedentary activity.
Commercials
advertise health-damaging junk foods that are geared
towards children. Watching TV does discourage interaction with others,
and goes much too fast for the child’s developing brain.
When children spend time on the computer, watching TV and playing video
games, they tend to eat more. Usually the food they consume is junk
food. The leading beverage consumed is soda pop. This
lack of exercise
combined with consuming extra empty calories can lead to childhood
obesity.
Soda pop is worse for the
body than many junk foods. The child will focus
in on the TV show or the computer game. They will lose track of how many
cans of pop
they drank. Each can of pop contains up to 12 teaspoons of
sugar, zero nutrition, phosphoric acid, artificial flavors and artificial
colours.
Some contain Aspartame.
Sugar weakens the immune system and leads to Diabetes, heart problems,
tooth decay and
more. Excess sugar also contributes to weight gain. Zero
nutrition leaves bodies crying for more nutrition, which will increase
hunger
and junk food cravings. Pop also takes vitamins and minerals from the
body to process the sugar.
Phosphoric
Acid causes bones to weaken, which means the bones will be
more likely to fracture when children exercise. This effect is magnified
if
the pop contains caffeine.
Aspartame is known to kill brain cells and can set off seizures. Aspartame
is also sweet,
which increases cravings for more sweets. This is how the
pop affects children’s bodies, and does not begin to take into account
other
junk foods.