Screens: Success or Sabotage for
Schools?
Dipesh Navsaria, MD and Librarian
He does the Reach
Out and Read. He wants to look at the youngest kids and what the
science shows. He also wants to talk about the effects screens have
on older children.
Technology has
been controversial for a long time. He encourages people to not
dismiss it but look at facts that are out there.
- 40% of 3-month olds are views of screen media
- 19% of babies under a year have a TV in their rooms
In 1970, children
at age 4 watched tv. Now, kids at 4 months are watching screens.
Even young
children are frequent users of digital media. The digital divide
does exist in computers and in mobile devices. Children under age 2
are spending twice as much time watching TV and videos as they do
reading books. Lots of time is being spent in front of media.
Between 2005-2011, tv watching is the same, but more kids have tvs in
their rooms. Even with the mobile devices, tv does dominate
children's media use. Broadcast tv is what mostly what kids look at.
Is it because of apps? Cable? This is the most common with those in
low-income environments.
Some kids are
media multi-taskers. Why are parents putting children in front of
screens? Some for keeping kids occupied during chores. A study in
2009 looked at screens in childcare settings. In center-based
programs, TV time was little, but it was higher in the home-based
programs.
The more time
spent with screens mean less time interacting. It is the
relationships that matter. It's people, not products.
Each hour of
audible TV results in 636 fewer words from females in the home
environment, and 134 fewer words from males. - Christakis
He also said there
is a link to irregular sleep and delayed language acquisition.
Kids under 18
months don't pay much attention to TV. Between 18-30 months, there is
a shift that takes place toward the TV. Something is happening, and
this often slips right by parents.
Why do parents
flock to “educational” media for infants and toddlers? He shared
some lines from Baby Einstein. Are parents worried they can't do as
good as a job, or as well as they think? This is the Orienting
Response, which Pavlov did in 1927. On average, each hour in daily
TV use appears to yield a 10% increased risk of inattention later in
life. But if you read, it decreases at 20%. But the key factor is
content.
What about iPads?
Are they different from tv? Touch screens can do a lot more and be
interactive. Reading books have more features.
What is the
messaging that goes on to children? In 1934, FCC was set up for the
public to own the airwaves. FTC said in the 70s that restrictions had
to be made to kids. In the 80s, they wanted to get rid of
commercials. Children learn through observation. Media gives access
to the secret world of adults.
What are the
solutions? Reasonable rules with screen time, curfew with media
devices. Use media to enhance the relationships.
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