Media Use by Kids

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently established some positions regarding children and the use of media.  In one finding they confirm what we parents have known for years.  They found that positive entertainment is healthier for children. It is advising the 60,000 member pediatricians to "challenge the entertainment industry to create positive content for children and teens and advocate for strong rules about how products are marketed to children.  In a second, related finding, the AAP spoke to the serious risks involved with unrestricted use of media.  They concluded that "the evidence is now clear that media outlets can and do contribute substantially to many different risks and health problems and that children and teenagers learn from, and may be negatively influenced by the media. Risks and problems linked with excessive media use by children and teens are linked to violence, sex, drug use, and obesity.
It is interesting to me that there is no age where excess media use did not create a problem.  This includes plopping your pre-schoolers in front of the TV as a baby sitter, to teens and their use of media. One area that is creating big problems is giving children smart phones.  In my opinion, no child under the age of 16 should be given one as these phones are really portable computers that provide unfiltered access to everything on the internet.  It is long overdue for responsible parents to enact reasonable limits on how much and what media we allow our kids to utilize.  How much is your child's well being worth to you?
Blessings,
Dr. Paul