No TV for Children Under 2, Doctors’ Group Urges - NYTimes.com

jmarie3:

section9:

evangotlib:

caterpillarcowboy:

Watching television or videos is discouraged for babies younger than 2 because studies suggest it could harm their development, a pediatricians’ group said Tuesday.

Instead of allowing infants to watch videos or screens, parents should talk to them and encourage independent play, said the first guidelines on the subject issued in more than a decade by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Yeah, saw this today. We of course do not let Chloe watch any TV (she is 14 weeks old). But she LOVES football. When I watch on Sunday’s she loves watching. And she turns away when the commercials come on. Wonder if I can get a pass (pun intended) on letting her watch football?

I would think so. I think the study was more focused on Baby Einsteins type of stuff.

Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, and it’s funny, because my kid was afraid of TV until he was about 3, but the Baby Einstein types are fucking nuts, more than nuts. Unless you have kids, you can’t understand. Maybe the people around kids should pay attention to their behaviors (I don’t mean you Will) rather than blaming shit on TV. The biggest influence on a child are the parents/people they’re in constant contact with, so blaming TV is a fucking cop out. I’m afraid of people who believe nonsense like this, but those are the same folks who listen to whatever they’re told. Sheeple.

I think that’s the point tiger. It’s directed at parents who use those types of videos in lieu of interaction with their children.

gbattle sez:

I’ve got nothing against Baby Einstein as entertainment rather than education. We use the videos, and our son responds positively to it. Trust, if you raise what amounts to be a digital feral child, a kid whose only contact with the world is television, iPhones and video games, I’m sure there will be problems. Looking to medical doctors to address a behavioral issue is like asking your car mechanic to curb your need to drive fast. Dumb.

There’s no substitute for monitoring your child’s development - technology, human interaction, friends, family, alone time, whatever - and acting accordingly. I can guarantee that there will be more headline fodder for and against babies interacting with technology for years to come. Raise your kid. Don’t be a punk parent.