Recent news items are putting the spotlight on how media impacts kids.
In the past month, we've heard more evidence that exposure to food commercials cause kids to eat more, and to make poorer food choices. Shortly on the heels of the release of this study, 11 of the major food corporations announced that they would be phasing in voluntary restrictions on their practices of marketing to kids. Find out more about these restrictions in the article Food Advertising and Kids.
TV and commercials have been such a big part of most kid's lives ever since they were invented that we sometimes forget that it isn't always a healthy thing. But increasingly we are starting to question the health consequences of too much time in front of the tube. We know that it's better for kids to spend time being active rather than sedentary. We're starting to learn more about the possible connection between TV watching and attention span. We don't always agree with the values portrayed by the characters in our kids' shows, or the personal lives of the celebrities dominating the news. The depiction of sex and violence get more blatant every year. And I'm sure it doesn't take a scientific study to tell us that junk food eating and TV watching go hand in hand, especially for kids.
Kids love TV. Adults love TV. But not everything we love is good for us, especially when we go overboard. Let's face it, television can become addictive. Maybe its time to rethink one of our favorite pasttimes.
Be sure to vote in the newest Youth Development Poll, Kids and Food Advertising, below!
