Another reason to Kill Your TV

I read this article about the risks of excessive TV watching with more than a little dread. New Scientist is running this review, Watching TV harms kids’ academic success

Too much time in front of the TV reduces children’s learning abilities, academic achievement, and even the likelihood of their graduating from university, suggest three new studies. But it may be the quality, not quantity, of the programmes that really matters.

Decades of studies have linked childhood hours in front of the TV with aggressive behaviour, earlier sexual activity, smoking, obesity, and poor school performance. The research has lead the American Academy of Pediatrics to suggest children watch no more than 2 hours of TV per day and that children under 2 years old watch none at all.

We let our kids watch way too much TV, and in my son's case I really wonder if it has had a negative effect. In his case I think he chooses to watch TV instead of reading -- and that creates a deficit that really hurts him at school and limits his intellectual stimulation.

So now I guess I have all the more reason to put my foot down.