Is TV Harming Our Children's Health?
A UK scientist says too much television and computer screen watching is damaging children's health and development.
Dr Aric Sigman, a psychologist surveyed 30 scientific papers on television and computer screen viewing.
His findings are to be published in the next issue of the journal Biologist, which will be available on the internet on Friday.
Dr Sigman, who is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Member of the Institute of Biology, says that the research shows too much TV can contribute to a range of childhood physiological and mental health problems.
By the age of 6, the average British child has spent one complete year in front of a screen, mostly the TV.
And the average adult will have spent 12 solid years in front of the box by the time he or she reaches 75.
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Sexualization Of Girls In The Media Is Harmful
The American Psychological Association (APA) suggests that the proliferation of sexual images of girls and young women in the media is harming their self-image and development.
An APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls examined research papers covering the effect of all kinds of media content including television, music videos, magazines, video games, the Internet, movies, and music lyrics. They also looked at the way products are sold and advertised to young girls.
The Task Force described sexualization as: "when a person's value comes only from her/his sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is sexually objectified, e.g., made into a thing for another's sexual use."
The report suggests that the volume of sexualized images has increased as more media content exists over a wider range of accessible technologies, leading to increased exposure and pressure on young girls. Attitudes of family members and friends can also increase the pressure.
"We have ample evidence to conclude that sexualization has negative effects in a variety of domains, including cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development," said Dr Eileen Zurbriggen, Chair of the APA Task Force.
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