(See Globe and Mail, July 6, L4 from the Canadian Press and July13, A1, A2)
Both the American and Canadian Paediatric Societies recommend that all electronic media be limited to no more than 2 hours a day for kids age 2 to 18, and zero for those under age 2.
While these recommendations are well intentioned and due to fears of obesity, hyperactivity and poorer grades in school, social isolation, sleep deprivation, etc., achieving such minimal media access goals is simply wishful thinking.
Already by 1980 Canadian children were averaging 24 hours of TV a week
or 31/2 hours a day, and U.S. numbers were higher. And that was before computers and cell phones became ubiquitous and MP3 players and other devices were invented. (Toronto Star, Who watches TV most? …” Nov 30, 1988)
3 studies published this year show Canadian and American school age and college students average 4 ½ hours for TV and video games daily, and even more if multi-tasking activities (such as Facebook, Hotmail, MP3 listening, cell phones, etc.) are added in.
So, the paediatric societies’ recommendations, cutting back to 2 hours a day or less, will not happen across Canada, the USA or any country where electronic media are relatively inexpensive and readily available.
The genies have long been let out of the bottles. Even by the 1980’s!!!
PS Looking on the bright side, if you cannot figure out how to use the command structure of your new company cell phone, just give it to a 10 year old and she or he will solve it for you in seconds. The same with high tech multi-function remotes and computer screen savers or system glitches.
That’s today’s tech savvy kids.
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