TV: Bummer news

Submitted by OneAndDone on Tue, 05/01/2007 - 12:05pm. to autism | obesity | puberty | Habits

Writing in the journal Biologist, British scientist Dr. Aric Sigman identified 15 negative effects that, he says, television can have on youngsters, ranging from short-sightedness and diabetes to autism and premature puberty. (!!!)
(Regarding premature puberty in girls) - Dr. Sigman’s report, based on his analysis of 35 scientific studies, claims that television viewing affects levels of melatonin, a hormone linked to when puberty occurs in girls. Melatonin levels increase in the evening, at the onset of darkness, but staring into a bright screen during this period hinders its production. Girls have been reaching puberty earlier since the 1950s, which previous research had blamed on an average increase in female weight, but he claims that lower melatonin levels may be another cause.
This is from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article1404067.ece

TV woes

Submitted by sevil on Tue, 05/01/2007 - 12:20pm. to

From what is called the best invention in the world to the greatest waster of time, I am not surprised with the recent findings. But, there is one big factor that weighs in to the TV woes: Us.

We just watched a Frontline special "Does TV Kill?" at UNR Monday evening. After 45 minutes, 50 years of research and case studies, the answer continues to elude us.

Does TV cause societal ills, and in many cases, gains (obesity)?

Processed foods, lack of exercise, overstressed adults, underactive youth, no time, hurry, hurry, fast-food, not allowed to play in the front yard, chemicals, additives.... Now, I am going on a different tangent, but it all comes to our modern-day influences which is magnified and broadcast through..... (drumroll, please) ... TV.

TV has become our family member. Until our welcomed - or unwelcomed -- guest is asked to leave the house, it stays. With it, its baggage.

Until people turn it off, keep it off, we will continue to zip through at the speed of life. I don't watch TV, but I have to tell ya, I get sucked in by the Food Channel, Discovery, PBS, National Geographic Channel.

Pass the remote.

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Divided...

Submitted by MyLittleBoyBlue on Sat, 06/02/2007 - 11:25am. to

While the television may be a contributing factor in today's problems, esp. with children, I still believe that, if used wisely, the television can be an amazing educational tool.

Unfortunately, most of what is on these days is complete rubbish, but every once in a while, there is something that can not only entertain, but teach. Those channels you listed, sevil, are a few of the small handful of a dying breed of educational channels. We have a TiVo at my house, and we have more than 3/4 of the channels turned off because they just aren't worth our time.

My son is only 3 months old, but I can already see that he is somewhat interested in the t.v. I worry that one day he will be sucked into the wide world of uneducational, brain dulling television no matter how hard I try to teach him otherwise. I don't believe that the television is a horrible contraption, but like many things, it should be used wisely and in moderation.

~Adrienne

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