Nearly all of us feel that we watch too much television, and that we should make a bigger effort to do other things. Nearly all of us believe that our children watch too much TV, though we can be only too ready to use the 'electronic babysitter' when it's convenient! But should the Government start issuing warnings about children's over-exposure to the small screen, and provide guidelines for how much TV is too much? Dr Aric Sigman told MPs this week that it should (see News, page 5). He pointed out that the public is given advice and guidelines on many different areas of personal behaviour, including fruit and vegetable consumption, salt intake, alcohol limits and smoking, so why not TV watching too, if such a move can have a beneficial effect?
Nearly all of us feel that we watch too much television, and that we should make a bigger effort to do other things. Nearly all of us believe that our children watch too much TV, though we can be only too ready to use the 'electronic babysitter' when it's convenient!
But should the Government start issuing warnings about children's over-exposure to the small screen, and provide guidelines for how much TV is too much? Dr Aric Sigman told MPs this week that it should (see News, page 5). He pointed out that the public is given advice and guidelines on many different areas of personal behaviour, including fruit and vegetable consumption, salt intake, alcohol limits and smoking, so why not TV watching too, if such a move can have a beneficial effect?
Dr Sigman also made the brave and controversial assertion that we shouldn't worry about making parents feel guilty, as 'child health is more important than parental guilt'. Maybe we should accept that a combination of guilt and guidelines is most likely to prompt a change in behaviour and stop three-year-olds having TV sets in their bedrooms! Let us know what you think.
Next week, don't miss our special feature on ten years of early years education and childcare under Tony Blair and New Labour.
