Limiting TV time

Watching too much television or spending long periods playing computer games could be bad for your child's health. It could lead to them having a short attention span and is one of the things that could lead to child obesity.

What the experts say

The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence says that too much time spent in front of the TV could lead to your child using less energy than they have taken in from eating. This can mean that the child becomes overweight. It suggests that parents and carers should:

  • keep track of the time children spend watching television
  • keep children active  – they should not sit for more than two hours watching telly or playing video games
  • find more active hobbies - like sport, dance or walking.

TV in moderation

TV can help children learn to communicate and can get them to use their imagination. But there are things you can do to help keep your child’s viewing at reasonable levels. You may want to:

  • keep TV sets out of bedrooms
  • watch together and plan your viewing around chosen programmes – try to make it a family event so can keep an eye on what they are watching
  • turn the TV off during meal times and when there is nothing special to watch
  • try to offer a distraction, like a special treat or fun activity
  • from an early age, try to let your child know that TV should be used selectively
  • set a good example by limiting your own viewing

If all else fails, you can get gadgets that can stop them from watching certain programmes or limit the number of hours the television or games console stays on for. You can find out about these at an electrical shop or search online for TV allowance devices.

Gaming and the internet

The internet is a valuable educational tool but it’s a good idea to limit the hours your child spends on it or on games consoles. Too much time sitting in front of a screen, be it a computer or a television, may be a health risk. Encourage your child to play outside instead and socialise with other children.

How active should children be?

Keeping children active helps healthy growth and development, good energy levels and psychological well-being. It also means they are more likely to mix with other children, which also helps their development.

Children and young people should be active for at least one hour per day.

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