Yes, watching TV is better than starving, but it's worse than not watching TV. Good evidence suggests that screen viewing before age 18 months has lasting negative effects on children's language development, reading skills, and short term memory. It also contributes to problems with sleep and attention. read more
While not recommended, occasional TV is probably not going to have much effect on your child. However, extended watching for infants inhibits their learning. It has effects on sleep, memory, and attention span. read more
At that time, there was little research on television’s effects on infants and toddlers. Studies that have appeared in the past decade, however, support the Academy’s position. A heavy diet of television provides only empty calories for a child’s growing brain. read more