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Early television exposure and children's behavioral and social outcomes at age 30 months

Shunyue Cheng1, Tadahiko Maeda, Sakakihara Yoichi

  • 1Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Tokyo, Japan. cheng@iuhw.ac.jp

Journal of Epidemiology
|February 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Early television (TV) exposure in infants at 18 months was linked to hyperactivity-inattention and reduced prosocial behavior by 30 months. Causal links require further investigation into TV content and timing.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Pediatric Behavioral Health
  • Media Effects

Background:

  • Previous studies suggest a link between television (TV) viewing and behavioral issues in children.
  • Prospective studies on TV exposure and outcomes in children under 3 years old are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between early TV exposure (18 and 30 months) and behavioral/emotional outcomes at 30 months.
  • Investigate potential links between TV viewing habits and child development.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective data from the Japan Children's Study.
  • TV exposure assessed via maternal reports at 18 and 30 months.
  • Behavioral and emotional outcomes measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); Analysis of Covariance used.

Main Results:

  • 29.4% of children watched TV ≥4 hours/day at 18 months, 24.5% at 30 months.
  • TV exposure at 18 months correlated with increased hyperactivity-inattention and decreased prosocial behavior at 30 months.
  • No significant differences in SDQ subscales based on TV viewing at 30 months.

Conclusions:

  • Early TV exposure (18 months) is associated with specific behavioral outcomes at 30 months.
  • A direct causal relationship between TV viewing and behavioral outcomes was not established.
  • Further research is needed on TV program content and timing to understand causal links.
Abstract

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