Editorial: Outrage over kids' TV use unfair

Living in the media world, one gets used to being a target of blame. But spare a thought for Tom and Jerry and Hannah Montana, for "experts" constantly tell us that they are the root of all society's woes, from violence to obesity to addictions.

Parents are constantly bombarded by the message that television is bad for children.

The latest claim from Tauranga psychotherapist Augustina Driessen - as reported by James Fuller in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend - is that television is jeopardising our children's futures. Mrs Driessen states that she has dealt with children who have watched too much television who have heightened levels of aggression, anxiety and depression as a result.

There is no doubting Mrs Driessen's expertise in children's development. Her recommendation that children under 3 should not watch television is probably correct, given what neuroscience tells us about early brain development.

But let us not buy into the moral panic about television. The fact remains that there is no conclusive medical evidence that television in itself is harmful to children over 3 because it is impossible to prove a correlation between television and the symptoms that Mrs Driessen states.

By solely focusing on the alleged effects of television, we are overlooking other significant factors that might negatively affect children - inadequate parenting, poor nutrition, poverty, lack of attention, bullying or difficulties at school. It is easier to blame SpongeBob than tackle these sociological and political challenges.

Nor does letting children watch some television preclude them doing other activities such as reading, or outdoor play.

It is about balance. I am not suggesting that sitting children in front of the box 24/7 is a good move, any more so than letting them climb trees 12 hours every day of their lives would be beneficial for their future.

In my view, an hour or so of age-appropriate television each day is okay for children over 3. In my family, my children watch the news every day - it is a forum for discussion about the world in the safe environment of home.

Television and media are a core part of children's lives and culture. Mrs Driessen is correct to warn parents to be involved in their kids' media usage, but censorship will not work. What would benefit children's futures is if experts, parents and teachers consider how media can have a positive impact on children's learning and development.