Get the Facts

"A national Kaiser Family Foundation survey found children and teens are spending an increasing amount of time using 'new media' like computers, the Internet and video games, without cutting back on the time they spend with 'old' media like TV, print and music. ...

"The study, Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds, examined media use among a nationally representative sample of more than 2,000 3rd through 12th graders who completed detailed questionnaires, including nearly 700 self-selected participants who also maintained seven-day media diaries..."
[read more]

"Pre-schoolers are likely to spend as much time in front of the television or computer as they are playing outside, three times longer than the time spent reading, according to a new study that looks at the media's pervasiveness even among the very young..."
[read more]

"Today’s children live vastly different lives in relation to advanced technologies than children did even 25 years ago. Personal computers were then just coming on the market and had not appeared in schools. The internet was available only to scientists. Laptops, cell phones, and handheld electronic devices were things of the future. All of these—as well as the ubiquitous television screen—are now considered necessities by many families and schools.

"The supposed benefits of this techno-revolution for children are relentlessly promoted by high-tech corporations, even though independent research (conducted by those with no financial stake in the outcome) has produced little evidence of lasting, long-term gains..."
[read more]

"There was a time when children played from morning till night. They ran, jumped, played dress-up, and created endless stories out of their active imaginations. Now, many scarcely play this way at all. What happened?

• Over four and a half hours per day watching TV, video game, and computer screens;"

[read more]

"Kids don't need to leave the house to find trouble. Put them in front of a computer, and trouble is at their fingertips. ... Perhaps one of the first questions that should be addressed is the amount of time spent on the computer. Dr. Broughton said children should be exposed to no more than two hours of media a day. That includes TV, videos, music and computers..."
[read more]

"Preschoolers who use computers are smarter. They're also better prepared for school, research shows. Just be careful: Too much computer time may have negative effects -- even on very young children..."
[read more]

"If you're like a lot of kids, you probably spend time sitting at the computer, doing schoolwork or playing games. But whether you're writing a report about aardvarks or zapping aliens, using a computer can be tough on your body. How? ..."
[read more]

"Adults use computers on a lot of jobs, unfortunately, many college students and adults have been hurt while using them. Using a computer can affect different parts of your body, like your fingers, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back, and eyes. While computers look safe enough, there are some dangers that are good to know about, ..."
[read more]

"When first introduced, computers were almost exclusively used by adults. Today, children increasingly use these devices both for education and recreation. Millions of children use computers on a daily basis at school and at home.

Children can experience many of the same symptoms related to computer use as adults..."
[read more]

"Many children and adults spend hours in front of a screen. They watch TV or videos, play games and use the computer. This can be fun and educational, but make sure it doesn’t take too much time from other activities or expose your child to harm. Here are some tips for keeping screen time safe and sound..."
[read more]

"Hyperactive children spend much longer playing computer games and watching TV than healthy children, researchers say.

They asked parents and teachers about the habits of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ..."
[read more]

"Kids with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) should spend some quality after-school hours and weekend time outdoors enjoying nature, say researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The payoff for this "treatment" of children, 5 to 18 years old, who participated in a nationwide study, was a significant reduction of symptoms. The study appears in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health..."
[read more]