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The effects of infant media usage: what do we know and what should we learn?

  1. Dimitri A Christakis

Article first published online: 12 SEP 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01027.x

Issue

Acta Paediatrica

Acta Paediatrica

Volume 98, Issue 1, pages 8–16, January 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Christakis, D. A. (2009), The effects of infant media usage: what do we know and what should we learn?. Acta Paediatrica, 98: 8–16. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01027.x

Author Information

  1. Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA

*Correspondence Dimitri A Christakis, M.D., M.P.H., Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, 1100 Olive St., Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. Tel: 206-884-8237 | Fax: 206-884-7801 | Email: dachris@u.washington.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 DEC 2008
  2. Article first published online: 12 SEP 2008
  3. Received 10 July 2008; revised 7 August 2008; accepted 15 August 2008.

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Keywords:

  • Children;
  • Development;
  • Infant;
  • Language;
  • Media;
  • TV

Abstract

The rise of infant TV viewing began in the late 1990s and has become an increasingly common occurrence. Today, over 90% of children begin watching TV regularly before the age of 2 years in spite of recommendations to the contrary. This article reviews what is known about the effects of infant TV viewing on multiple domains of child development including language, cognition and attentional capacity as well as directions for future research.

Conclusion: No studies to date have demonstrated benefits associated with early infant TV viewing. The preponderance of existing evidence suggests the potential for harm. Parents should exercise due caution in exposing infants to excessive media.

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