Pull the Plug!

Since the 1950’s, sitting in front of the television for relaxation, entertainment, learning, and for just something to do, has been an integral part of family life. With the introduction of TV into the fabric of family homes, research has been mounting in support of some of its negative impacts. Implicated in childhood obesity, behavioural and sleep disturbances, seizures, desensitization, violence, decreased learning, sedentary lifestyles, learning disabilities and poor food choices, television has become more than a simple source of distraction.¹

Chiropractors worldwide concern themselves with the enhancement, optimization and healthy development of the body through its nervous system. Awareness is the key in being able to educate Chiropractors and patients about the potential damaging effects induced by television viewing.

Current Trends

The numbers are astonishing! The amount of television the average American watches is 3–4 hours per day.² By the age of 75, a full 9 years will have been spent watching TV.^3,1 The amount of TV a one-year-old child watches is one hour per day, and ages 2–17 is 2.8 hours per day.⁴ This is, in spite of the American Pediatric Association’s recommendations that children under the age of 2 should not view television and that viewing for older children should be limited to 1–2 hours of media viewing (this includes video games).⁵

Television and the Brain

The physiological process the brain undergoes while viewing TV, is perhaps a key to its harmful effects.

Television images are created by a cathode ray gun scanner, which activates thousands of small phosphor dots that have been formed into 525 lines. The scanner sweeps across the screen twice in one fiftieth of a second. The eye receives each dot and transmits this information to the brain, which fills in the dots of the pattern. It becomes a type of unconscious connect-the-dots. However, this high frequency of 50 waves of dots every second puts a strain on the visual system because the eye and the conscious brain can only record visual stimuli at 20 impulses or less, per second. As the eyes and brain attempt to keep up with the pace of the images, our visual focus is “glued” to the screen.⁶

Reeves and Thorson explained the hypnotic state of television by our natural “orientating response”. This response occurs after perceiving a new auditory or visual stimulus and consists of blood vessel dilation to the brain, a decrease in heart rate, and constriction of blood to the major muscle groups. The body becomes still and quiet while the brain gathers information. This orientating response appears to be activated by the countless cuts, zooms, pans, sounds and actions of television, as many as 1 per second. (sciam) These rapid movements cause our attention to be intensely attracted to the screen in an almost hypnotic state that most viewers, find difficult to detach from.⁷

Thus the “addictive” cycle begins. People report a sense of relaxation and passivity while viewing, however once off; the feeling of relaxation ends while the feeling of passivity and lowered alertness continues.⁸ In essence, during watching the viewer is not actually reacting or focusing. This can explain why the person is left exhausted and often has difficulty in recalling what was viewed once the television is turned off.

High frequency television waves also appear to have an effect on brainwave activity. Within 30 seconds of watching TV, repeated EEG experiments observed brainwave patterns to change from beta waves (alert and conscious) to alpha waves (unfocused—a type of subconscious day dreaming usually occurring only when the eyes are shut).⁹ Another brainwave EEG study found that a person watching TV for only a few minutes had the same brainwave activity as someone who is subjected to 96 hours of sensory deprivation! ^10(p46)

In addition, there have also been reports on the potential deadly effects of viewing. In 1997, 700 Japanese children were rushed to hospital suffering from optically induced epileptic seizures after watching a Pokemon video game. The high frequency of red/blue flashes of color may have induced these seizures. Video game manufacturers now issue warning labels on some video games. Despite this, the popularity of these games still increases.¹¹

Television and Development

There is discussion concerning the theory that what is being watched is not as important, as the act of watching itself. In the book “Who’s bringing them up?” Martin Large describes television as being damaging to children’s development independent of content. He cites the following developmental effects; artificial light on children’s eyes, effects on the senses and brain, sleeplessness, headaches, bad dreams, perceptual disorders, poor concentration, hyperactivity, language development, and nervous problems.¹² A new study from Seattle Children’s’ Hospital and Regional Medical Center supports Large’s findings by showing that for every hour per day a toddler watches television they are 10% more likely to develop an attention disorder.¹³

Television and Behavior

One Canadian study observed the effects of when television was introduced into a no-TV community. Before television, the children of that community scored higher on reading tests, imagination and creativity than TV viewing children. After the introduction of television, the children fared only as well as their TV viewing comparison group. As well, their aggressive behaviour increased, beliefs about boys and girls’ performance became more stereotypical, and participation in community activities decreased. As for the adults, TV was found to decrease creativity and problem solving abilities.¹⁴

A study in Pediatrics involving 888 grade 2 and 3 students observed that along with increased television viewing there was an increased risk of; withdrawal, social problems, thought problems, attention issues, delinquent behaviour, and aggressive behaviour. It was also noted that the amount of television viewing was increased in children who are male, are older, and have social and academic issues.¹⁵ This predisposes a certain group of children to being more exposed to television, and are therefore at a greater risk of damage. Today’s average youth spends more time watching TV (1,023 hours) than at school (900 hours), and has seen 200,000 acts of violence by the age of 18.^16,17 What kind of impact can this have on children and can it impact adult behavior?

What about the Violence?

Research has shown that the emotional response to implied violence is actually greater than to actual scenes of violence.¹⁸ The implication of this for even G-rated movies is obvious. Could this be because today’s children are already desensitized to violence? Or does the mind, left to fill in the blanks for the implied violence, come up with more emotionally charged mental images?

One study attempted to analyze the desensitization of children and adults while watching TV violence. They found that children and adult males had a decreased emotional response with a violent program when previously exposed to a violent scene.¹⁹ This may indicate a protective mental response or it may mean that with each exposure to violence our emotional response is lessened. It is also important to assess whether or not exposure to TV violence has a prolonged effect into adulthood. In a 2003 study, children ages 6–10 were followed for a 15-year period and were assessed whether or not there was a relationship between viewing as a child and adult aggressive behaviour. The results clearly indicated, “childhood exposure to TV media violence predicts young adult aggressive behaviour”. It was also shown that those children who identified with the violent characters and who perceived TV violence as realistic, were more likely to be aggressive in adulthood.²⁰

An alternative perspective regarding television is not the possible behaviour it produces, but the behaviour that it does not produce. Just observe a child sitting in front of the television. What you will observe is a blank stare, with little blinking. If you gently try to get the attention of the child you may find that the child appears to have difficulty “coming out of ” the gaze. The vibrant, energetic and playful child is not found in a TV viewer. It seems as if the child is somehow subdued or inhibited. When observing adults viewing TV, the same behaviour is found. It is as if the thinking, feeling and interactive human is temporarily suspended; but gone where?

The Act of Television Viewing

Other dangerous effects of television viewing revolve around the physical act of viewing. The mental, physical, and emotional impact of sitting in front of a screen for 3 hours a day does not promote a healthy lifestyle. In fact there are several studies which have positively associated television with an increased risk of obesity by as much as 17–44%; an increasing problem for North Americans.^21,22 In 1994 the percentage of North American children that were seriously overweight amounted to 13%. One study found that television viewing actually lowers one’s metabolic rate.²³

Another factor that contributes to obesity includes the type of advertising commonly found during viewing. The average number of “junk food ads” aired during a 4-hour period of Saturday morning cartoons totalled 202. The predominant commercials include those that promote foods high in fat, salt and sugar; with sugary cereals being the most common. ^{24, 25} The number of television commercials viewed in one year by children is 20,000! Young minds are easily influenced and may torment and affect the buying habits of less conscious parents.

Another factor incredibly important in maintaining optimal health is sleep. Watching television before bed has been found to negatively impact the amount and quality of sleep.²⁶

In this new millennium we have made great strides in the promotion of healthy lifestyles, but promotion does not equate action. It is obvious that while our “hearts” are in the right place, seeking to add exercise, healthy diets and wellness concepts, our minds may be controlled by television, which may undermine our efforts. Television as a cause of subluxation incorporates physical, emotional/ mental and even toxic aspects.

So What to Do?

April 25 to May 1 2005 hosts the annual TV Turnoff Week for North America. Last year over 7.3 million children and adults participated in the event. It is designed for individuals and families to learn more about the impact of television. During the week, participants are encouraged to leave their televisions off and find other activities in its place. Participants are overwhelmingly surprised at how much more “quality” was introduced into their lives when the TV was off. The TV Turnoff Network (www.tvturnoff.org) has accumulated research and supportive information showing that television:

1. undermines family life,
2. harms children and hampers education,
3. promoted violence, and
4. promoted excessive commercialism

and sedentary lifestyles. We as parents need to become more aware of the side effects of this seemingly innocent pastime. If TV were a drug it would long be off the shelves.

Diane Meyer, D.C. has been awarded Diplomate status for successful completion of the ICPA’s 360 hour post-graduate Diplomate program. She is a 1994 graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and practices in Oakville, Ontario.

References can be found on-line at www.icpa4kids.org/research/references.htm

Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children

Early television exposure is associated with attentional problems at age 7. Efforts to limit television viewing in early childhood may be warranted, and additional research is needed.

PEDIATRICS Vol. 113 No. 4 April 2004, pp. 708-713 pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/113/4/708

Association Between Television Viewing and Sleep Problems During Adolescence and Early Adulthood

A recent study showed that adolescents who watched 3 or more hours of television per day during adolescence were at a significantly elevated risk for frequent sleep problems by early adulthood. This elevation in risk remained significant after offspring age, sex, previous sleep problems, offspring psychiatric disorders, offspring neglect, parental educational level, parental annual income, and parental psychiatric symptoms were controlled statistically. Adolescents who reduced their television viewing from 1 hour or longer to less than 1 hour per day experienced a significant reduction in risk for subsequent sleep problems. Sleep problems during adolescence were not independently associated with subsequent television viewing when prior television viewing was controlled.

The researches concluded that extensive television viewing during adolescence may contribute to the development of sleep problems by early adulthood.

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:562-568. http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/158/6/562

The following are some parental suggestions to limit T.V. watching:

1. Reduce the time spent watching television; it is obvious that less is better. Anything over 2 hours a day is dangerous.
2. Avoid TV before bed
3. Keep the TV’s out of children’s bedrooms.
4. Engage children in other activities, hobbies, crafts, readings and outings
5. Watch with your children and screen for violence
6. When implied violence is encountered, discuss its emotional effect with your children
7. When violence is encountered use it as an educational tool—a springboard for moral and ethical discussions
8. Use commercials to educate children on healthy eating and the contents of some advertised foods. This is also an opportunity to teach children to be conscious consumers by discussing the tactics of advertising.
9. Try to encourage movement during watching, i.e. sit on the floor or on an exercise ball, lift hand weights etc… use TV as a stretching opportunity. Be creative!!!
10. Avoid just sitting and exploring the channels… this can lead to hours of TV babble while not really watching anything.
11. Pre-frame a show to stimulate retention
12. Mute or turn off commercials—they are noticeably louder than the program to hold your attention

References:

1. Large M. Who’s Bringing Them Up? England, Hawthorn Press; 1997
2. Nielsen Media research, 2000
3. Kubey R, Csikszentmihalyi M. Television Addiction is No Mere metaphor. Sci Am. Feb. 23, 2003
4. Hofferth SL. Healthy Environment, Healthy Children. A Report on the 1997 Study of Income Dynamics, Child Development Supplement. University of Michigan Press; 1998
   Committee on Public Education, Children, Adolescents and Television. Pediatrics. 2001;107(2):423-426
5. Large M. Who’s Bringing Them Up? England, Hawthorn Press; 1997 pp.23. Kubey R, Csikszentmihalyi M. Television Addiction is No Mere metaphor. Sci Am. Feb. 23, 2003
6. Kubey R, Csikszentmihalyi M. Television Addiction is No Mere metaphor. Sci Am. Feb. 23, 2003
7. Large M. Who’s Bringing Them Up? England, Hawthorn Press; 1997 pp.25-27, 75. Ibid; pp.46
8. Ishida S, Yamashita Y, et al. Photosensitive seizures provoked while viewing “pocket monsters,” a made-for-television animation program in Japan. Epilepsia. 1998;39(12):1340-4
9. Large M. Who’s Bringing Them Up? England, Hawthorn Press; 1997 pp.9. Christakis D. Early Television Exposure and Subsequent Attentional Problems in Children. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4)708-713
10. Macbeth Williams T, The Impact of Television, Orlando, Florida. Academic Press; 1986. Ozmert E, Toyran M, Yurdakok K. Behavioural Correlates of Television Viewing in Primary School Children Evaluated by the Child Behaviour Checklist. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2002:156(9)
11. Barber B. Harper’s. 1993; Nov.41
12. Nielsen, 2000
13. Kalmas AD, Gruber ML. Electrodermal Responses to Implied Versus Actual Violence on Television. J Gen Psychol. 1998;125(1):31-37
14. Thomas MH, Horton RW, Lippincott EC, et al. Desensitization to Portrayals of Real-Life Aggression as a Function of Exposure to Television Violence. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1997;35(6):450-458

This article appeared in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #04.

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