Television Viewing Related to Bullying
Kimberly McCallen
Bullying among school-age children is considered a serious public health problem. According to a survey funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), more than 16% of U.S. children is being bullied in school this term. That is 1 out of every 6 children. According to an article in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, researchers from the University of Washington have concluded that the more television four-year-olds watch the more likely they are to bully later.
Why? When children watch television, they are missing out on interaction with their parents which helps young children develop language skills, empathy, self-regulation, and social skills. This lack of interaction also leads to decreased competence with peers.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 2 years of age should not watch any TV. Children over the age of 2 should watch no more than an hour or two a day. Turn off the TV and do things together – play, talk, read, or go on an outing together. This will help your child develop language skills, social skills, and strategies that may help to prevent your child from bullying. Bullies hurt other children, suffer from peer rejection, and grow to become adults who bully – targeting their spouses, children, and co-workers. Prevent bullying now!