Too much technology for the developing baby?

mamma1614 · November 2014

Hello all you super moms out there and happy Thursday! I am happy to announce my little cutie is 10 months today! Its so crazy how time flies.

I'd like to raise a not-so-new topic which is constantly haunting us everywhere- Television, Ipads and iphones!!! oh my!!

I have had comments from different relatives about letting our 10 month old watch TV. Aside from letting him watch TV, we have been reading him books almost every day and make time to stimulate him in many other more educational ways that we could possibly try (Being the typical FTMs & FTDs we really try hard). We never thought TV could be a cause of harm to his brain development.

The most recent comment was the one that finally made me decide to write about this issue. My mom was getting ready to have us over tomorrow.
In preparation, she decided to go to the library to get a winnie the pooh video since that was my favorite cartoon growing up.

The lady working at the library asked my mom- what age is the baby you are getting this video for? So my mom tells her he's 10 months. Right away the librarian is horrified and gives her a long lecture on how she has read many researches about the developmental harm in letting a baby under the age of 2 watch TV. The brain at ages 0-2, according to Dr. Librarian, (please excuse my sarcasm. I really can't help myself) is developed differently than when the child is past 2 and can absorb information very quick and easily. When the child watches TV before the age of two, they do not learn things as well and become less stimulated to learn.

Now personally, I am a very open-minded person- I am not the type to think less of any job out there and I definitely don't judge a librarian for her choice of work. I respect anybody that is out there working for a living and never assume that maybe the person at McDonald failed in school and ended up there.

With that being said, I'm not sure how to take it. I am kind of skeptical about the entire TV and technology ruining a child's development let alone a librarian calling judgement on my mother getting an innocent dvd for him. The thing is, I've heard around about it enough that I am interested to hear more about what you all think about this issue that probably haunts most of you on the news, by friends, friends of friends telling us to minimize the technology or any other sources that you have probably stumbled upon. Do you think keep it to a minimum? forget what that librarian said? No - TV is actually really bad and we should stop it now before causing any further damage? Please feel free to share any thoughts or opinions on this matter.

Thanks in advance!!

mamma1614 · November 2014

@esd thank you. I totally understand how that could get more difficult with the more kids you have. I'm just curious, have you noticed any real difference between them after one being less exposed before the age of 2?

mamma1614 · November 2014

@Arya808 I am just trying to say I am not judging what she does for a living, and that I am open minded to her comment about too much TV even though I think a librarian shouldn't be lecturing my mom about my child's exposure to TV. If that makes any sense? I am open to whatever you think about it.

holly142 · November 2014

I do think that repeated exposure to tv is harmful for young kids. I made this decision after years of working in the early learning field and studying human development, K-8 education, and early childhood education.

My husband and I wait until DD is down for bed before watching our shows. Now don't get me wrong, she is occasionally exposed to it. When we have friends over for a football game, DD is in the room. Also, when I was sick with strep throat I turned on Dora hoping to entertain DD while my DH was at work. However, I am going to do my best to limit DD's exposure to technology. In my opinion, at her age there is no benefit to it. Once she turns 2, I will allow 1 show a day. However, I agree with @esd - it will be harder to limit a 2nd child's tv exposure and I will probably be less strict. I have attached an article that lists some of the reasons why I don't have the tv on during the day.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Why-to-Avoid-TV-Before-Age-2.aspx

umma4babes · November 2014

I don't think I turned on the tv for DS until he was close to 2. He was showing interest in characters and what they were saying at that age and actually asking for it.
DD has been exposed to tv at 9 months just because it is sometimes on for DS (now 4) when she is around. She has fleeting interest in it but would much rather play with her toys. I don't plan on making tv/technology a part of a regular routine until she is at least 2. When she can show a specific interest in certain things (like animals, trains, whatever) and ask for it, I will think about it.

nolagal79 · November 2014

If there's a game of any sort on (football, basketball, baseball, soccer, etc) then it's on our tv. E rarely if ever pays attention to it. We usually have the sound muted and frequently play music instead. She may glance at the screen but is quickly back to playing with the toy at hand or crawling off to search for the next one.

We use FaceTime and Skype to stay in touch with my parents and she "talks" to them daily. She gets SO excited when she sees my phone or the iPad bc we call it the "granny box." Outside of talking with the grandparents she doesn't see those two devices.

I don't think I'm ruining my child.

Chelsea33833 · November 2014

As a librarian, I do have to say that we have to have masters degrees for our positions. We also have to do a lot of research for people on various topics. She may just know a lot on that particular topic and came across too harshly or judgemental of someone getting a video for an infant. That being said, my baby watches tv so I can get some things done and he is a perfectly healthy, happy and smart little baby. I think the research is skewed by the many parents that just plop their kid in front of the tv with a bottle and do not play/work with their child.

Lena122 · November 2014

Neither of my babies have ever showed enough interest in the TV aside from a quick glance to see where the noise is coming from. I can't envision an infant watching a movie.

My DS started to show real interest right around 2. We won't limit DD's screen time any more than we do for DS (who is almost 3) although she has shown no interest in it.

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