Kids spend almost 11 hours a day using media! Are they better for it?
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that kids between the ages of 8 to 18 manage to squeeze nearly 11 hours of media into their day, seven days a week.
A recent study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation concluded that youth between the ages of 8 to 18 spend 7 hours and 38 minutes each day with media content from TV, music, video games, movies, computer and, yes, even a small amount of print. Thanks to multi-tasking, our kids are squeezing in 10 hours and 45 minutes of media use into that already substantial amount of time.
What does your kid have in his/her bedroom?
According to the study, 54% of kids from the ages of 8-10 and 76% from ages 11-18 (for a total average of 71%) have a TV in their bedroom. 50% have some sort of video game console. 36% have a computer (with 33% having Internet access).
How much time does your child spend with media?
The study grouped the young people into three categories: heavy, moderate and light media users.
- Heavy users are those who consume more than 16 hours of media content in a typical day (21% of all 8 to 18 year olds)
- Moderate users are those who consume from 3-16 hours of content (63%)
- Light users are those who consume less than three hours of media in a typical day (17%)
What surprised me was that the report concluded that youth who were considered heavy media users actually spent more time in physical activity than moderate or light media users, though not by much.
But are our children better for it?
Media can, of course, make our lives easier and even safer. Equipping our teenagers with cell phones mean they can easily call home or for help if they need it. Computers and the Internet can make their studies and research that much easier. But do the pros outweigh the cons?
The report found that “Children who are heavy media users are more likely to report getting fair or poor grades (mostly C’s or lower) than other children. Indeed, nearly half (47%) of all heavy media users say they usually get fair or poor grades, compared to 23% of light media users.”
Additionally, in contrast to moderate and light media users, those who are heavy media users reported they were less happy at school, didn’t get along as well with their parents, were more often bored, got into more trouble and were more often sad or unhappy.
You can check out the full report here.
Before our children were old, enough to know what TV was my wife and I literally threw it out. Except through the universities, there was no Internet at this time so there was very little to no media in the house.
Each child grew up learning to use their minds becoming A+ and honour students, later earning Masters and PhD’s. We are all voracious readers of science, the arts, fiction, and a myriad of other genres. We played family games and hung out together enjoying friends and each other’s company.
Today we are all on-line and hooked together through BlackBerry while utilizing all the wonderful modern technologies.
Rhonda, if you wrote in the manner of those who post their thoughts, you would be looking for work, certainly not at the Globe & Mail.
Candy ass! I spent my childhood playing road hockey and yelling “car”. Therefore, I’m fit and tight at 46. I have barely caught a cold in my life! Monetary gain does not out weigh being fit and happy. Diabetes is a new phenomenon caused by gluttony and greed. Buy your child the latest in games and have their death on your hands! Instead try spending quality time with your child and throw the damn ball with them! My father the “suit” never did although, I survived. Enough of the games! Just ask Mr. Gretzky!!!
Did you bother to even read what he wrote?
Hey Bob,
Did you ask what his body mass index is before you made this conlooosion? Know your facts and your sources.
This article is not about heavy users,it’s about heavy media users.It has nothing to do with weight.Now if you are not going to pay attention then go stand in the corner.
Honestly, I have to wonder if children’s grades and emotions suffer because they’re heavy media users, or if they are heavy media users because they are unhappy and unable to achieve the high grades that parents may expect or demand from them. Personally, I think the latter is likely more true than the former.
It’s the chicken and the egg argument.I just wish
that all of our young people would learn how to spell
and use proper punctuation.
Wow, this is stupid. If they make good grades they make good grades. If they’re stupid they’re stupid. It’s that simple!
its stupid it doesnt matter wat they do if they make good grades
Anyone reading this knows that you are not making good grades,at least not in English.
Bob,
Your a sloth! You probably are obese and condone others!
Allan
All things are possible.
I am 14 and I watch plenty TV, listen to lots of music and am on the computer quite a bit.
I am also an A student. I know people who ‘consume’ just as much media (and in some cases less) as I do and some of them get A’s, some get B’s, some C’s, some D’s and a few people failed a course. The grades we get have nothing to do with the amount of media we use.
You are either smart, or you’re not.
Well written.
But, can you handle the REAL world my friend! I’m a House Framer who goes to work with mathematical skills at -35C,working at heights sometimes wondering if, today is my last!
I am a dying breed therefore, there is no one to replace this old man!
P.S. I make a GREAT living!
P.P.S. CAR!!!
Allan
I used to make a great living too.But after 40 years in public service I retired and am collecting a nice pension.Cheers to you.
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