The French Ban TV for Children Under Three
Showing infinite wisdom beyond Americans, the French have banned French television programs designed for children under three-years-old. Unfortunately, young French children are still exposed to TV programs broadcast from foreign channels on cable, such BabyFirstTV, but now those channels must warn parents of the negative developmental effects of television watching. Such programing now issues the following warning to French parents,
“Watching television can slow the development of children under 3, even when it involves channels aimed specifically at them.”
The warning is based on a ruling by the High Audiovisual Council which states:
Television viewing hurts the development of children under 3 years old and poses a certain number of risks, encouraging passivity, slow language acquisition, over-excitedness, troubles with sleep and concentration as well as dependence on screens.
Personally, my children never showed an interest in TV until they were three-years-old, and even so, they would much rather play than sit idly by in front of the tube. I love it now that my seven-year-old calls TV “boring” and would much rather read a book. I’ve always believed that given the right environment, children know what is best for their own development. The world should take notice of France’s ban on television aimed at our youngest children consumers.
Via: Associated Press and Z Recs
Image: iandeth on Flickr under a Creative Commons License
I think the focusing on children is to make the parent responsible. You know, actually have them PARENT…
French “Showing infinite wisdom” give me a break! We have too many people trying to tell others how to raise their children. People wanting the Government to do their parenting for them seems to be getting to be the norm…..Sad Take the time to be with your children and teach them what you want them to know and understand about the world. I guess we have to put the blame on something to make ourselves feel better about not spending time with our children, let’s blame TV. Everyone has their own opinion about raising children. Mine is spend time with your children whether it is watching TV, going to the lake, playing in the yard or evening reading them a book. Someone is going to spend time with them why not someone with the values you trust….”You”.
Oh I do have children and grandchildren also, my children are very intelligent and so are the grandchildren. I had to brag a little, proud dad and grandfather that I am. Yes we watched TV and movies plus played together, some of me rubbed off on them and some did not. The intelligence came from within them and the thirst to expand it came from me and their mother, I hope it did anyway.
I did not mean to write this much and is way to long. Children are the future, I hope we (the past generations) have not laid to shotty a foundation that they can not build on it.
As you can tell I did not agree with the author of this article. Everyone has an opinion and now you have read mine and the authors, I look forward to reading yours.
Nuff’ Said
Total state control equals tyranny, total individual freedom equals marauding chaos. But we are supposed to gain our freedoms after the age of majority. I d go so far as to ban advertising to anyone under the age of majority, but this is a decent step in the right direction. i think I ll move to Europe soon.
[...] the French ban TV for children under three-years-old, now the French government is concerned about the negative health effects of mobile devices on [...]
[...] Down on Cell Phone Use by Children: Bans Advertising and Phones Designed for Kids”; First the French ban TV for children under three-years-old, now the French government is concerned about the negative health effects of mobile devices on [...]
[...] Read Eco Child’s Play for fun, creative and non-toxic ways to raise a family. First the French ban TV for children under three-years-old, now the French government is concerned about the negative health effects of mobile devices on [...]
In any other country in the world, people would look at a study like this and make a choice for their child based on new information and knowledge that is now out there in the world. In the U.S., so many people see it as an Attack on American Personal Freedoms. Why? Can you simply not accept that T.V. might NOT be good for the average tiny developing brain without allying such a study with Nazi Germany or Communist China? Of COURSE there are exceptions, such as the child with the hearing impairment mentioned above. But using the television as a babysitter for your kid and buying that B.S. that it’s all “developmentally appropriate” is a joke. Just try to pay enough attention to your kid so that he or she doesn’t choke on her Freedom Fries while watching Cinderella for the 200th time.
Well, my daughter is 3 years old and watches Noggin all the time. She was able to count to 20, 10 in spanish, and also do almost all her ABC’s before she was even two and a half. I don’t think it has a negative reaction on kids. It is all in the eye of the beholder. I have an 8 month old that is starting to form words quicker than my friends 1 year old that didn’t watch tv. So no, I think that it doesn’t have an affect on kids. My daughters are happy healthy children. well adjusted, and better manners than most kids her age.
For Americans, you must remember that France is much more of a socialist country than America and thus, the government has more control over such things. I happen to think that parents need to be informed of the repercussions and along with that, television stations should be more responsible for what they put on the air — yes, violence and stupid behavior can be choices but being exposed to them on tv all the time certainly doesn’t help. A little more effort from everyone would help. I have noticed that the younger generation is much more violent than mine (and I’m only in my early twenties). I think exposure had a lot to do with that — whether tv or video games or family life…or just life. If television stations aren’t going to make less mind-numbing and violent programs, then I think bravo to France for banning it. I was glad I didn’t have television in my house until I was 12 or 13 — I think it made a huge difference in my development as compared to my friends. Though I must say, I think a better solution globally would be to air more benign, educational, and informative programs that show more of a responsibility for the effect that they have on viewers (of any age).
Everybody here gets so upset about banning tv shows for little children but what about lead in toys or BPA? That should be the parent´s choice then too, right? I want to have the choice if I want to expose my child to lead or other toxic stuff, right? If studies show that tv is bad for the brain development in those important first 3 years then I don´t see why parents would get so mad about a law that is just trying to protect their children. Or is it indeed mere about taking away this so inexpensive babysitter?