Paediatricians warn of electronic media health risk

10.00am

Paediatricians are concerned about the negative health effects of electronic media such as television, computer games, the internet and videos on children.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), in a paper released in New Zealand today, warns that too many young children and pre-schoolers in New Zealand and Australia are having their physical and mental health put at risk by spending long hours in front of TV or computers.

The paper, Children and the Media: Advocating for the Future, says many parents need to monitor their child's use of all electronic media, not just TV, much more rigorously.

"Paediatricians both here and in Australia reviewed the best international and local research and the overwhelming evidence of 150 papers shows that the well-being of our children is being put at risk by electronic media." said Professor Brian Darlow from the RACP paediatric and child health division.

Conclusions of the report include:

* The average New Zealand household watches over three hours of TV a day;

* 51 per cent of New Zealand children watch videos or TV up to four hours a weekend and 64 per cent up to 10 hours during the week;

* 45 per cent of Australian children have TVs in their bedroom, 27 per cent a VCR, and 22 per cent a computer;

* 36 per cent of children in Australia say parents let them watch anything;

* By the end of school years more time will have been spent with electronic media than in the classroom.

The report says electronic media content can be harmful and is often not monitored by parents. It is passive and children are not interacting with their parents or others, and not getting the physical exercise needed for their age group.

The report also warns that electronic media are contributing to the alarming growth in obesity in children, and associated health risks in later life. In Auckland 14 per cent of children are now classified as obese and a much greater percentage are overweight.

Paediatricians say this deterioration is exacerbated by the fact that one third of the TV advertising in children's viewing time in Australia is for food; often fast food, soft drinks or snacks. Children are learning it is acceptable to eat continuously.

Other negative health impacts relate to copy-cat suicide, exposure to child pornography and sexual solicitation, disturbed mental health, increased eating disorders, poor physical health and development.

The RACP has developed two fact sheets for GPs and parents to guide them in using electronic media and protecting children from its abuse.

It also makes a number of recommendations to government agencies and health authorities, including increased regulation of food advertising aimed at children, holding food companies accountable for the negative effects of food advertising on children, and increased regulation of children's TV programmes to improve quality.

It also recommends improved advice from government and health authorities to parents on children and the media, and training of all health professionals to include an understanding of the effects of media on children.

- NZPA