 News
23rd October 2006
Children under two should never watch TV
Watching too much television in childhood could cause autism, experts
have warned.
Researchers from Cornell University in New York, have estimated
that just under 40 per cent of autism diagnoses studied were linked to
watching TV.
A team led by Dr Michael Waldman discovered and 'awfully
suggestive' link between the increased number of children diagnosed with
autism and the availability of children's DVDs and television channels.
The scientists used rainfall levels in various parts of
the States to determine how much time children spent outdoors.
They found higher occurrences of autism in the wettest areas
where it was assumed children spent more time watching TV.
They also discovered that areas with high use of Cable TV
also had high incidences of autism.
Dr Waldman said, "We ran the tests a number of different
ways, and basically, every way we run it, we get the same thing. If it
rains more, autism goes up. If it rains less autism goes down.
"Our view is there is no obvious thing correlated with
both rain and cable TV access except television viewing.
"We are not claiming we have definitive evidence. But
we have evidence that is awfully suggestive of a link between watching
TV and autism."
He recommended those under two did not watch any TV at all,
while older youngsters limited their viewing to an hour or two a day.
If television is linked to autism, it must occur early in
life as most cases of autism are diagnosed in the first three years of
life.
However, many parents have reacted angrily to the findings
which suggest they may have harmed their children's health by allowing
them to watch TV.
And autism charities say the rise in autism is down to better
awareness of the condition and improved diagnosis.
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