More TV Time for Kids Means More Stress to Parents, Research Reveals

According to a study, the more TV time children have, the more stressful it is to parents. 

Because schools and daycare centers are closed, it changed the life of many parents. Their lives changed so that their children are now always home, meaning that they will not be able to take their usual break when their kids are at school.

Because of this, parents turn to TV time for their children to give themselves a break and relax. However, it appears that when children have more TV time than usual, it adds more stress to parents. 

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Why does more TV time add stress to parents?

The reason is that the more TV time children have, the more they are exposed to ads. And the more ads they see, the more likely they will insist on buying items when they go shopping with their parents and may even make a fuss if told "no." And all these may add more stress to parents. 

Based on the study's authors, the more ads that children see, the more they will ask for things, and the more conflict there will be. After all, ads and commercial content are there for a reason. It is to make the people who have seen them buy the products that they are selling. Their goal is to make people buy things, even those that they do not need.

So, if tactics like these are effective for adults, children can also be affected by these. 

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More TV Time for Kids Means More Stress to Parents [Research Reveals]

There are also cases right now where ads are aimed at children. Often, it features lots of bright colors, upbeat music, and catchy characters that are convincing enough since children are not fully developed yet to know the intent of such ads. Ads like these for children are made to feel excited. They do many things to jack up the child.

Since children have not grown fully yet, they can't pull themselves back, which is why it is an unavoidable issue for them. 

It is safe to say that children are more exposed to content like that because of their added TV time, adding more stress to parents. On the other hand, there are ways that parents can resolve this. 

ALSO READ: Parents Ask: How to Teach Kids to Be Good Digital Citizens

How to limit children's TV time?

They can limit their children's screen time, talk to them about what the intent of media contents and ads are, and talk them through consumerism and why they want to buy things that they see online despite not needing them. 

The reason why parents chose to plop their kids in front of the TV and let them watch the shows they want is valid. They want to take a break and relax, even for just a short period.

Parents need to think about the effects of this not only on their children but also on themselves. And although taking care of their children nonstop can be a stress to parents, the impact of more TV time - where children are more exposed to media ads - can add more to that stress. 

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