Colman Noctor: Watching TV with your child can be educational for you both

"Research from the American Academy of Paediatrics (2020) supports joint media engagement with television shows. The researchers found that when parents watch and discuss content with their children, it improves comprehension, critical thinking, and emotional understanding"

Watching TV with your child can be an opportunity to understand their interests and help them navigate challenging emotions. Picture: iStock

WHEN I raise concerns about how technology affects children’s development, I often hear the retort, ‘They said the same about television and that turned out OK’. In response, I point out that web-based screen use is entirely different, because the online space is unregulated, interactive, and immersive.

The common perception of screen time has long been negative, and there’s justification for it. Excessive screen use has been connected to sleep disturbance, obesity, and even attention difficulties. However, like any tools, screen devices aren’t inherently good or bad. It all depends on how they’re utilised.