Researchers from the University of Otago have published a study that found young people who viewed more television tended to have poorer relationships with friends and family. This is perhaps the 1, 045, 874th study of this kind.
The study involved 3 043 New Zealand adolescents aged 14 to 15 in 2004, along with 976 15-year-old participants, between 1987 and 1988. Lead Researcher Dr. Rose Richards says some parents feel pressure to allow their kids to watch TV to ensure social acceptance amongst friends, but that “… our findings give some reassurance that it is fine to limit TV viewing, in fact, it may result in stronger relationships.” Dr. Richards also said that building strong relationships with peers and parents is important for a person’s healthy development from teenage years into adulthood. Limiting time spent in front of the television was one possible way to keep young adults on the track towards creating such relationships.
Furthermore, Dr. Richards added, “With the rapid pace of evolution in screen-based technologies, ongoing research is needed to monitor the effect they are having on the social, psychological, and physical well-being of young people.”
Co-authors on the study included Professor Rob McGee, Associate Professor Sheila Williams, Associate Professor Bob Hancox of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, and Dr. David Welch (now at the University of Auckland).
Otago Study: Limit Teens’ TV Time
