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BY CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Sorry, Baby Einstein. A new research from the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests television yields no proven educational benefits for children under the age of two. CBS News has more.

“Implicit in calling something educational means that a child, or whoever is going to be watching it, needs to understand the content and the context.’
“It’s unclear if television directly harms the developing brain, but the panel of experts says, at the very least, it takes away time better spent interacting with the real world.”

But this exposure might be hard to avoid. A writer for The New York Times says part of the problem is the average amount of screens in households have increased.

“The recommendations are an attempt to be more realistic, given that, between TVs, computers, iPads and smartphones, households may have 10 or more screens.”

But hold on says a writer for The Wall Street Journal. She provides some clarification to the AAP’s findings.

“Note, though, that the AAP guidelines don’t address interactive programs played on smartphones, tablets, computers or video game consoles. Instead, it applies to programs watched passively on screens including TVs, computers or phones.”

So, how to fix these tube troubles? In a press release, the AAP offers a few simple solutions.

“Set media limits for their children before age 2... Instead of screens, opt for supervised independent play for infants and young children during times that a parent cannot sit down and actively engage... [and] avoid placing a television set in the child’s bedroom...”

Some parents, like a blogger for Boston.com, say sometimes TV just does the trick.

“...The truth is, sometimes I need to brush my teeth. And when [my son] watches Yo Gabba Gabba, it's like I hit the kid with a stun gun. He watches in amazement, then he begins to squeal, and then he lopes around the living room, clapping his hands and performing a very admirable two-step jig.”

Although the AAP’s study has caused a stir, The New York Times reports there’s NO evidence suggesting early exposure to TV actually causes long-term developmental problems.
 

Transcript by Newsy.