Low stimulating TV parenting fad or evidence-based?

If you are a parent and have been active online you've probably come across the terms "low stimulating TV" or "slow TV" but is it really better for children?

What Is Low-Stimulating TV?

Low-stimulating television is more calm and slower-paced and thought to be less stimulating for children and therefore less disruptive to their developing brains.

Characteristics of low stimulating TV include:

• Slow scene transitions

• Soft, natural colours

• Calm voices and music

• Simple visuals

  
  

Characteristics of high stimulating TV include:

• Fast cuts between scenes

• Loud sound effects

• Bright flashing colours

• Constant motion

  
  

So what does the evidence suggest?

Unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot of research in this area. The most well known research was conducted by American researchers Lillard & Peterson (2011). This became colloquially known as the “SpongeBob” study as this was the cartoon shown to children in the study. The findings were as follows:

• 4 year old children who watched a fast-paced cartoon (SpongeBob) performed significantly worse on executive function tasks (e.g. working memory, ability to self-regulate).

  
  

• Compared to:

  • 4 year olds who watched educational TV OR

  • Took part in a colouring exercise.

There were some limitations of this study though. Firstly, children were only examined for a short time (9 mins). There was only one age group (4 year olds) that were examined. Other factors e.g. cognitive ability were not accounted for. There was also no examination of long-term impact.

What is the take home message?

Choosing slower paced, educational TV shows can attenuate the negative short-term effects of high stimulating TV in young children. However, more research is is required to examine the long-term effects of high-stimulating TV on children.