Ask the Mediatrician

Does multitasking with media distract kids from homework?

Q: Every day, when my daughter comes home from school to start on her homework, she pops on the computer. She opens a streaming video window, a chat window, video chat, Facebook, iTunes, and then a Word window in which she starts working on her current writing project. The computer tends to stay on until she gets ready for bed. I think that is too much distraction when she should be focusing on school, but I also want her to develop the ability to regulate herself. Since she’s gotten mostly A’s in school, with only a few little blips, it’s hard for me to substantiate any bad effects this is having on her. Any suggestions?
-Much Ado about Multitasking in Menlo Park, CA

A: Dear Much Ado,

According to this Washington Post article, you and your daughter are not the only ones facing this situation. In fact, one report showed that when kids are doing homework on the computer, they are also doing something else 65% of the time. Regardless of the fact that lots of kids are doing it, this kind of multitasking does raise a lot of questions about the quality of thought and attention that students are able to maintain while rapidly switching between so many things.

Research from 2003 shows that when kids watched soap operas while doing homework, it took them longer to complete their assignment and they did not perform as well as when they did homework without media distraction.  In the 6 years since that study was completed, similar research has not yet been published on the learning effects of the hyper-multitasking environment we live in now. However, I can imagine that if just background TV produced lower quality work, then adding 5 computer programs to the mix is even more distracting.

While it’s great that your daughter is getting mostly A’s at the moment, short-term grades are not always an accurate reflection of her growing ability to think critically. By multitasking in this way, her brain is getting into a pattern of thinking superficially about topics rather than analyzing them deeply.  She may even be developing a habit of striving for "good enough", rather than the best she can do.

I would recommend having your daughter do her computer-based homework in a family area like the living room, where she may be less likely to spend time engaging with her friends and more time trying to get through an assignment because there are others nearby. If you are concerned that her work is suffering because of her multitasking, discuss your concerns with her. If she claims that multitasking makes no difference, have her do a trial run where she completes homework with no other windows open. Watch how her work progresses. She may be pleasantly surprised at how much more efficient and thoughtful her work quality is when she has eliminated distractions. And she may even realize that the sooner her assignments are completed, the more time she has to enjoy focusing soley on interacting with her friends at the end of the night. 

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician

My whole family enjoys Guitar Hero, but I’m concerned about the lyrics - what should I do?

Q: Several months ago, we purchased the Guitar Hero video game. I thought it was for my husband, but since then, we’ve added the drum set and a microphone to the collection. We’re now enjoying playing songs as a family with our 6-year-old daughter. We’re having a lot of fun playing the different instruments and trying new songs together, but I’m concerned about the suggestive or violent lyrics in many of the songs. Do you have any ideas for optimizing the benefits of playing together while minimizing the negatives?
-Rocking Out in Marlboro, MA

A: Dear Rocking Out,

One of the great things about games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band is that they can give players an easy way to connect with instruments and music even if they aren't able to play the real thing.  These games also provide some fun, positive ways to play and spend time together as a family.

Even with those benefits, though, the issue you raise is important. You are right to be concerned about the choice of songs—as you indicate, kids do pick up on what's being said in media, and music is no exception.  One study showed that boys and girls who listened to sexually demeaning lyrics became sexually active earlier, and advanced more quickly through various stages of sexual behavior, than those who didn’t.

For that reason, I’d recommend choosing songs carefully. Look up the lyrics of the songs that come with these games, and listen to them before you decide which songs to play with your daughter.  lyrics.com and azlyrics.com are good places to search.

Another benefit of games like these is that many people are becoming inspired to learn how to play the real instruments. Who knows, your daughter could end up a future Bonnie Raitt or Joan Jett!

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician

Is there anything wrong with letting my 18-month-old watch the episode of Sesame Street that he loves?

Q: I am the mother of a very active 18-month-old little boy who loves one particular episode of Sesame Street. Other than this one particular episode, he does not watch TV and for the most part, he's uninterested even if the TV is on. My question is, although I know children under two should be discouraged from watching TV, is it harmful for him to watch Sesame Street? This program does not have any commercials and seems harmless. Please let me know your thoughts; any information is much appreciated.
-Uncertain about Sesame, Norristown, PA

A: Dear Uncertain,

Pediatricians recommend limiting screen media before the age of 2 because young children learn little from screens. As far as the brain is concerned, the little time that kids are awake at this time of life is better spent doing other things. But, you’re right, screen media are not inherently toxic to this age group—they’re just not ideal.

Your son probably loves that particular episode because it’s familiar to him. He has mastered its sounds, songs, and images, so it feels comforting. But don’t confuse this kind of attention with learning -- your son is not at a developmental age where he is taking in the instruction on letters and numbers.

When he’s a bit older, however, watching the same episode of an age-optimal TV show over and over again will actually help him learn from it. Research shows that kids between the ages of 3 and 5 learn more each time they watch the same episode of a show like Blue’s Clues than they do from watching an episode only once. If he watches many of those shows before that age, though, he will no longer be interested in them when he’s old enough to truly benefit from them.

In short, know what you’re choosing for your son. Although an episode of Sesame Street will not damage him, spending that time playing with blocks or clay will do more toward building a flexible, resilient, and creative brain.
>>See other Q&A about toddlers and media

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician

My 9 year old is imitating Michael Jackson's dance moves, how can I talk to him about it?

Q: I have two kids, ages 6 and 9, and they are both big Michael Jackson fans. I don’t think the music is a problem, though some of the lyrics are, so I don’t let them listen to just any old song. But my question is about the dance moves in videos. The kids know they can get MJ on YouTube (my son simply presses the letter M, and Michael Jackson is the first suggestion), but I always insist on watching with them. My nine year old has recently started imitating the dance moves (crotch grabbing and all!). I am concerned that he doesn’t fully understand the implications of what he's doing, but I would like to explain it in a sensitive way, without embarrassing him. How should I handle that? Should I cut Michael Jackson out of the rotation?
-Dad of a Dancer in Toronto, Ontario

A: Dear Dad of a Dancer,

Your impulse to address this in a sensitive way is a good one. And you are right that he probably does not yet understand the implications of what he's doing, otherwise he likely would not do it in front of you. Though you might wish that your son had never seen that particular dance move, this situation actually presents an opportunity for you to have a matter-of-fact, unembarrassed discussion about provocative behaviors. And it is far better to address such behaviors within the safety of your own home than to have your child be embarrassed or punished in school for imitating them. 

To get the conversation going, I recommend focusing on MJ’s performance—not on your son’s. Talk very specifically about dance moves, asking questions like, “What do you think the moon walk is all about? What do you think the crotch grabbing is all about?” Ask your son what he thinks MJ is trying to communicate and what he likes about those moves. Once you’ve listened to his thoughts, ask him what he thinks he communicates when he does those same moves.

At the age of 9, your son knows that people have private parts and that it is not socially acceptable to display or touch or otherwise highlight them in public. You can explain that when he imitates the crotch grabbing, people may interpret that differently than he intends it. For example, he might think it’s just part of a cool dance, but because it draws attention to his crotch, it ends up being socially awkward and his classmates will probably tease him for it. Help him come to his own conclusions and develop his own strategies that are consistent with the kind of person he wants to be and present to his peers.

I wouldn’t suggest cutting MJ out of the rotation—that horse has already left the barn. But do continue coviewing with your sons. That way, you can help them become critical consumers of media by discussing with them what they see and what it means to them. And it’s a great way to establish an environment in which you are there to guide and protect them through the next few years, before they develop the ability to stand outside themselves and understand how they look to others.

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician

My local movie theatre offers "mom & baby" showtimes, should I go?

Q: There is a movie theatre near my home that has afternoon shows for moms, where they put out a changing table in the theater and don’t lower the lights all the way—but then they show very adult movies. What effect does being exposed to these movies have on infants and toddlers, most of whom are not talking yet?
-Skeptical about Screenings, Pacific Palisades, CA

A: Dear Skeptical,

This accommodation for moms certainly seems like a great convenience, but you are right to question its effects on the babies. Because the babies are not yet ready to talk -- a stage called "pre-verbal" -- it’s tempting to believe that they are not affected by what’s on screen. And it’s true that they probably can’t figure out the images in any meaningful way. So what’s the problem?

The main problem with this kind of arrangement is that babies are exquisitely attuned to their mothers’ feelings. Films geared toward adults often involve fear, violence, and/or sexuality, and if the films are any good, they are probably affecting the moms' emotions.  Babies will feel those changes in emotions, and they can form associations between mom’s emotional response and whatever is in the environment at that moment. For example, if a dog barks during a scary scene and mom’s adrenalin increases, the child may end up with an almost intangible fear of dogs.

Research shows that anxiety and fear responses tend to be tied to single exposures; in other words, becoming scared of something can happen even if someone's only seen it once. One study showed that some young adults who saw Jaws as children would not go into the water--not even swimming pools--even years later because they had such a deep fear of sharks.

These sorts of fears are easily formed in a baby’s brain, which creates 700 new synapses, or connections, per second. These synapses are created in response to whatever is going on around the baby. For that reason, parents should put their infants in environments that will build their brains the way they want them to be built. Movies made for adults are likely to have the opposite effect. When moms want to go to the movie theater, their best bet for helping to build their baby's brain to be strong and healthy is to hire a sitter and head out for some well-deserved fun without their little one.

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician

Will watching telenovelas harm my 2 year old?

Q: My husband and I immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in 2003, and since then, we had a son, who is now two years old. We have The Filipino Channel at home, and my husband and I watch telenovelas and variety shows on that channel all the time. Should we let our son watch with us?  I know some telenovelas can be emotional and disturbing. How will I know if they affect him negatively?
-Telenovelas at Two in Lubbock, TX

A: Dear Telenovelas,

It can be challenging for families—including those like yours that have recently moved to the U.S.—to stay in touch with their culture of origin. The Filipino Channel and other screen media can really help maintain that important connection. As you imply, however, the content that kids are exposed to really matters.  Your son may not understand disturbing content yet, but he will understand the tone of anger or the sound of distress which may cause fear as he gets older.  >>See related question: My 2 year old was scared by a Disney movie, what do I do?

Unless what is on screen is well-designed educational material for his developmental stage, he’s almost always better off doing something other than watching TV.  That’s not only true because the content might be disturbing, though. In addition, your son’s developing brain needs certain environments in order to grow as healthy and strong as possible. And even though The Filipino Channel may seem to help him connect with his culture, a screen isn’t an ideal learning environment for children his age—it doesn’t respond to or interact with him. Therefore, if you’d like to help your son connect with his culture, have him engage with it in the real world—by eating your favorite foods from home, for example, or reading books in your first language.

Watching telenovelas for yourself can be entertaining and may provide a connection you crave, so I recommend that you enjoy them after your son has gone to sleep.
>>See other questions and answers about media and toddlers

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician

Are any computer games okay for my 7 year old?

Q: I just read your answer about computer games for 2 year olds and it made me wonder if there are any good computer games for my 7 year old son?
-Questioning Computer Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

A: Dear Questioning,

Yes, there are computer games that are good for your 7 year old. Although we do not directly endorse any particular game maker, we can offer you a basic rule of thumb for picking out the good ones: Any game you share with your child should impart information, skills, and ideas that you want him to learn. Video and computer games are incredibly powerful teachers, and your son will learn whatever they contain.

Once you find a game you think might work (or that he has mentioned wanting to play), read any information you can find about it online, preferably reviews from other parents or from professional sites that you know how to use to guide your choices. Then, introduce the game by playing it with your child. This will be a great opportunity for you to become more aware of what he will experience as he plays, and it will also allow your son to show off his computer skills, which can give him a nice self-esteem boost.  

Doing this will also allow you to talk about the content with him. This is particularly useful if the game includes content that you’d prefer he not learn, since it gives you the opportunity to address it. Should you decide that you don't want him to play this game after what you've seen, use this as a learning opportunity for your child. Be up front by explaining that he won’t benefit from it and how it might harm him, and model for him that it’s okay to walk away from an unhealthy experience—even if you’ve already spent your money on it.

That said, many logic games, role-playing games, and socially conscious games can create very important virtual realities. Your child can learn a lot about a whole variety of topics, from natural science to social sciences to history, and play out his developing ideas in these virtual realities. Just note that even the most harmless seeming games often have some component of shooting or aggressive behavior because this is the easiest way to engage kids—especially boys—of this age group. Therefore, I recommend paying attention not only to the content but to also to the actions that are required to advance in the game.

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician

Aren't the lessons in violent or sexual media damaging regardless of how graphic they are?

Q: My 10 & 12-year-old children want to go to PG-13 and R rated movies with their friends, whose parents think that the sexual innuendo and violence “goes over their heads” because the movies don’t show the graphic details of the sex act or the actual bullet hitting the person. Aren’t the lessons implied and taught damaging to children regardless of the camera angle?
-Anxious about Angles in Winnetka, IL

A: Dear Anxious,

The argument that violence and sex go over kids’ heads is faulty for a few reasons. One is that PG-13 movies often do show bullet hits, and they can be incredibly violent (for example, see this review of PG-13 flick Surrogates). It’s true that sex is usually implied, but that is true in virtually all movies that aren’t rated NC-17. Let’s assume, however, that we don’t see bullet hits in PG-13 movies, and let’s acknowledge that most sexual activity in movies is implied. Does that mean that these elements go over kids’ heads?

Absolutely not. First, kids age 10 or 12 are not only very aware of sex but are also extremely curious about it. In fact, one of our studies showed that when even younger kids, between the ages of 6 and 8, watched TV shows with adult themes, like Friends, they were more likely to start having sex between the ages of 12 and 14. And, as you mention, there is all kinds of evidence that exposure to sexual media content—regardless of camera angle—forms and affects kids’ understanding of who they are and how relationships work.

With violence in particular, what is labeled as PG-13 is incredibly inconsistent. The rating system is not scientific or reliable because it simply reflects what the ratings board thinks parents will allow their kids to see—it has nothing to do with the effect on the child. Therefore, although ratings can be one form of guidance, it’s really up to you to figure out what is optimal for your individual children.  When making decisions, take into consideration what kinds of content your children have been exposed to already, whether you've discussed sex or relationships with them before, whether they tend to be scared by violence, etc.

If there are movies your kids want to see but you don’t feel comfortable with them seeing, explain to your them, as best you can, that these movies would affect them in harmful ways. You can say that just as you wouldn’t let them drive the car or drink alcohol at this age, you are not going to let them watch this movie right now. The goal is not to negotiate or plead but to share your rationale, in a spirit of respect and love for your kids, so that they understand why you’re setting this limit. Approach this as an issue of health and safety—because that’s exactly what it is.

>>Learn more about sex in the media
>>Learn more about violence in the media
>>See other Q&A about sex and violence

Enjoy your media and use them wisely,
The Mediatrician