HHS HealthBeat (September 18, 2012)

Violent TV and kids’ bad nights

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A study indicates that TV programs with violence – even cartoon violence that’s OK for older kids -- can keep 3- to 5-year-olds from getting a good night’s sleep. At Seattle Children’s and University of Washington School of Public Health, Michelle Garrison saw it in a study of 565 families. Some parents were encouraged to let kids watch only programs like “Sesame Street” and “Curious George.” The rest were not.

After a year, says Garrison:

“We really see significant improvements in sleep and that included things like decreased night wakings and nightmares, having an easier time falling asleep at night, being less cranky in the morning and just less tired during the day.”

The study in the journal Pediatrics was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: September 18, 2012