Does TV viewing take the place of other activities, such as playing outside?

However, among four- to six-year-olds, who tend to have greater mobility and independence, there may be a connection.


Heavy viewers in this age group spend an average of 30 minutes less per day playing outside and eight minutes less per day reading than children who are not heavy TV watchers. It is not clear why this happens. For example, children who watch more TV may do so because they are unable to go outside or it may be that they do not go outside because they are watching more TV.