Recently, I went to sign up my youngest daughter for Spring soccer. While I waited in line, there were four children huddled around a portable DVD player.

 "What are you doing?" a friend asked. "We're watching Freaky Friday — come on over."

 I thought this was ironic — signing up for a healthy, physical activity while performing a passive task (watching a movie).

A recent series of studies points to an alarming trend. Children spending more and more time in front of screens (TV, video games, and computers). This screen time is fast replacing reading, playing outside and active interpersonal interactions and problem solving in terms of total hours.

Several negative side effects are noted. These include a rise in childhood obesity from inactivity, attention problems in school and possible later acts of violence. (Yes, we do tend to behave in response to what we see!)

Recommendations to families to help counter this trend include having parents checking for the quality of programs children are viewing. (They are not all equal. Parents need to check for violence and other inappropriate materials.)

Also, make sure there is a balance in time for the child to have physical activity, family time and active problem solving.

_________________
Dr. Phil Scozzaro is a psychologist employed by Blick Clinic, Inc. He is an ad hoc faculty member of the University of Akron. E-mail phil2@mbusa.net .