The Toddler’s Brain On Modern Television

Is is possible for “educational” technology to inappropriately stimulate and harm the developing brain? “…this is important because we’re technologizing childhood today in a way that is previously unprecedented.” Forty years ago, children began watching some television at age four (like calm speaking Mr. Rogers); now they start as infants with the rapid, high stimulation (like Baby Einstein and Powerpuff Girls).

Does modern TV precondition the mind to expect high levels of stimulation which leads to inattention and developmental problems later on? What happened to mice who were exposed to modern television for six hours a day for 42 days?

The humorous Dimitri Christakis details his private research in the TED talk below.