Children who watch TV more likely to suffer behavioral problems, research says

Pre-school children who spend more than two hours a day in front of a screen are more likely to have short behaviour spans.

Pre-school children who spend more than two hours a day in front of a screen are more likely to have short behaviour spans and behaviour problems, research shows.

Compared to children with less than 30 minutes per day of screen time, the 13.7% who watched more than two hours each day were five times more likely to report clinically significant externalising problems.

Externalising disorders are often referred to as disruptive behaviour disorders and include oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.

Scientists from the University of Alberta, Canada, surveyed around 3,500 mum and child pairs. They had a 7.7-fold risk of meeting criteria for hyperactivity disorders, compared to children with less than 30 minutes of screen time.

The screen time included use of gaming and mobile devices as well as television screens.

Lead author Piush Mandhane, said: “We found that children with more than two hours of screen time per day had significantly more behaviour problems at five years of age.”

The study found average screen time was 1.4 hours per day at five years old and 1.5 hours per day at three.

Children watching a live TV performance recently 'heckled' children's TV star Andy Day after singing a song about bum cheeks on Good Morning Britain.

Andy Day, 37, who began presenting Cbeebies in 2007, was on the show with 14 of his biggest fans.

The Good Morning Britain presenters admitted they were "distracted" by the young guests and the studio was like a "crèche".

Explaining what he was going to perform, Andy said: "It’s a song about two bum cheeks who are best friends. I know...it’s early in the morning."

When host Adil Ray asked one of the kids if he liked the song 'Cheeky Friends' he shook his head.

Another child then put his hand up and started shouting out at Andy.

MB presenter Ranvir Singh said: "John, heckling you from the audience there. A little mini heckler."

Stunned Andy said: "I’m being heckled. So used to being heckled by a three-year-old."

On criticism, he said: "They’re very honest. It's such a great, rewarding thing to see their smiley faces and see them engaged."