The television is constantly on in our home. I'm pretty sure it's doing more harm than good to my children, particularly when they are trying to read or do their homework. Is there any research that proves I'm right?
Katherine Forestier, education editor, responds:
You are not alone. Research statistics suggest that Hong Kong children watch more than three hours of TV a day. And it is not difficult to find ample research that proves you're right.
Hundreds of studies have linked TV with a wide range of problems for children - attention deficit disorder, aggressive behaviour and bullying, smoking, obesity, early sexual activity and poor school performance.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is so concerned that it recommends children watch no more than two hours a day, and those under age two watch none at all.
New Scientist magazine recently reported on studies published in the July issue of Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine which showed TV reduces children's learning ability, academic achievement and even their likelihood of graduating from university.
Robert Hancox of the University of Otago in New Zealand and colleagues studied nearly 1,000 children born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1972 and 1973. The researchers gathered data from both parents and children on how many hours a day were spent watching TV at age five, seven, nine, 11, 13 and 15. The team then re-evaluated participants at the age of 26.