TV Watching and Computer Use in U.S. Youth Aged 12–15, 2012

Excessive screen-time behaviors, such as using a computer and watching TV, for more than 2 hours daily have been linked with elevated blood pressure, elevated serum cholesterol, and being overweight or obese among youth.  Additionally, screen-time behavior established in adolescence has been shown to track into adulthood. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-supported Expert Panel and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children limit leisure screen time to 2 hours or less daily.

A new report presents national estimates of TV watching and computer use outside of the school day.

Key Findings from the Report:

• Nearly all (98.5%) youth aged 12–15 reported watching TV daily.
• More than 9 in 10 (91.1%) youth aged 12–15 reported using the computer daily outside of school.
• In 2012, 27.0% of youth aged 12–15 had 2 hours or less of TV plus computer use daily.
• Among youth aged 12–15, girls (80.4%) were more likely to use the computer 2 hours or less daily when compared with boys (69.4%).
• Fewer non-Hispanic black youth aged 12–15 (53.4%) reported watching 2 hours or less of TV daily than non-Hispanic white (65.8%) and Hispanic (68.7%) youth.