No TV Week - Sensory Deprivation!
A likely consequence of too much screen viewing and not enough 3-D reality is called sensory deprivation. This happens when our senses our suppressed and it can happen from spending too much time in front of television, video games, and computers.

Some of the symptoms of sensory deprivation include diminished breathing, decreased awareness, disorientation, and disconnection from the outside world.

Over an extended time, sensory deprivation can atrophy all of our five senses. TV overstimulates our sense of sight while understimulating many of the other senses. When one sense is overstimulated while the other senses are neglected, the body slows down its functions and the central nervous system revs up.

Children are most likely experiencing sensory deprivation while watching TV if you notice the following:

  • vacant-eye stare at the television set
  • difficulty hearing name when called
  • little or no movement of body while watching
  • no response when talked to
  • more hyperactivity and/or crankiness after viewing
For optimal development children need to be immersed in an environment which will stimulate their senses simultaneously. Television cannot provide such an environment. But parents and teachers can.