Watching TV all-time high among children

American children aged two to 11 are watching more television than they have in years.

New findings from The Nielsen Company show children aged two to five now spend more than 32 hours a week on average in front of a TV screen.

The older segment of that group (ages six to 11) spend a little less time, about 28 hours per week watching TV, due in part that they are more likely to be attending school for longer hours.

This trend of increased viewing among children mirrors the overall increase in media consumption.

While 97 per cent of children's viewing is through live TV, younger children spend more time than the older group viewing via DVR, DVD and, to a lesser extent, VCR.

Four per cent of children aged two to five watch via those devices on average across total day compared to 2.3 per cent for those aged six to 11.

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