Tokyo - The Japanese Paediatric Association says infants who watch too much television may experience delays in learning languages and may develop other problems such as avoiding eye contact with others.
"Long television exposure, particularly for those aged two or younger, reduces time they spend face-to-face with their parents and interferes with their linguistic and mental growth," the association said in a report.
The association said parents should turn off televisions when feeding their children.
Those aged two or younger should not watch television, the association said.
Children who have yet to enter grade schools should limit their daily television viewing to under two hours to ensure healthy growth, the association said.
The recommendations were based in part on reports from physicians across the nation.
The association will soon conduct a nationwide survey on the issue with help from its 7 000 member doctors.
A survey conducted last year by a Japanese non-governmental organisation showed infants tended to avoid eye contact more as their television viewing hours increased.
Physicians in other nations, such as the United States, have issued similar recommendations, telling parents to limit their children's exposure to television, reports said. - Sapa-AFP