Frightening photo collection shows the effect of TV on children

An eye-opening new photo collection shows the mind-numbing effects television has on children. In 'Idiot Box', Australian artist Donna Stevens' stark images show kids slack-jawed and expressionless as they stare at the screen. The Brooklyn-based creative says the series (shot while children watched TV) was an exploration into the 'co-dependent yet contradictory relationship' we all share with technology and the media. Stevens told i100.co.uk that she was inspired by her son’s interaction with the family iPad, “which slowly somehow became his iPad”.

She asks: "Should we exhibit more caution about the role of technology in our children's lives? Is our techno-paranoia warranted?  No matter what gadgetry we may possess, do our problems remain human?"

We're all guilty of getting lost in a trashy soap or midweek movie once in a while, but this will make us think twice about switching on and tuning out in future. [gallery ids="219540,219539,219538,219537,219536,219535"]