Experts debunk 1980s household myths about TV, gum and more

People who grew up in the 1980s were often warned about a string of household dangers that are now widely regarded as myths: sitting too close to the television permanently ruins your eyes, swallowed chewing gum stays in the stomach for seven years, popular songs hide satanic messages, you must wait to swim after eating, a penny dropped from a skyscraper can kill, and cockroaches alone would survive a nuclear blast. These claims circulated through families, schools and entertainment during the decade but have since been questioned or disproved by medical experts and scientific testing.

Sitting close to a television set was a frequent parental admonition. Modern eye specialists say close viewing can cause temporary eye strain and discomfort, especially during long sessions, but there is no evidence it produces lasting damage to vision. Simple measures such as taking breaks and ensuring adequate room lighting can reduce short-term strain.

The notion that swallowed chewing gum remains in the stomach for years appears to be more scare tactic than science. While gum base is not digested in the same way as most foods, it travels through the digestive tract and is excreted without...