Parenting Debate Forum - Turn Off the Tv!

Parenting > Parenting Debate Forum > Turn Off the Tv! (Page 1)

TOPICS DOCTOR QUESTIONS

How much TV should children above the age of 5 watch per day?

30 minutes
1 hour
1-2 hours
2-3 hours
more than 3 hours

8% [ 2 ]

25% [ 6 ]

37% [ 9 ]

20% [ 5 ]

8% [ 2 ]

Total Votes : 24

Q: Turn Off the Tv!

asked by: yogahoneybunny on June 23rd, 2007

Supporter

As a nanny, babysitter, aunt, and general kid lover...I've got to say that I think that the television disconnects kids from themselves. When we were little, our TV intake was fairly restricted...but I wish now that it had been cut even more!

TV should be used as a tool, not as a pacifier. It can educate, but it can also separate. Kids need to be outside, or using their imaginations. My husband and I do not own a TV right now...but about 99.6% of households in the U.S. do.Did you know that even Madonna doesn't have a TV in the house (just an interesting tidbit)?

What's your opinion? How much TV should kids be allowed to watch? When should kids be introduced to TV? At what age?

Replies(23)

Tylanas

replied on June 23rd, 2007

Especially eHealthy

I say 1-2 hours as a maximum, and even less is preferable. Some educational programs are an hour long, so I can't see watching less than that if you're using it as a tool. But as I view childhood as a time for interaction between the child the world, and the child people, TV is not good.

Mommy35

replied on June 23rd, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Eiri wrote:

I agree with .Eiri. There are some really good tv shows out there As a child we were never allowed to watch tv during the day. We went outside to play first thing in the morning and came in only to eat lunch, dinner, to take a bath and go to bed. The only exception was if we were sick, which wasn't very often or if the weather was below zero.

vanessalouanne

replied on June 23rd, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

i do think some programs are beneficial and educational. is id say between 1-2 hours, i also agree that physical activity and human interaction are vital . i think its like most things.. its fine when not done excessively.

Emma2

replied on June 25th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

i voted 1-2 but with exceptions...it all depends what they are viewing. I believe in educational programs not spongebob square pants... t/v is evil!

sillyakchick

replied on June 25th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

We got rid of our tv last summer and haven't missed it. We can watch movies onthe computer, but no commercials or "fear and propaganda" news reels ie "gang rape gang rape! more news at 11!"

Birch

replied on June 25th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

sillyakchick wrote:

We got rid of our tv last summer and haven't missed it. We can watch movies onthe computer, but no commercials or "fear and propaganda" news reels ie "gang rape gang rape! more news at 11!"

Al-ley-luu-yah!

I hate tv! All the way down to the buzzy noise it emits. I can hear it when I enter a room or house and a tv is on, even if the volumne is off. And yeah, sillyakchick, the awful news, where everything is the absolute worst it could be... "mosqituos killing old ladies at ten!" "are your green beans safe? This man says no! at eleven!" "just look at this spoon from a local grocery store's salad bar. could it kill you! It certainly could! more at five!"

Anyways, sorry, as far as kids go...i think it could be a treat, or a reward, to watch a specific program when you are younger. I've seen kids zonk out in front of "tv as babysitter". It's pretty effective, no doubt, and probably really nice for parents to do when they are exhausted. Heck, i don't blame 'em. But I'd like to think Wink

that I wouldn't let my kid do that.

Tylanas

replied on June 25th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Hahahaha XD You made my hour Smile

TMJWorld

replied on July 28th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Hey

I hate the tv. I grew up without one and i refuse to have one in my house now. THere are so many things to do other than sit on your butt and watch tv all day or even for an hour. id rather not waste any time on it at all.

Jules

replied on August 1st, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I think 3 or more hours a day is perfectly acceptable during the school holidays. I remember when me and my brother were kids we used to love getting up at about 7am and would watch cartoons for about that length of time. Then the rest of the day was spent out with our friends, playing and being active. I think it depends on the age of the child ('over five' is quite ambiguous - there's a big difference between a five year old and a fifteen year old) and also whether it is school time or holiday time.

sick_mama17

replied on August 3rd, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

As im home a lot, I have tv on a lot. Its on in the background all day. Its too quiet otherwise, I like it on. Jays not bothered about watching it much. I would say he watches maximum 1 hour of kids programs if that. He always watches a kids dvd before bed though, usually not the whole thing so again about 1 hour.

Morgan

bernibaby86

replied on August 7th, 2007

Experienced User

I'd say that 1-2hours of Tv is fine but no more than that. I dont want my daughter to be like my younger bro and sis..stayin up all night watchin tv and gettin no sleep.

unknownperson

replied on August 20th, 2007

Experienced User

If I ever have a kid, I won't own a TV. At a friend's house it would be ok, but in families TV has become a social interaction focus. I'd want my kid to learn from me and those around her or him; not what they see on TV. That includes good behavior.

I also want my child's opinions to be less manipulated.

And TV is very good at forcing group think onto people, or even biased views.

Breizzy

replied on October 26th, 2007

New User

I think its fine for kids to watch tv... in the winter the boys watch abou t 1-3 hours a day when they are off of school. I remember waking up early also to watch saturday morning cartoons before gymnastics.

We do have a bedtime tho,... and they have to read, and write in their journals before bed. So NO tv then.
I do think tho, it is used too much as a babsitter and not as a tool for learning. I monitor what my kids watch. TV is a personal choice or preference.
I also have my tv on at night to fall asleep. it is too quiet any other way.

ladylee70

replied on November 17th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I would love to get rid of the tv...I think love is strong word.... I just don't know if I can convince my husband to do that. We are so addicted to the television. I think it would take 6 months of withdrawal and then we would be fine. How do I convince my husband?? I don't think I can.

sillyakchick

replied on November 19th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

Don't convince him. Take it to the pawn shop, tell him it broke, and use the money to buy a cool game for the family to play. LOL

Tylanas

replied on November 19th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Withdraw really isn't that bad. I don't have a TV in my dorm room, and I actually haven't watched any TV anywhere since September! It was hard for the first week or so; but I didn't have TV so I couldn't do anything about it. About the only think I feel out of the loop on is movie previews!

angelinhiseyes2007

replied on November 27th, 2007

Experienced User

depends on what they are watching and on how old they are... i am very big on educational shows..

Katrinadoodle

replied on November 28th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

During school days, I say none. That's what my sisters have, and that's how it will be with my daughter. During school breaks and weekends though, as long as their homework is done, who cares? They don't watch it at all during the week, they get plenty of sunlight and exercise then. Let them have a break and veg out to Hannah Montana.

.. why did "don't watch" (do no' watch) get edited? o.O since when is that a curse?

' = t

Tylanas

replied on November 28th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

It's because don't watch spells twat lol.

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