Kids Watching T.V. Good or Bad?

Question

I know that a lot of parents let the television raise their children and then are surprised at the results. So I was wondering, what's your opinion? Is T.V good or bad? Better in small doses, controlled, or not at all?

Think about what is on the T.V. Shows like the O.C Laguna Beach, the Simpsons, Gossip Girl, VH1, MTV, BET, Spike (while having CSI reruns also has other racy things). They've said that the more television a child watches, the more they seem to have behavior problems, attention problems. They don't get as much exercise as a child who doesn't watch t.v., they don't have as good imaginations, they don't seem to want other's company as much. What they know of the world seems to come from t.v.

So what are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I think that having a kid be raised by a television is horrible. If you were to think about it logically, obviously no TV would be best  - no media influences on how the child thinks and they would be better academically (studies show children who watch less than 1 hour of TV per day score the highest on SAT tests). However, you also have to think realistically, and know that if you watch TV your child will watch TV.

I don't see anything wrong with some evening time television watching as long as they've been outside playing all day, or been active mentally. It's a nice breather/relaxer.

I also think that TV should be monitored by parents and that they shouldn't allow their children to watch programs like Gossip Girl, Laguna Beach, MTV and other racy programs, those are meant for older people - such as adults.

Gossip girl in particular is about a bunch of 15/16 year old spoiled rich kids going out and having s*x , drinking, partying and other things (I originally thought it was about college students) - I must admit I watch the show on occasion, but I would not in a million years let my kids watch it.

Answer 2

I think anything is fine in moderation.  My kids are 7, 5 and 4, and only watch age appropriate shows (on Noggin or Nick Jr.)  But they also play outside all the time, haev a great group of friends, and are great kids overall.  I don't go crazy restricting TV - I think it makes it the forbidden fruit and that more appealing then.  Like right now, my kids just finished dinner and I let them watch it for about a half hour before we start baths, etc.  So the TV is on (Blues Clues), but 7 year old is reading a book, my 5 year old is working on a puzzle, and my 4 year old is talking to herself while playing with her dollhouse.  And we just spent the last 2 hours outside (prior to that they were at camp).  So, I think they're fine with the TV they watch!

Answer 3

i guess tv is ok in small amounts...like an episode a day. thats what my parents do. they let me watch one episode of whatever i want every day, then they kick me outside to play with the dog, then i come back in and read or something. and sometimes, like today, i am allowed to use my computer instead of tv.

Answer 4

as a single parent its hard to spend all my time with my little girl,washing,cooking and work still needs to be done!but i do control everything she watches.we dont really watch tv,i have many dvds for her which im happy for her to watch,some are educational some are fun,but i always know what she is watching!im her mum,i will teach her about the world myself,we dont need tv to do that!!!!

Answer 5

I dont believe this, granted though, my kids only watch Disney and PBS...all the times that I spent teaching my children how to count, alphabet etc..they would never pay attention to me, then one day I see them watching mickey, and he's counting, and my son is counting with him!  My kids love to go outside, they love to play, my son is constantly building "roller coasters" or train tracks(he's 3)He's an incredible actor, as is my daughter, and they love to be around people.  They're completely normal kids...and they have watched alot of tv in their life...I believe that it has to do with how you are with them...you dont just prop your kids in front of the tv(unless you really need to clean!!)  Sit with them talk to them about whats going on get them involved.  even when their older and they are watching shows like CSI and everything else, ask them what they think about it, does it scare them, does it intrigue them, etc...As for exercise, I work out with my children every morning, get them interested in something thats active...every child is different but I know mine would rather be outside then watching TV..

Answer 6

I say when it's controlled and limited it's just fine.  As long as the shows are family friendly as well that makes it even better.  My toddler is limited to 2 hours a day.  He doesn't even really sit still and watch it then.  He prefers playing with his match box cars and hot-wheels and coloring with mommy.  :)

If your child sits in front of the TV all day, it's not healthy.

Answer 7

TV is fine, but it's good parents who limit both the time and who supervise the types of shows. Not leave the tv to be a babysitter - that tends to be a big problem.

Answer 8

My son watches Noggin. And he says WOW WOW WOW like Wubbzy and BOO! and "clue" so it is actually teaching him words (he is learning how to talk and can't say many words). He also loves to listen to the songs and dance. It can be on for hours and he will go play for awhile and come back for a snack and watch some tv and run off an play again so it isn't taking up his entire day because he'd much rather be playing or getting into trouble some how. He'd MUCH rather be outside, but we don't have much of a yard so we are couped up inside all day.

Answer 9

There's a huge, huge difference between letting your child watch TV and letting the TV raise your child.  Anything in moderation is fine - for life not just for TV.  Obviosuly you want them watching something appropriate for their age range.  I - and everyone i know - grew up watching TV.  We respected our parents & adults and hung out of trees, built huts, played on bikes, were into sports, most of us have associates, bachelors or higher qualifications.  I think society just likes to find problems by looking at  extreme cases.  And really I think the problem with behaviour is because there's no discipline for wrong behaviour and there's a reduced work ethic within the population.  But hey, TV is easy to blame because that way parents aren't accountable.

Answer 10

good in small doses, you dont want to completley shelter a kid from the bad stuff out there in the world, beause eventually, they will become rebellious. but if he or she is over exposed, tv will turn into a big influence on their life...

Answer 11

I think that limited television is completely fine. My aunt gets really upset that I let my 2 year old watch tv, but I do not see the harm in it. I don't let him watch anything horrible, just sesame street, dora or blues clues. I would rather him watch something like that, than the cartoons that we used to watch when we were kids. At least these are educational, and I can get in a shower or finish dinner when my child is being clingy.

Answer 12

I think the TV can be entertainment, but it needs to be controlled. There are some good learning shows on, or we watch the discovery channel together, which you actually learn from. I do not agree with allowing your child to sit in front of the TV all day, as a parent it is your job to raise your children. Yet, I enjoy TV occasionally and will not deprive my children of that enjoyment either. My daughter loves some of the reading programs on PBS during the week days.

We have TiVo and we set it up to record certain programs, so if we are busy we can watch "appropriate" programs later. So all in all I am not black or white minded on this subject. There are pros and cons to it. I think it is the parents job to balance and put restrictions (based upon appropriate age range) of their children.