Computers & TV and kids

Julie - posted on 04/23/2010

I used to play Barbie's all the time with my sister when I was a girl. And then I played them with my daughter until she was four. After that she didn't like them anymore. My son played pretend with different toys such as rescue heros or trains. He made them talk to each other and used his imagination. I thought it was good play.

Sarah - posted on 04/22/2010

Victoria, those are the exact things I used to do as a little girl. I LOVED climbing trees, playing with legos, going fishing, rolling blading, etc lol. I hated Barbies!

I think I definitely have a problem with using the computer and watching t.v. too much! I feel like I'm on facebook and stuff waaaay too often & I, of course, have my favorite t.v. shows that I watch. But, it does seems like the t.v. is just on all the time. I don't want to make bad habits for my son. Once he gets older, I'm hoping to encourage him to get out and play in the yard more rather than sit around and watch t.v. like I do. Luckily his daddy loves to get out and play sports & do outdoorsy stuff, so hopefully my son will enjoy being active, too. Maybe it will encourage me to get my rump off the couch!

Victoria - posted on 04/22/2010

Now see as far as background noise, we have a Christian cable music station, so generally if it's on for the purpose of background noise that's exactly what it is or maybe something like veggie tales, which I really don't mind as even if they are not watching it, at least something christian & educational is going in, and I actually much prefer that, then them playing with dumb no brain toys like barbies and such, but even when they have been watching tv, they get distracted and it ends up just being something in the background that they are not paying attention to. I have three girls & I have to say am little impressed with the toys they aim at girls today, littlest petshop, barbie & Polly pocket. I grew up climbing trees & playing with lego & yet that seems like such a taboo for girl again. At least some of the shows like Dora & Ne Hi Kiyan have positive role models for girls and my girls will play along, exploring and making crafts in front of the tv for things like Art attack or mr maker.

Julie - posted on 04/21/2010

I don't use TV for background noise -- for one, I like quiet alot. And second I agree with Cheryl, my son would stare at it, no matter what it is -- even commercials. He needs it off to play. I don't think an hour is too long. I always used TV as a rest time for my kids. They dont' take naps anymore, so an hour of TV (or longer if it's a movie) really refreshes them actually. Then I tell them to find something else to do. I was being less worried about keeping my son off the computer the last few days, and today he played a half hour and got off himself!! So I was impressed. I never thought that would happen. I usally make him get off after 1 hour. I'm trying to focus on not letting this cause conflict in our home. I'm sure that it's more important that I'm kind and loving then making sure they are spending so many hours being active. They DO get out and play so I should loosen up a bit! I've been so much less angry these past few days since I decided that.

Cheryl - posted on 04/20/2010

I have actually been thinking about this alot lately too. I know the APA had recommendation on the amount of screen time children are exposed to, tiered by age. Now that it's getting warmer, my almost 7 year old daughter doesn't hardly want to go outside. She wants to stay in a watch shows and movies and play computer games. We don't have dish or cable, but we have Netflix. We don't even have Wii, DS, or any of that, just a handful of CDROMS for the computer and a VSmile.
But i was just talking to my husband about setting a daily limit that they can choose how they want to add it up, like 3 hours total or something. SO if they want to watch a movie before dinner (our down time while baby is napping), they know they only have an hour during the day.
They're only 5 and 7, so 3 hours seems reasonable to me. Does that seem like too much?? I agree, our computer games are fairly educational and they're not watching mindless tv, most of the netflix tv they watch are PBS shows like Super Why, Caillou, and Aurther and Nick shows like Dora. But I don't want them just sitting there all day. I don't care if you think it's just on for background noise, if their sitting and staring- they're not doing other things. We turn on music for background noise.

Anne - posted on 04/19/2010

Unfortunately they're putting a lot of technology in the world! It can be a good thing or a bad thing to me! Depends on how you use it! I don't write as much I type more now! My kids have been introduced to computers at school at a young age and schools are having kids do more on computers these days! As long as my kids are using the computer for good use they can be on it occasionnally! I'm 31 yrs old, but would like to keep old traditions more. I feel families aren't doing as much together these days because their kids are wrapped up or adult is wrapped up in all the technolgy. My nephew is a good example he plays video games all the time because his mom doesn't want to deal with him & video games keeps him entertained! I hope I'm making a good point! Limited use is alright, but if kids are being entertained by these things and it's affecting the family then it's not worth it! My 9 yr old would be on the computer all the time, but I give her a set time limit and she has adjusted to my rules! We haven't had cable for along time, but watch movies/cartoons! Cable around my town is expensive and I don't view it as a necessity! It's hard seeing kids get upset when they don't want to follow rules, but in the long run it's to their benefit. God our father gives us rules to live by and as the parents we need to guide our kids with rules to live by too!

Victoria - posted on 04/19/2010

My kids use the computer, not a ton, but a fair bit, they have DS's and a Wii. After the fist little while where they went nuts when they first got them, they now only use them a little. They play the Wii, maybe 2 times a week, the DS's for maybe an hour at a time and that only a couple of times a week, and their computer very ocationally on sites like webkinz word. My 8 year old also use it on educational sites like funbrain. TV they watch, but it's usually a back ground noise while they are doing other things and if they are watching, it's maybe for a couple of shows on a saturday morning or after school. we have a No TV/DS etc rule on school mornings & Sunday mornings before church.

Julie - posted on 04/18/2010

I really messed up again tonight. I made my little 5-year old feel very guilty about playing on the computer and he cried and cried. I'm thinking actually he's very gifted in computers and I should encourage him. He's not playing mindless games. He is exploring the computer such as windows and paintbrush, and how it works. He does also play good games too. He knows so much. I prayed about this and then I came across some old notes I took from a book entitled "Walking in Love." I feel God is answering me. It said "Give the gift of freedom. People will love you for it. It does not mean letting children do whatever they want but it means learning the balance between your being in control and God's bveing in control. Make sure the atmosphere in your home is relaxed, not one tht makes people feel if they don't please you all the time tension will fill the air and tempers will flair. Relax. Loosen up a bit. Give the gift of freedom. Don't be afraid that if you don't make your dreams come true, you will lose out in life. Jesus has given us freedom. Allow everyone the joy of knowing it.



I think I will re-read all my notes and renew my thinking. Thanks for the comments, it was helpful. Especially about the Wii and how they played it so much for two months and then lost interest in it. It didn't hurt anybody.

Jill - posted on 04/18/2010

your the only one that can say what is too much or not .... my older kids are 7 and 5 .. they go on the computer like 1 a month or so for a couple hrs and they get it out of there system... it has to be a rainy day ... stuck in side kinda day.... my tv is always on ... are they addicted to it? i don;t believe so... they do other things like play toys etc... its on for background noise...my 19 month old watches blues clues videos alot...is he addicted ?no i just think he enjoys them... if you see that these things are causing problems because of there use then it is a problem... kids learn alot of stuff using computers... plus they use them in school.. my kids have a WII... they played for 2 months straight all day... but so did me and my husband... now they hardly play...don't be so hard on yourself ...or them... find a happy medium.. set time limits... play outside when it is nice and limit the indoor stuff for rainy days....

Heather - posted on 04/18/2010

I personally think that our society puts to much value into technology... My kids are still young, so I am probably not qualified to counsel you on this, We do not have, and will not get cable, because it does become addicting. It is much harder to be addicted to the same shows that you have seen millions of times. It is also easier to monitor what they are watching. Our kids are not old enough to really play on the computer. My husband has allowed them to play sometimes for a few minutes, but not even once a month... They have some educational sights on the computer that I have been thinking about letting the kids play with... but right now, they don't really.



My suggestion is to set a rule, and stick with it. Let them know what you will allow, such amount of time, and only after your school work and chores are done... or something like that.