Is a television OK in a child's room?

Carola - posted on 08/08/2010

We do the portable DVD thing and it works wonderfully - my younger son - 6 spends most of his time outside and the older one - 8 - spends most of his time reading - occasionally they do enjoy the freedom of taking the potable DVD player into one of the boys rooms and watching it. This set up doesn't keep them from doing other (more important, to me!) activities like playing outside or reading. And, of course, they both love that "big boy feeling" of being able to watch a show that THEY have picked out - not mommy & daddy! Even though we have veto power :)

~Jennifer - posted on 08/08/2010

Thank you for your responses to this question.

Jamie - posted on 08/08/2010

I have two children. One 7 and one almost 4. They both have had TV's in their rooms since they were about two. They are both very active outside and are very in shape. There is a balance you have to keep if you give them a TV. Don't let them use it at bedtime. My youngest is only allowed to watch what used to be noggin, but now is nick Jr, it is very educational, she has learned a lot from it. My oldest is only allowed to watch that or the Disney channel. We ensure they do not change the channel by taking the remote away and hanging the TV high enough they can't reach it. I love that they have TV's in their rooms...if I'm cleaning the house I can send them to their rooms and have them watch TV or one of their movies and then they are not under my feet while I am trying to get things cleaned. When I'm done we all go out to play for a few hours. If you get him a TV, you have to keep a balance.

Imelda - posted on 08/08/2010

I honestly think it depends on the child's personality. Nowadays, you see kids more in tune to their cell phones, video games, or the Internet. What is the difference? I am a single mother with a 3 and a half year old daughter. She has a portable dvd player which honestly, she only watches when she wants to control which scenes she wants to watch. When our TV is on, it's on preschool shows only. Same with computer time. I also think it greatly depends on the child's age. Toddlers do not isolate themselves like teenagers do! I don't like either /or -- I prefer to give my daughter the accessibility and setting limits.

Sharon - posted on 08/08/2010

My oldest is 36yr and youngest is 22yr. Never allowed TV in their rooms. We didn't even have a TV most of the first 14 years of our first child's life. It was heaven! We did a lot of reading and family time. When we did get one we did not allow it to be on anytime the kids wanted to watch it. We sat down as a family to watch TV. We had numerous reasons for not allowing TV or Computers in their rooms, many of the same reasons already posted. Now most of my kids (I have 8) monitor the family TV and computer uses.

Lisa - posted on 08/08/2010

I'm with you Kimberly. My Son is 8. His friends have them...and so go the pleading. BUT I believe sharing is important, so we onlt have 1 TV in the house and we need to work together to make appropriate choices. If he has one in his room, even if onlt for DVD's he will watch more TV and that can't be good. And I want him to "hang out" with us, not retreat to his bedroom. Good luck!

Jackie - posted on 08/08/2010

It may be an inoccuous idea to do this for a 5 year old, but in the long run, the bedroom should be a place of rest. To have a TV in the room is anything but restful. And besides... where will you send him for a 'time out'? LOL - Maybe put *his* TV in another room or location, but not his bedroom. Compromise.

Debora - posted on 08/08/2010

Nope, there is too much on tv that is not wholesome for kids. Even some kids programmes are filled with adult themes. You dont have follow what others do, do what is best for you child. Let him play outside if that's what he enjoys. Television really does affect our children sadly in think in more bad ways than good.

Mary - posted on 08/08/2010

I agree with Heather Williams' comment. It's about moderation & supervision, regardless of where the TV is. I don't put strict limits or guidelines on how much my kids watch; instead I've chosen to do much like Heather, and offer up a wide variety of activities. My kids watch TV, play video/computer (non-violent & mostly educational) games AND they go outside to play, go to the park, play "pretend" & w/toys, enjoy sports & bike riding, crafts, etc. I also agree that kids need down time to de-stress just as much as adults. I do my best to provide a combination of structured/organized activities and some free/unstructured time with which they plan & manage their own activities. My son starts Kindergarten in a couple weeks and my daughter starts 2nd grade and she is performing on about the same level as Heather mentioned her child does. If you think your son is capable of handling a TV in his room & you can still keep an eye on his TV watching habits then I see no problem with it. As for my family, we have a 2nd TV in our w/o cable access, but it does have a DVD player & a Wii console, in mine & my hubby's bedroom, simply b/c there's no where else to put it. My ideal situation would be to have either an study/office space or 2nd living area that would house computers/2nd TV w/Wii and the kids games/craft supplies.

Carly - posted on 08/08/2010

The sooner you teach them self control and moderation the better. Giving them limits to 'sometimes foods', 'sometimes activites' such as TV, computer, games etc can only set them in good stead to make the right decisions for themselves later in life. Banning every day technology that we as parents use (and how many of us are sitting here on the computer instead of interacting with our children at this very minute? Be honest!) doesn't do anything but create a child who is going to 'overdose' on it at the first chance.

Debbie - posted on 08/08/2010

hi,
all my kids have tv, video, dvds in their room. none of them are hooked up to the satellite. they are only allowed telly on when they go to bed and when they wake up. we turn it all of when they are asleep. we have noticed that since the tv has broken in the back bedroom our son is very reluctant to go to sleep.

Christina - posted on 08/08/2010

We would not allow it because it encourages children to isolate themselves. There is alot of research that Attention Defecit Disorders are linked to an excess of TV watching.

Paula - posted on 08/08/2010

I have 3 yr old and a 5 yr old daughter. We put a TV in their room, and i think it was a great idea. They dont watch it often, and NEVER before bed, but sometimes when they have friends around and its cold or raining, its great for the adults to be able to sit in the lounge kiddie free - the TV normally acts as background entertainment while they play. The TV is controlled from the remote in our bedroom so only we can change the channels. I wouldn't necessarily encourage it, but i think its ok if its monitored properly.I encourage my kids to play outdoors or be creative, so they don't spend a lot of time in front of the TV anyway.

Jessica - posted on 08/08/2010

There are a lot of things to consider. I agree that if you do have one, it would be best not to hook it up to cable. My son loves watching Toy Story, but he will watch it and watch it and watch it, so if we had a TV in his room, he wouldn't never stop watching it. I don't think I would ever put a TV in my son's room. We have a little play corner in the basement for him where we have a TV set up, but he only watches it for a limited time and then we shut it off. Another thing you would have to consider when putting a TV in a young child's room is that they can pull it down ontop of themselves. Kids love to climb and to me, that is a huge risk that I would never want to test. For my son, he'll just have to learn that just because someone else has something doesn't mean he is entitled to the same. Good luck with your decision :)

Steph - posted on 08/08/2010

Our daughter got a TV for Christmas when she was 9 but it does not get any channels and never will. We had been allowing her to watch one DVD show at night on the portable player but after a few scares with that (overheating in bed sheets after she fell asleep, rolling over on it) we decided that a 13" tv with a built in DVD player wasn't any different and is certainly safer.

Only you can decide if it is a good idea or not. BUT I will advise not getting him one just because his friends have one. You seriously DO NOT want to go there so early.

Good luck with your decision and remember- you know your son best. don't let anyone talk you into a decision.

MINDY - posted on 08/08/2010

My son has had a t.v in his since he was 3 he is now 7.We have hooked up to our satalite but the only channels he watches are the kids.But it`s nice because he can go in there and watch what he wants to watch and if we`re watching a movie he can`t see.He can also play his video games in there too which he`s only allowed on weekends for a few hrs.And trust me when he`s in his room he does`nt always have his t.v on.It hasn`t effected our family in any negative way we are very close and loving.

Elisa - posted on 08/08/2010

Good for you Cinda - I imagine your kids are far more connected to the world too. TV watching is okay, in moderation, and in a family room, not in a bedroom. That is my opinion and that of several evidence-based published studies.

Jennifer - posted on 08/08/2010

My sisters' kids are a lot older than mine so I was able to see what NOT to do. ;) Her girls had a TV in their room from the time the youngest was two. It is now the only way they can fall asleep at night -- by watching a movie.
My daughter (5 yrs. old) gets to watch TV in bed during the rare times when she is too sick to hang out with the rest of the family. And that's in our room, not hers. It's a special occasion treat and, therefore, I don't feel guilty about it.

Cinda - posted on 08/08/2010

Our 16 and 20 yr. olds don't have TV's in their rooms. Most of their friends probably do, but they don't live at our house. : )

Elisa - posted on 08/08/2010

NO. As a clinician, and as a mom I say that a tv in a child's room is a terrible idea. Our country has a weight problem and a concentration problem that is made far worse by too much tv watching. Get kids outside, playing, using their imagination, focusing on arts and crafts projects and team sports. Enough of this mindless, quick-paced nonsense on tv - it is not good for the mind or the body.

Please look up the research that is clearly against tv's in anyone's room.

TV watching right before bed is terrible - several studies indicate this - much better to read a book just before sleeping.

Anne - posted on 08/08/2010

I do not think it is a good idea to have a tv in a childs room. my reasons are no 1 it tends to make them lazy in a sense and hinders them from using there active imagination no 2 it limits there time with thee family as an active member,I think two things are very important to a child's development at least one meal a day with everyone in the family present and talking about there day and family time in the evening playing games reading etc.This is just my opion but please dont let a tv become a babysitter for your child

Sandi - posted on 08/08/2010

Our kids both have a TV and Computer in their room. They watch maybe one 30 minute Nick or Disney show before bed and that is pretty much it. They spend most of their time engaged in sports and love playing outside. They like having friends over to play video games, but they play as much outside as they do inside. I attribute that to a great neighborhood with lots of kids. They got their tv's at age 11. I used a portable DVD player for them to watch an occasional movie when they had a sleepover when they were younger. We monitor what they watch, but it has not been a problem. I agree that it depends on the child's personality. Our kids prefer to watch TV with us while snuggling on the couch. It makes a difference that we have two boys who play well together so they play video games and watch tv together and with us. If you have a child who is less social I agree that would be more of a concern.

Amanda - posted on 08/08/2010

Personally, I am not for a TV in a kids room. It can tend to be another distraction for them and another reason for them to want to go to their rooms. I am not a fan of making my child's room the most exciting place to be in the house. Good luck with your decision.

Monica - posted on 08/08/2010

I really appreciate the fact that you are reaching out to your community to help you determine if this is a good choice. As a parent it becomes increasingly difficult to make wise decisions about media the more plugged in we all become. The most disturbing statistic is that the average american child spends over 40 hours a week watching TV and only 3.5 minutes in meaningful conversation with a parent. The sad fact is that these children are not using the critical years to learn how to use their imagination and their cognitive problem solving skills. It's also important to realize that they become adults who do not have strong interpersonal skills and can not source their own happiness and well being. Here is a great link for understanding some of the effects of TV on a young child as well as a link to the statistics that might help make your decision.
http://www.csun.edu/science/health/docs/... and related:www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_W_Education/documents/TamingtheMediaMonster.pdf waldorf education and Television

Kathleen - posted on 08/08/2010

If you want the world and HollyWeird to have more influence over your child than you do...give them a television. If you really want to protect your child from the nastiness out there...don't do what others do. I have a TV but it is in the living room where I monitor what influences my babies...because I love them like a momma bear does.

Katie - posted on 08/08/2010

My girls have a tv in their room but use it just to watch videos - it does not even have an ariel. The tv is out of reach so they can only watch videos when we say and for a treat, Its proved no problems and is really useful when they are ill and want to be quiet,

Regina - posted on 08/08/2010

I don't have a great answer for you. But our children have pretty much always had a tv in their room and they still prefer to hang out in the livingroom or play outside. They are now ages 6 & 7. I would say just don't hook up video games to it. That seems to become addictive and end outdoor play. Hope that helps you. Good luck.

Emma - posted on 08/08/2010

My daughters birthday was in May and I decided to get her a TV so she could watch her DVD's on it. At first she was completely obsessed with it but like anything else you give a child the novelty has worn off. The obsession only lasted a couple of weeks, and now she probably only watches it 2 times a week max for around 20 minutes and then she's back outside playing. So in my opinion TV's in a childs bedroom isnt a completely bad idea :)

Lynn - posted on 08/08/2010

Both of my kids have tv's in their room (8, and 5). They never watch it except for 5 minutes before bed. I actually have to ask my kids to watch tv, to give me a mental break. They are always outside or playing with other kids. However, if my kids loved the tv, I could see where putting a tv in their rooms could foster isolation. It is a personal decision and the right answer depends on your child.

Danielle - posted on 08/08/2010

TV in a kid's room not only encourages isolation but also encourages bad sleep habits. Five year olds are old enough to know how to put in a DVD by themselves. If they wake in the middle of the night, which is also common, they might be tempted to turn it on and watch before falling back asleep. Sleep issues are a huge issue with today's children as it is so why place a temptation in the room. Bedrooms are to be used mainly for sleeping or other retreat. Better to not start a bad habit early that would be hard to break later when you can't come up with a good excuse because you have already set the precedent. We don 't allow TVs in any bedroom including our own and we have four children from 18 to 5. The teen is not even allowed to take her laptop to her room as she would never come out.

KERSTIN - posted on 08/08/2010

2 of my kids have TVs in their rooms, my oldest just agreed to put his in the guest room instead. They know that they will have to 'earn points' to be able to use their TV or video games, and that they cannot use it for more than 30 minutes during the week (if they are not busy with sports or other outside activities) and the lengths of one movie on weekend days. As long as there are rules and your kids are responsible enough to obey them I don't think having their own TV is a problem.It might be a waste of money unless you happen to have an extra sitting around. My 7 year old hardly ever uses his and my 10 year old rarely chooses to earn a point (laundry, vacuuming, chores beyond their responsibilities), so her's mostly just sits there too.

Pauline - posted on 08/08/2010

television doesn't cause personality changes, thats caused by parents no longer being able to control their children. I really can't see whats wrong with children having occassioal treats such as a dvd before bed or a packet of sweets for being well behaved. Parents spending too much time on Computers are much more likely to cause their children to behave badly or become isolated from the family yet here we all are answering a thread about person choices. Put down your laptops, turn off your PC's and Macs and go out and interact with your children and stop worrying about the effects of a couple of DVDs a week!

Natalie - posted on 08/08/2010

My personal opinion is NO!!!!! Keep him outdoors once he gets hooked on that tv, his personality will change and so will hisinteraction with other children and his social skills will not develop right. I have seen it with my own eyes how a kiddie gets so hooked whether its just dvds or reg tv. Maybe consider it when he is a teen. But I still say it is best that TVs should be banned from any child's room

Jenni - posted on 08/08/2010

no no no no we should not have any tv in any bedrooms as the electrical current from the tv whether it is turned on or off actually interferres with our sleep patterns so if you want your children to have proper sleep then no tv...plus you has less control on what your children are actually watching and being exposed to.....my children are now young adults and l still will not have a tv in any bedrooms including my own.

Beth - posted on 08/08/2010

If a child is bad mannered, that is not the blame of the tv or a computer but of the parents. That is like saying that john venables killed because of a horror film, when infact it was his family home that lead him to be disruptive. TV does not lead a child to pick up a gun, it will not lead a child to be rude.



If a parent/parents lay down rules /boundaries and ensure their child sticks to them, then that is the key. A child may kick up a fight but if you give in, to them, what is that telling your child....it's ok to behave and talk like that.



Give a child 1 meter and they will take 1 mile.......my son has a lot of outside activities, he will spend most of his time playing or with me trying to learn.

Beth - posted on 08/08/2010

no offense but it doesn't encourage isolation, if it does then a family is not making enough effort in encouraging them to partake in other activities with them.

I'm 28, never had a tv in my room till I was 13, mum made it straight that tv was not to be watched in my room, until the evening, she basically banned me from watching it during the day, if i broke the rule, she'd remove the tv.

It's all about boundaries with a child, no boundaries, then there is no restriction or control with a child.

My son is autistic, the tv in his room is a godsend at bed time. He goes to ed, puts thomas on and he'll calmly fall asleep, better for him and me. As a single parent with an autistic child, of a child fullstop, you learn to pick your battles. Some people have their beliefs for and against and it's up to that parent what they do.

Pauline - posted on 08/08/2010

My 4 year old has a tv in her room, she can watch her DVD's on it. We normally let her watch a dvd on a non school night before bed but she doesn't fall asleep watching it. She can also go and lay down and watch a dvd if she needs a rest. She won't sleep so at least it gives her a bit of relaxing time when she needs it. Children lead such busy lives and I think adults underestimate how much rest they need. It also allows me time to do around the house if she is watching a dvd in her room as I work and after school when she needs a rest and I need to hoover it allows us both the space to do it.

I don't think there's anything wrong with having a tv in the bedroom as long as you have set guidelines and the child understands it.

For the record, my daughter spends 80% of her leisure time outdoors and attends 3 different out of school classes a week so having a tv in her bedroom doesn't stop her being active at all.

Tania - posted on 08/08/2010

I personally will not allow my children to have a television in their room - they already spend enough time watching it in the lounge room and I like to have a place that their homework can be done away from distractions. Although if you are going to place a TV in your sons room, only being able to watch DVDs is a great idea - it allows you more control. Also if you are allowing him to have a TV because his cousin and friend do then I would think twice because as he gets older this scenario will be played out a lot more often - mobile phones, Wii, Ipods, cable TV etc. Kids will always complain to you they want something because their friends have it and it just doesn't stop. Good luck.

Wendy - posted on 08/08/2010

hi hun, my name wendy and ive have two sons and a daughter and my daughter who is 4 as had a tv since she was 3, she as it on for half a hour a night, also my boys share room my youngest is two there have a tv in there room and my little son likes thomas so he as it on for half a hour than wi in 10mins he always asleep and he sleeps all night as he never use to, so i think it wont harm ur son, just put it on for half hour. xx

Ginny - posted on 08/08/2010

I have a 7 year old and a 10 year old and toward the end of the school year my 10 got a TV in her room. The 7 did not and probably never will unless she gets better about her home work and her chores. My 10 year old finished out her 4th grade year with straight A's always great at doing her home work in around a hour. The 7 year not so good 2,3,4 hours and she is fighting with us the whole about it. And because home work was not done no TV was allowed to be turned on. Kinda not fair for my 10 year old. So we decided since she did what she was asked to do she can have a TV in her room and when she finishes her homework or chores she can go to her room close the door and watch her TV and the 7 year gets no TV till her homework and chores are done. Then the family TV in the living room comes on. The TV in my daughters room has a timer on it 9am -8pm and then shuts off till the next day. It's working great, my 7 year has told us that her goal is to have a TV in her room by the time she is ten. If she does everything that is required to get a TV she will be allowed to have it. Sometimes I'll get some old movies, Shirley temple or chitty bang bang and lay in bed with my girls and watch movies. Good Times

Mairi - posted on 08/08/2010

Dear Kimberley, with so many responses you porbably gave up reading them a while ago - a popular discussion!

I have a son who is about to turn 4 and until last year, I spent all bar 3 years of my adult life without even 1 television in the house. WHy? Because I found I would slump down in front if it in the evening and watch rubbish because it was the easiest thing to do and took no effort. We decided to dump the TV and invested in a home entertainment system instead and we invest in films. We sit down to watch something of OUR choice, at our time and it has a set duration of a couple of hours max. This means we eat together and chat about our days, we cook and prepare meals together and we have a much greater proportion of quality time together and now in recent years as a family.

We have a couple of computers but they are in an open study area and I intend any computer access my child has to be constrained to that area - nothing to hide, totally sharable and if he is in his room it is for sleeping, quiet activities or social activities with his friends - not screen watching.

I find that he wants to involve me in his games and films when he does sit down to watch them and I find that wonderful - not always convenient but wonderful!

On the other hand, my partner's daughter (15) who lives with her mother, spends unhealthy numbers of hours on MSN, even while eating or watching the TV (she carries the laptop around with her), is inactive, has no energy and is very over-weight. Too easy a comparison perhaps but why risk it? I would certainly opt for educational computer games with time restrictions any day of the week before I opted for a television. Happy reading!

Keley - posted on 08/08/2010

TV in a 5 year old's room. What an incredible privilege to be able to even ask the question. So, with that in mind, ask yourself "Are these the values we want to teach our child?" Let the answer to that question be your guide.

Sharon Kay - posted on 08/08/2010

Why can't he just have basic cable in his room so he can watch his cartoons a little at night? You can set the nights out time, believe me, if he's an outside boy he will always be an outside boy, mine is, Sharon

Keley - posted on 08/08/2010

Hi! It is so hard battling "what friends have", but it's worth it. My thoughts after consulting many a study on this type of topic are "No TV and No connected computer" in a child's room until they are at least close to college age. Mostly the concern is that it separates the family connection and involvement. You won't see what distresses your child, or what your child is particularly interested in. It creates disconnection and a pattern of disconnection that will be very hard to reverse later on and can become a HUGE problem when the child reaches his teen years. My older (13) daughter has freinds whose parents have given them TVs and Computers in their room. ALL (100%) of these kids have bad manners and poor judgment in the world because of the disconnection from parental influence and role models because the kids spend all their time, detached in their own private world of the bed room. Please keep the TV out of your child's room. For his sake.

Joyce - posted on 08/08/2010

No A TV SHOULD NOT BE IN A CHILD ROOM.THEY SHOULD NOT WATCH TV VERY MUCH.I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT THAT A CHILD SHOULD BE OUT SIDE PLAYING.MY CHILDREN ARE GROWN UP NOW AND LIVE ON THEIR OWN BUT I NEVER LET THEM WATCH TV ALL THE TIME ONLY AT NIGHT AND THAT WAS FOR A SHORT TIME.

Kaye - posted on 08/07/2010

Gidday Kimberly

I as a parent am totally against my child having a tv in her room and she is 13 now... Having said that we as parents made the mistake of putting a tv in our eldest two childrens room and well we never seen them again LOL it was as though we were aliens and the tv was the be all end all...I think if they want to watch tv they should watch it with the family or have another room just off from the family room with a tv where you can keep an eye on them so they can still watch thier own shows and still be a part of the family.

Cesarina - posted on 08/07/2010

It's better keep it out of his room, is not good for kids' brain go to sleep waching TV. Also, it can bring to the house family disconnection or lack of interes for our family members.

Carol - posted on 08/07/2010

Hi Kimberly, we have only 1 TV and that's in the living room. The TV is hardly on unless there's something worth watching, and that means at least 1 parent is with the kids watching and commentating where necessary. I make it easier for the kids to accept our decision telling them that different families have different priorities, and in ours, quality family time is top on the list. We also keep their computers in the living room, on each side of the TV console, so that we may monitor closely what they're doing on the internet. Even the best web filtering application is man made, accidents could happen. FYI my twins are 8 1/2yo.

Chap - posted on 08/07/2010

I personally don't think its a good idea to put a tv in a childs room. I am old fashioned when it comes to this topic, I think placing a tv in the childs room can be the beginning of the "family disconnection". In my family we only have the one tv in the family area so we are all together. A tv is also something giving information to your child and I personally don't want the tv in my childs room unattended. Good luck with making your decision.

Emma - posted on 08/07/2010

I'm a big believer in TV being a chosen activity to do during awake time, and nothing to do with the environment in which you sleep. A kids room obviously is not only used for sleeping, also playing, but TV is something I choose not to introduce into anyone (in my family's) bedroom. I hardly ever put my kids down to settle for bed watching a movie, not just because I find it doesn't really work, and I DO notice that the more television they watch each day the more uncontrollable/grumpy they can be during the time when the TV is off. Not that every child will be the same, but it's a lot harder to monitor the quantity of TV they're watching and the quality of the shows if they're shut up in their room. Plus if your son is inclined to retreat to his room as he gets older you've got one more drawcard to pull him out of there if he's not responding as a 13yr old to 'come and spend time with the family'! You can instead use 'come and watch TV with the family!' :)