At what age should a kid have a TV in her room, if ever?

[browneyes106]

Growing up my sister and I had a TV in our room. Our two brothers had a TV too. I was the youngest in the family so I was always had a TV in my room. My parents were ok with it as long I did homework as I soon I got home from school or sports practice. Usaully on the weekends I would watch TV in the living room or I would be doing other stuff.

 

[LisaNJ25]

My have had them since I can remember.. my youngest 3 share a room so it seems like they have always had one. They are not in there all the time watching it.. they watch more downstairs.

I have one in my room.. always did as a child. I cant fall asleep without one on.

My teenage has his video games.. he watches his the most.

 

[bas71873]

Wow....didn't imagine I'd get so many responses. I've read them all and have lots to consider. I really like the idea of no cable (which I said before). Then it's just for her movies when she wants to watch one (which isn't all the time).

I personally have a TV in our room and I like to fall asleep with it on. Not something I have always done, but I just wind down to it at night (especially since DH travels so much. I have no one to talk too )

 

[daisyduck123]

No tvs in our kids' rooms (DD15, DS11).
It's easy to monitor what they're watching this way.

 

[dreamer17555]

Well I am late but I will chime in here. About three weeks ago my DD7 came down with flu type B which is very horrible and with a DS2 running around we wanted to keep her in her room as much as possible, so we put a TV in her room. Honestly we had an extra sitting in the closet (We have one in our room and one in the living room).

Well while she was sick it was fine (she was too out of it to even watch) but we left it in for a few days once she started feeling better and I knew we had to take it out. It wasn't good for her. She would zone in front of it and was doing a lot less reading and a lot less creative play. So in the end the TV went back in the closet.

My parents let me when I was 16 and trust me I hated to wait until then... but I got over it and still adore to read because of it.

-becca-

 

[jenrose66]

My DS has had a TV in his room since he was a year old, he just turned 3. It's a 13 inch flatscreen. We have it in there for a couple reasons. When he was young he really enjoyed baby einstein. Our bedtime routine consisted of a bath and one baby einstein video while he dried off and got on his jammies. After that we'd read a couple board books and go to bed.

Now that he's a little older and he has a 7 month old brother it's nice for him to wind down in there if his brother is screaming and he wants some time to himself.

I don't think he watches a lot of TV. He will watch 20 to 30 minutes before bedtime. Also he'll watch a little bit when he wakes up after his nap.

He usually does not ask to watch TV, he'll sit down and watch if I offer to put it on. There are only 2 times a day that he looks forward to TV...the first is Mickey and Special Agent Oso in the morning we watch that together in the living room. Then he's used to his short video before bed...tonight it was Bob the Builder.

Personally, I don't have a problem with kids having TV's in their room. My son is bright...he plays independently and with others...he loves his cars and makes them have conversations (just like little girls do with Barbie). He is a very imaginative little boy who enjoys arts and crafts and playing outside. He'll also help in the kitchen and with chores.

TV hasn't negatively impacted him. I carefully choose shows that promote positive themes and I think he has learned a lot from TV.

 

[tinatark]

My boys are 13 and 15 - no tv's in their rooms, and we're not planning to put any in there - they do have a den with a couple of tv's for XBoxes, and they do watch some tv in there.

 

[KirstenB]

Our older dd who's 11 has always had one. She's always been an easy take it or leave it sort of kid. She watches tv, but not obsessively. She spends a lot of time outdoors, etc, so she seems to balance it out.

Our younger dd who's nearly 4 may never have one. She has a mild form of autism and we try to interact with her as much as possible. She gets to watch tv with us, but we just make an extra effort to get her to talk about the show, etc.

 

[IDoDis]

I often find this board to be full of contradictions and man, this has got to be the cleanest place on the net with all of the soapboxes people have around here!

Those that say they don't allow TV's in the bedroom are some of the same people who said how stupid it is not to have unlimted texting for your kid (and buy cell phones for their kids when they are 8 years old).

Some of these soapboxers also allow their kids to read adult content books and think it's okay to take their 9 and 10 year-olds out to see comedians like David Cook and Jeff Dunham. No biggie, right?

Some of these parents have also purchased laptops for their kids (that their kids use in their bedrooms). But heaven forbid the kid has a TV in his/her room and they will stand on their highest soapbox to declare what great parents they are for not allowing this.

I had a TV in my shared bedroom with my brother *and* my sister since I was a child Gasp! According to Diser's it's against the law to share a bedroom with a sibling of the opposite sex! Both of my kids have 36" TV's with DVR's in their bedrooms. They got them for Christmas last year. Guess what? They are great kids, active in sports, honor roll students, they don't use swear words, and they aren't violent.

As for me (the one who grew up with a TV in my bedroom), I don't watch any TV. I couldn't even tell you what the shows are these days! I have very little interest in TV and would rather do other things instead. It didn't ruin me.

Like a PP said, it's not the TV that will ruin the child, but a bad parent will.

 

[2bearsmom]

My boys are almost 8 and 4 and do not have a tv in their rooms. There is one in the family room, basement (which is where all the toys are and the xbox) and spare bedroom. We are looking to get one in our room again, although I really could do without it. I hate watching tv right before I go to sleep yet my dh will watch for a few minutes to catch a sports score or something. My oldest keeps saying how much he wants one in his room but there just isn't a need for it, there are plenty of tv's in the house to watch, although they don't watch that much to begin with, mostly dvd's. I try not to have the tv on unless there is a show on they really want to see, I don't like the tv as background noise. Since all of their toys are kept in the basement they usually watch down there so they can also play with their toys and we don't end up with toys all over the house. With all their stuff in one place their rooms are really set up for sleeping/reading only and for time outs.

 

[poohlover]

I have 6 children, and we have never allowed TV's in bedrooms. I was easy to say there are just too many of you! As they got older my children saw that it was wise and hated the college roommates that HAD to have the TV on to fall asleep.

We have a finished basement for the older kids to watch TV. This way I know just what everyone is watching.

My vote is no.

 

[DaParkers]

I often find this board to be full of contradictions and man, this has got to be the cleanest place on the net with all of the soapboxes people have around here!

Those that say they don't allow TV's in the bedroom are some of the same people who said how stupid it is not to have unlimted texting for your kid (and buy cell phones for their kids when they are 8 years old).

Some of these soapboxers also allow their kids to read adult content books and think it's okay to take their 9 and 10 year-olds out to see comedians like David Cook and Jeff Dunham. No biggie, right?

Some of these parents have also purchased laptops for their kids (that their kids use in their bedrooms). But heaven forbid the kid has a TV in his/her room and they will stand on their highest soapbox to declare what great parents they are for not allowing this.

I had a TV in my shared bedroom with my brother *and* my sister since I was a child Gasp! According to Diser's it's against the law to share a bedroom with a sibling of the opposite sex! Both of my kids have 36" TV's with DVR's in their bedrooms. They got them for Christmas last year. Guess what? They are great kids, active in sports, honor roll students, they don't use swear words, and they aren't violent.

As for me (the one who grew up with a TV in my bedroom), I don't watch any TV. I couldn't even tell you what the shows are these days! I have very little interest in TV and would rather do other things instead. It didn't ruin me.

Like a PP said, it's not the TV that will ruin the child, but a bad parent will.

 

[golfgal]

Our kids don't have tv's in their rooms and probably won't until they get their own places. They wouldn't watch all that much tv but the boys would play video games most of the night. If they are sick they often take the portable DVD player into their rooms and watch movies but usually I make them a bed on the couch in the tv room for that.

I had a tv in my room as a teenager and once I got that I never spent time watching tv with anyone else in the family-I would get home from school/practice, do my homework in my room, watch tv until bedtime. I don't want that for our family.

 

[Rora]

Growing up, I never had a TV in my room. The first time I got a TV in my room was when I went to college and I shared a teeny-tiny TV with my roommate.

Honestly, although I hated my parents for it then, I'm so happy I didn't have a TV in my room growing up. I watched TV with my parents (silly as it sounds, bonding over our favorite TV shows has had a last impression) and slept normally (wasn't up watching TV all night!).

DFiance had a TV in his room that he shared with his brother but they just stayed up all night and played videogames. Oh boys.

I doubt my children will be allowed TVs in their rooms.

EDIT: I just wanted to add that because I didn't have a TV in my room, I read a TON and to this day enjoy reading so much.

 

[Tantor]

No TV or computer.......

 

[Pigeon]

In our house, kids don't have TVs or computers in their rooms ever.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I often find this board to be full of contradictions and man, this has got to be the cleanest place on the net with all of the soapboxes people have around here!

Those that say they don't allow TV's in the bedroom are some of the same people who said how stupid it is not to have unlimted texting for your kid (and buy cell phones for their kids when they are 8 years old).

Some of these soapboxers also allow their kids to read adult content books and think it's okay to take their 9 and 10 year-olds out to see comedians like David Cook and Jeff Dunham. No biggie, right?

Some of these parents have also purchased laptops for their kids (that their kids use in their bedrooms). But heaven forbid the kid has a TV in his/her room and they will stand on their highest soapbox to declare what great parents they are for not allowing this.

.

Are you one of those Disers that keep spreadsheets on what the other posters do?

Other than that this thread has been remarkably cordial...

 

[ICF]

Oprah says, "when the tv goes into the bedroom, the sex goes out."

Oprah isn't watching the right shows then!!

 

[Robinrs]

I had a TV in my room as a child for as long as I could remember...at least since 5/6. When I would get scared in the middle of the night, I would get up and put on a video with cartoons (cartoons kept the "monsters" away). That way I wouldn't have to sneak into mommy and daddy's bed.

I graduated 32nd of 1200 in High School, never had a single disciplinary problem and am a happy and well-adjusted adult.

I also now sleep with a tv in the bedroom but it is mostly because DH has to have it on at night while we sleep (no sound), like a night light.

That's why I LAUGHED at that statistic! I'm 53, grew up on all things TV and now work in the television field. ANYTHING, food, TV, internet, guns, video games, driving and medicine, can be studied and made to be good or bad, but the bottom line is CHOICE.

You can use a video game to get exercise, or use it to violate women.

You can come to the DIS on the internet to get a deal on Disney or use it to belittle and pick on people.

You can drink wine for dinner and enhance your heart or drink to excess and become an alcoholic.

Need I go on?????

Sure, kids who grow up watching hoochie videos might not get the same result as a child watching Barney. I consider myself a TVholic and I graduated from high school at 16 and had two college degrees by 21. My son loves TV also and wants to be a producer. He has put up hundreds of videos of Christian videos and shows from the 80s on YouTube. He is an A student and plans to make his living, like his Mommy, in the TV field.

TV, like ANYTHING can be a blessing or a curse. There is no good or bad, just inspiration, influence and teaching our children the right choices in EVERYTHING.

 

[Robinrs]

I often find this board to be full of contradictions and man, this has got to be the cleanest place on the net with all of the soapboxes people have around here!

Those that say they don't allow TV's in the bedroom are some of the same people who said how stupid it is not to have unlimted texting for your kid (and buy cell phones for their kids when they are 8 years old).

Some of these soapboxers also allow their kids to read adult content books and think it's okay to take their 9 and 10 year-olds out to see comedians like David Cook and Jeff Dunham. No biggie, right?

Some of these parents have also purchased laptops for their kids (that their kids use in their bedrooms). But heaven forbid the kid has a TV in his/her room and they will stand on their highest soapbox to declare what great parents they are for not allowing this.

I had a TV in my shared bedroom with my brother *and* my sister since I was a child Gasp! According to Diser's it's against the law to share a bedroom with a sibling of the opposite sex! Both of my kids have 36" TV's with DVR's in their bedrooms. They got them for Christmas last year. Guess what? They are great kids, active in sports, honor roll students, they don't use swear words, and they aren't violent.

As for me (the one who grew up with a TV in my bedroom), I don't watch any TV. I couldn't even tell you what the shows are these days! I have very little interest in TV and would rather do other things instead. It didn't ruin me.

Like a PP said, it's not the TV that will ruin the child, but a bad parent will.