TV turn-off week at Son's school

[Eeyores Butterfly]

It's not just the school deciding to do it. There is a national tv turn off week. I've seen several advertisements for it, the school is just encouraging it. It's a neat idea and if you don't like it, don't do it. It's as simple as that.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

My son's school is participating in this, this week. My kids rarely watch television other than Saturday morning before DH and I get up - so no t.v. during the week isn't a big deal for our kids. However, DS was home from school yesterday and today due to seasonal allergy issues. He was really torn about turning on the tele, but he'd read as much as he could stand, had no homework, couldn't go outside, etc. He turned on the tube today.

*Our school doesn't have the gold, silver, bronze approach -- it's all or nothing.

 

[Becky2005]

Apparently my kids live under a rock (right next to their mother but THIS one I was aware of!). They do this every year for as far back as I think since my daughter was in Kindergarten or for quite a while.

I took my middle son to basketball yesterday & my oldest son had to come with...as we were there, the normal TV they had on was turned off with a note saying "This TV is turned off for TV Turn off week" -- my 13 year old asks me what that was!!! I just had the deer in headlight look at him because I KNOW this has been talked about every year at school during grade school (apparently they don't say anything about it at Middle School) -- obviously we don't practice it. I could not go a full week without my e-mail! I'm sure I could live if I didn't but I choose not to. That would be like telling me to go without electricity for a full week.

I did find it amusing though that the 2nd monitor at the park district was still on -- the one that tells you the events happening at the park district & the ads -- in theory it's the same thing but it's closed circuit, so they really should have turned BOTH of them off to be fully participating.

 

[tzolkin]

My kids' school sends home some info about it (there are a few "Family Fun Night" events during the week that they advertise). They've been doing it since my oldest started school (She's in 6th grade now)

We would have no problem going a week without TV (we got rid of our satellite service and only watch the occasional movie or show on hulu), but this is our spring break. Certainly we do other activities, but this is actually the one week that my kids have extra time at home and would like to watch a few movies and play some video games. I'll just pretend that we do no-TV weeks the rest of the school year and this is their one week of freedom.


I had only ever seen TV and video games mentioned. I would not give up the internet. I could see limiting my time (like reading the disboards for hours ), but I use the internet to pay my bills, check the weather, do my household shopping, etc. The only time I go without the internet is when we go on vacation.

 

[disney1990]

But, is watching the news unhealthy? Or checking weather.com? Reading e-mail about the kids' sports practice schedule unhealthy? What about doing research through the library web site? This kind of assignment seems to put down all forms of electronics equally, and TV and the internet are certainly used for more than mere entertainment, even by kids.

Yes, some nights, watching the news is very bad for my health -- my emotional health.

 

[mickeyboat]

But, is watching the news unhealthy? Or checking weather.com? Reading e-mail about the kids' sports practice schedule unhealthy? What about doing research through the library web site? This kind of assignment seems to put down all forms of electronics equally, and TV and the internet are certainly used for more than mere entertainment, even by kids.

First of all, it is not an assignment. It is a voluntary program and it is meant to be fun.

It does not put down all forms of electronics. It simply seeks to encourage families to explore other activities and interests in place of time they might normally spend watching tv or playing video games.

This program is not really targeting children who watch tv for 30 minutes a night and use the internet for research. It is targeting children who spend every free moment using screen as entertainment. Any I am sure you agree, anything, including electronics, which is not used in moderation is not healthy.

 

[Sparx]

TV turn-off week turns me off. It assumes that there is nothing worthwhile on tv/internet or no redeeming value in playing video games. If the idea is to get kids more physically active or to spend time doing something constructive like reading, there are better ways to accomplish this.

I agree. I've had college papers where I was assigned to do research by watching television.

There is a lot worthwhile on television, and I've learned more from the internet than I have many of my classes. I think instead of "Television turn off" it should be "educational Television" Don't watch some of the mindless dribble, watch a documentary.

 

[Hillbeans]

OP here - we're on day 3 and it's getting to be more of a routine now with DS. I agree with most that moderate TV, internet and computer games are not bad and that this exercise is supposed to target those who may not realize they are always attached to electronic media.

DS had CCD then had a baseball game, so no time for any electronic stimulation today since we were out and about most of the night.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Well, the playoffs are on and we're headed into a second overtime so the concept of turning off the TV is kinda funny to me. Just like when they did that "earth day" thing... something about turning off the lights or something and someone wondered if they were supposed to turn off the TV... in the middle of the NCAA tourney

Anytime someone encourages you to spend your free time a certain way and gives a reward for it, I consider that to be pushing an agenda.

 

[Ceila]

First of all, it is not an assignment. It is a voluntary program and it is meant to be fun.

It does not put down all forms of electronics. It simply seeks to encourage families to explore other activities and interests in place of time they might normally spend watching tv or playing video games.

This program is not really targeting children who watch tv for 30 minutes a night and use the internet for research. It is targeting children who spend every free moment using screen as entertainment. Any I am sure you agree, anything, including electronics, which is not used in moderation is not healthy.

The problem, though, is that it does promote no TV or internet at all - if they want to reach "gold" status, then they can't even watch the news or conduct online research. And while kids can choose not to do this, there remains an underlying insinuation that those children aren't doing the "right thing."

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

^ That is my problem with it as well.