Tv in child`s room, good idea?

swizzle_2

My son would like a tv in this room, my hubbie has told him he can have 1 for his birthday next year when he is 8.

I did not know that he had asked hubbie and would have liked to discuss it first.

It would not mean him watching anymore tv than he does now, but just that he would be watching it in his room.

Good or bad idea?

Thanks

skylight

DD3 had one on her 8th birthday, but she got a video combo and we didn't allow an ariael to the TV so she couldn't watch just anything.

And she had to ask permission to watch something!

DD3 is 12 now and upgraded to a dvd combo, but still does not have an arieal - this will change when we move rooms later in the year though!

wigginsmum

Can you be sure he won't watch it more than he does at the moment? Personally I wouldn't let him have one until he was older.

moggins

Both of mine have tv's in their room, it certainly doesn't have to mean that they watch any more tv at all. DD (4) watches hers on Saturday mornings allowing us to have a bit of a lie in and DS (12) watches an hour before he goes to sleep at night.

DH has watched a little more in her room this week as she has been ill, it's meant that I have been able to get on with some housework instead of having to amuse her constantly and it's taken her mind off her sickness which can only be a good thing.

DD only has a DVD combi without aerial and DS has a freeview box.

Katgoddess

A work collegue of mine has a tv in her daughter's (9) room but it is only tuned into the dvd player. So she can watch all the childrens tv she has on dvd but not tv. She is only allowed to watch tv in the family room.

Rikki

My 17 year old doesn't have a tv in his room. Although he could if he wanted.
My 10 year old I would not allow.

nearlyrich

I let my children have a tv at 12, I monitored usage until they were 15 or 16, neither really watch much tv, both went to uni without one as they thought the licence fee was too steep to bother.

iwanttosave_2

charlotte664 wrote:

DD3 had one on her 8th birthday, but she got a video combo and we didn't allow an ariael to the TV so she couldn't watch just anything.

And she had to ask permission to watch something!

I have done the same withours, took out the ariael so he can only watch his films.

I use the timer funtion on the remote and set it for whatever times appropriate and once its off it stays off.

Sydney_2

Personally I wouldn't allow it. Why would you want a child to be segregated from the family watching TV on their own?

I think it's tragic the amount of time children spend watching TV, let alone encouraging it even more by giving them a TV of their own.
Surely their childhood could be spent doing more interesting things instead.

Children will always remember playing games, going to the park, feeding the ducks etc.,they will never remember every single programme watched during their formative years.

I know this may sound harsh to some of you, but trust me working as a teacher I see the effect of children watching endless hours of TV. Everything in moderation obviously, but let them just enjoy doing things that children should be doing.

kabie

My eldest has a tv in his room. He was asking for one from the age of 3 because everyone else at nursery had one, I didn't believe him but when I asked around it was true! I gave in at age 8 and then he got a tv/dvd combo and no aerial. Recently though he's been given an aerial but still has to ask permission and isn't allowed to watch near bedtime. He knows that the aerial can be taken away if he abuses it and is good. He loves sport, plays stacks and likes to watch it on tv, his little brother though isn't as keen so when there's a big match on or F1 he can go to his room usually accompanied by me or his dad. He wants a games console up there but I've said no because I prefer us all to be downstairs: I don't want him to be shut away for long periods. He's 9 now.

VickyA_2

I was never allowed one because my mum thought that I might not get on with my work. To be honest, she was right

In fact, it wasn't until I bought one at the grand old age of 22 to get away from the muppet that was my housemate that I finally had one in my room :rotfl: