How much screen time do you allow?

[brutusbaldwin]

DD1 9 and DD2 7 have both wanted to spend more time on computer in last couple of months. They go downstairs when they wake up and watch tv till We come downstairs with DD3

1. Straight away they ask to go on computer. I don't allow in mornings but when they get home fropm school they can have half hour each. They complain that i am THE WORST MUM IN THE WORLD! EVERYONE else is allowed much more than that. Am I being tight? They do not have tv in their rooms, not allowed to play on ds when up in rooms for night either. They go on cbbc, kazmo and monstermush?Perhaps if I wasn't so strict they might not want to go on it as much?

Should I let them watch tv straight after being on the comp? mWHAT DO YOU DO?

Would be interested in hearing what works for you.

AThanks x

[logi]

hi brutus i would let them watch tv after comp.,i do think your being too strict my ds is 5 and i dont put times on any of these things .All through life the more you are told you cant have something the more you want it lol

[PitysSake]

i play it by ear
how tired
busy
weather
mood
etc

why do you need a rule?

[choosyfloosy]

Hmm i don't think you are being too strict really. I need a rule, so that it can be the rule making the decisions, not me IYSWIM. I am a bit flexible, but basically ds is allowed a max of 90 mins screen time a day, 30 mins in am and 1 hr in pm, or 1 film all in the evening. I think this is a LOT but depressingly, it's actually better than what he was doing before.

In our house it's a choice of tv or computer - it all comes out of the 90 mins.

I do see the argument that people given free choice can take or leave telly much more than those who have it restricted. I'll be interested to see more responses on this thread.

[dubbletrubble]

Agree with previous poster, that it depends upon cirumstances. If you live in a place where the weather is great and you can go outdoors and have lots of fun everyday, then its easy. If you live in blighty like we do where it rains often and kids are stuck indoors, unless you are a trained children's entertainer it can become difficult.

I have 3 kids aged 6, 4 and 1.8. There are days when they watch way more tv, play wii or use computer than I would really like - but what can you do? At 6 lego and role play is fave other than a/v activities. 4yr old will do craft but for half hour max.

Sometimes I need quiet time in the house - eg when toddler is napping. I also ensure that they dont just zone out on cartoons or play games that are inappropriate to their age when on wii or computer. In fact there are positivies to be gained from using the computer, playing games or watching certain tv programmes which I think we are all forgetting cos we think of the 'guidelines' all the time on how much they should have.

I have been a teacher in a secondary school for over a decade - and I can tell you that a good proportion of my brightest (male) pupils are gamers. There is a great deal of problem solving and concentration required of gaming which is ignored. I watch my 6 yr old work through the lego games on wii (star wars and batman) and am AMAZED that a) he understands the concept with still quite basic reading ability and b) he has the concentration and dedication to play through even when he is finding it difficult.

Long post - so to finish - NO, I dont let them zone out in front of telly and computer/wii all day. We are very active outdoorsy and try to get out whatever the weather. I do limit game playing to end of week/weekend due to school/homework doing etc. Im just saying that as parents we are getting inundated with what we 'should and shouldnt' be doing all the time and its time for a bit of common sense.

[brutusbaldwin]

Thanks Guys for your replies.
Appreciate it.x

[BlueKangerooWonders]

I don't necessarily limit time, but all tv/ pc/ ds have to stay in living room so it's sort of self-regulating. Only thing allowed in bedrooms are cd /ipod players for audio books.

When they start complaining, I just ignore them! They know that I just say that I don't care what other people do. They soon find something else to do when I have to work/ mn on the pc's.

[peanutbutterkid]

I got told off right royally on MN a while ago, for limiting DS to 1/2 hour a day. .
We have changed the system, so they get 2 hours a day but only on non-school days, and during the school holidays 2 days a week without any allocation.
Plus the DC can share screen time with each other, plus DH watches telly with them, plus educational games aren't rationed, plus they are allowed bits of websurfing and email that doesn't count. So they can easily rack up 10 hours/day if they are organised about it. In reality, tends to be about 4 hours/most days for DS1, 1 hour/day on average for DS2, and about 30 min. daily for DD.

DS1 would be on there 24/7 if I let him. He is banned from Nitrome and Miniclip, they were the worst for addictive games he refused to ever get off.