TV in child’s room… what’s your stance?

[Screenager]

I have a 16yr old and 12yr old. I have always said no to tellies in bedroom. DH and I don’t have one in our room either.

But 16yr old has asked for one for Christmas and I have relented due to the fact that he spends most of his time in there anyway, on his computer or phone so he may as well have a telly for entertainment.

My 12yr old has mentioned wanting one, but I have said no as she still likes to spend the evening with us in the lounge and I want to keep that going for as long as possible.

Edit to say that 12yr old doesn’t have any sort of computer, but does have a phone and will sit in her room on that for a little bit… but not all evening.

What’s your thinking around tellies in rooms?

I knit and watch telly at the same time.

I can’t tell if you’re taking the piss 🙈

No TVs in bedrooms for us. I feel like it causes too much separation and isolation. My son (11yo) doesn't have a phone either. Has a tablet but its usage is restricted. I don't like everyone in the house being in their own worlds constantly (occasionally is fine with me though! Right now son is playing a video game on our one and only TV and I'm on here 🤷‍♀️)

If he had a TV in his room, he'd either be in there constantly glued to it or it'd just be yet another thing we have to impose limits on and manage. There are no upsides in my opinion!

DD asked once but it became very clear that all she wanted to watch could be also done on an ipad or laptop.

She was good with keeping to rules, no above 15 unless we talked about it first and I could obviously see what has been watched.

She would bring the devices down before dinner, any TV later was done in the living room. She would often watch downstairs anyway.

I think it all depends how your children are but for us it worked.

Thanks all.

We have decided to get him a tv for Christmas.

I’m not worried about him segregating himself from us. He’s not addicted to screens and spends an awful lot of his time out with his friends or in his bike. He also chooses to spend days with us out being active in some way, so time in his room alone does not bother me.