To want to put a mall TV and console in each child's room?

[losingmymindiam]

My 10 and 13 year old constantly argue about whose turn it is to use their console (each bought their own with birthday money) as they are both hooked up to one TV. We have a games room and one other TV in the lounge. I don't want a console hooked up to that. I have always been against TVs etc in bedrooms but OMG they are driving me insane. Time on devices would be regulated so they couldn't just scuttle away for hours. What are your thoughts on electronics in bedrooms?

*loss not kids!

Could the younger one not use it first, then when he goes to bed, it's the older ones' turn?

I wouldn't lots of data beginning to come out suggesting bedrooms with screens in can be linked with increased mental health problems, insomnia and an increased risk of catfishing style issues. Though not conclusive evidence as yet but I would bet on it getting that way soon.

Bedrooms should be a quiet sanctuary.

We try not to have any screens after dinner, except a bit of TV sometimes so not really. It also means someone is always on the console and I have to be really vigilant about making it equal time!! To exhausting! Thinking the two separate TVs in same room might be a plan to start with.

I'd go for two TVs plus headphones in the games room

Are you planning on loosening up on the "no screens after dinner" rule at any point? I'm only asking because at 13 he's going to start staying up later, and at least if you let him have an hour or so after dinner/homework, you'll get some down-time on your own too?

And I don't think you can apply the same rules and restrictions to a teenager and a 10 year old.

Bouchie- that's what I have always thought. However, they listen to music, wrestle and prance about in there!

I do it for some peace and quiet as long as they had a off time I wouldn't have a problem

Adaline - Yes I know that is coming. They don't get treated the same but my 13 year old is currently ready to sleep at 9/9.30 so want him to have a couple of hours no screen time before bed.

Another vote for second telly in play room.

Mine both have tv and a console in their rooms.

I tend to pick my battles; they do lots of sports/extra curricular stuff so weekdays aren't usually home long enough to have more than 40 minutes screen time, both are great at homework and never refuse to turn them off, so when they want an hour gaming they have it (within reason). If they argued or refused to go to sleep I'd remove the consoles/remotes, but neither dicks about.

We have friends whose DC are only allowed to watch tv/game at weekends but between Fri-Sun they never go out because their DC refuse to leave their house because they're getting their 'fix'. For me that's less healthy because they're gaming from the moment they come home friday to the minute they sleep sunday with only sleep and food between.

I'd get them a small gaming device to play on their own (iPad, kindle fire, Nintendo ds or switch) and allow an hour at weekends console time in the games room/ on the main TV.

I don't agree with TVs in bedrooms it's poor sleep hygiene impart from anything else.

I don't think moving a Tv in for the occasional treat night is overly detrimental but my DCs fall asleep in a dark, quiet room with no devices in it.
I remember borrowing a small TV as a teenager and watching in secret when my parents were asleep a small hall way away (not overly deep sleepers either) so it's not always possible to monitor their use.

Each to their own though and I'm sure many would do it for a quiet life! No judgement, my DC are still little and I may yet change my mind! Xx

I wouldn't but then I don't like the idea of tv in bedroom for adults either - 2 consoles and one tv is a recipe for disaster though. I'd try another tv in the same room - with headphones.

100% tv in both rooms. You will end up going insane otherwise.

Kids can have consoles in their rooms and still grow up into civilised adults with jobs and everything .!

I don't know what happened to taking in turns! Maybe they could have a Rota, where one day youngest gets an hour then oldest does, next day the other way around?

I mean I know most people have a TV in their own bedrooms which makes it harder with kids. I hate having a TV at all but love some of the learning games my DD plays as they are helping her numbers and spelling in a more fun way.

I lived TV less for 5 years before I had DC and rarely watched it as a child except blockbuster Friday's (and live and kicking on a Saturday morning if it was the holidays and we didn't have our regular sporting activities).

I do remember staying up to watch the soaps with my Mum occasionally, and a series at one point but TV was not a big part of my childhood and I don't want it to be a big part of my DCs.

You don't remember playing consoles, you remember time spent as a family and life skills like "take turns and don't hog the controller" lol

Second screen in the same room, as you have a games room.

@bumblebee39 reminiscing about the 80's is great, but unfortunately life for teenagers today is completely different.

Consoles, social media and technology play a big part. Having an hour each or sharing when both already have consoles is just creating arguments you can easily solve with a £100 Tv.

I'm not saying everyone can afford a second tv for £100 or more, but the OP didn't say finance was the issue in this particular example.

Yeah I really wish life were as simple as it used to be in terms of tech but it really isn't. I think we manage balance well, I'm just sick of the repeated issues our current set up causes but want to do best for my kids' wellbeing.

What makes you think I was born in the 80s?

My Dad worked for a big tech company at one point and we had access to all the latest gadgets (90s/noughties). I think that's why my parents were strict about it. They knew that tech could be a positive addition to our lives but also taught us the importance of libraries and things, and sports etc.

I guess as an early ish "millennial" I went through the silicone valley treatment as it is today... Montessori, forest school, wooden toys, outside time etc. Before they were Doing that so Much there. I also played GTA and the Sims and learnt to do some basic coding and things.

As I said... Balance

Give them an hour each per day, alternating which day each child goes first.

Television in bedrooms is linked to lower academic achievement and increased mental health problems

Evidence please?

Funnily enough, I've had a TV in my bedroom my whole life and it hasn't had an impact on my ability to do a PhD. DS has had a TV in his room since he was 3 and is More Able so that's utter bollocks.

As long as it's regulated, and it sounds like it will be, go for it, OP.

Also, TVs are cheap. Just picked up a second hand 32" for DS as his packed in for £40.

My boys are a lot younger than yours (4 & 9) and they squabble about what to watch when it's TV time. It wouldn't cross my mind to put TVs in their rooms though. I think it's a good opportunity for them to learn to compromise. If they end up fighting, I just turn the TV off and tell them if they can't agree then neither of them watches it. I think putting a TV in their room is a slippery slope and you'll never see them at all.

I honestly don't know what worlds people live in sometimes.

Why on earth wouldn't the OP see their children if they were in their rooms playing a game for an hour a day? JFC.