TV snobbery

[Modernfamily101]

I grew up without a TV. It was unusual in the 80s, but my parents said they wanted to encourage us to read and play games and be creative, and often said they felt TV was a cop out for parents who couldn't be arsed to entertain their kids.

So if I'm honest I've grown up being a snob about TV and thinking it's lazy parenting that does damage to kids brains and turns them into zombies.

And I was planning to be a no-TV family too, and definitely no screens until age 2.

However, I have a lot of friends with kids - some with TVs and some who don't - and honestly I feel like the houses where there are TVs feel more relaxed and calm, they can send their kids off to watch TV for half an hour while prepping dinner, there's less moaning and whinging (particularly when the kids are tired), and even young kids of 12 months can be pacified by it for a surprising amount of time. And I don't feel like these kids are any less creative or willing to play outside than those who don't have a TV.

I compare that to my brother and sister's kids (no TV) who are always under their feet and needing constant entertainment (they are 2) and just wonder if this is really the best thing for the parents or the kids.

So my question is do you think it's bad for kids - especially young kids - watch TV or have any screen time at all? Is it a necessary evil that helps parents cope or is it actively good for kids? If so how much is ok and from what age?

I think if it's small amounts and you regulate what they're watching it's ok (Peppa pig is atrocious), half an hour a day while you're making dinner is fine. I don't like the tablet thing though, especially for very young children in restaurants etc.

My best friend when I was a child didn’t have a tv in her house.

It made her absolutely DESPERATE to watch tv at any other time. She’d come to my house and it was literally all she wanted to do. Very boring and made her a tv addict when older.

My children learned a HUGE amount from age appropriate tv, e.g. CBeebies.
The programming introduces lots of concepts and topics and is fantastic for vocabulary development.

I kept them away from commercial channels with adverts for as long as possible.

My eldest DD is 33, I've never actively limited screen time. But my children played outside and went to dancing/gymnastics etc.

I don't believe that your question can be answered because it's about balance.

Television/gaming becomes an issue when the child is doing little ekse and there aren't any other things, such as board ganes/crafts done.

There's a lot of good programmes on and having YouTube gives you access to all sorts of different music and stuff.

We let ours watch Netflix when we just can’t take anymore. But we recognise that it’s shot parenting. But we can’t realistically be good parents all the time.

Our children a pretty good at entertaining themselves though. We just don’t pander to attention seeking. If they want to engage with us on an adult level of course we engage but we don’t participate in their games. If they want that kind of entertainment they can do it themselves. So they’re generally not too much trouble.

If you have it on as background. Pose it’s a negative I’m sure but choosing something to watch together or for half an hour whilst you prep dinner? No problem at all with it.

We have 4 children I’m very grateful for TV and mine are definitely normal in terms of development and willingness to engage.

There’s a lot of shite on TV but there’s also a lot of educational, interesting, stimulating stuff too.
It’s surely a matter of content?
My 3 dc grew up with TV. They are all intelligent, well rounded and sociable.
It’s also lovely when the whole family snuggle up on the sofa to watch something we all enjoy

My DS is only 10 months but, so far, has shown absolutely zero interest in the TV. The only time it captures his attention is if there’s a tune he likes (E.g. on an advert) or when a nature documentary is on, he loves watching the animals. Children’s programmes don’t even register for him right now!

One of DD’s favourite things to watch since about 5 was (still is) CountryFile.

“My best friend when I was a child didn’t have a TV in her house. It made her absolutely DESPERATE to watch TV at any other time.”

You could be describing me. My mother thought that the “gogglebox” was for lower mortals so we didn’t have a TV until I was in my last year at primary school, after a teacher told my mum that we were deprived.

I can understand snobbery about certain TV programmes, but snobbery about all TV is ridiculous. TV can be entertaining, educational and informative. And, yes, it is a good babysitter. When we moved house I admit that I plonked 3 year old DD in front of the TV so that I could paint the bedroom. I happily pay my licence fee and feel that it is good value for money.

TV can be brilliant- quality children’s TV in particular is wonderful and educational. And how can you be a well rounded intellectual person without having seen some David Attenborough?

The TV is bad mentality is very old fashioned- as you point out youSelf OP, it’s very 80s. Now people are snobby about iPads, you tube and computer games instead

Just like with everything else extremes are what is harmful. So TV on all day everyday with no consideration of what's on and as the only stimulation provided...bad. No TV ever and no other sources of information,news or things that might help kids relate with their peers,also bad.
Most people manage to find a balance with some not so great days sometimes due to circumstances.

My best friend when I was a child didn’t have a TV in her house. It made her absolutely DESPERATE to watch TV at any other time.

My brother did this from age 8-15. After school, he'd go anywhere but home, and stuff his face with chocolate where it was available (we weren't allowed that either), but he grew out of it by mid-teens and doesn't have one now.

I agree with people saying content is important - my and my siblings' general knowledge as adults is actually really poor - we'd make a terrible pub quiz team! And I've often felt that's because we didn't have a TV.

I guess it's just a question of controlling what is watched, and making sure it doesn't just descend from countryfile (fine - just googled it ) into endless replays of mindless tosh (whatever that may be).

I don't think TV is needed for learning, but likewise I don't think TV is the devil when used sparingly. We don't have the t.v. on everyday, and only use it when only one parent is around and struggling to get dinner done. Phones and tablets when out and about is an absolute no no.

Kids need to learn to entertain themselves, they need to be able to cope with a bit of boredom now and again. But with the continuing rise of technology, I do believe that kids should have appropriate usage as they get older