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Original poster

Tv in kids room

103 replies

Pumpkin5piced · 10/10/2021 18:00

Ds 9 is asking for a tv. He watches it constantly in living room anyway so won’t really increase screen time, will just free up living room tv for others.
I’m worried about night times though. I won’t want him watching it at bed time but can see it being a battle.
What rules do others have around tv in bedrooms?

Also, is it possible to get one that can access Netflix but not youtube?

OP posts:
Dojacatpaws · 10/10/2021 18:02

No way

gab254 · 10/10/2021 18:03

We don't have TVs in the bedrooms and we won't until they are much, much older (ages 8 to 3 here), my kids have tablets they use freely but again, not in their bedrooms so I can keep an eye on what they are doing/watching.

But I know lots of people who do have them and kids who have had them in their rooms since they were a baby.

Quornflakegirl · 10/10/2021 18:05

We only have a tv in the living room, I am not keen on them in any bedrooms.

Jaysmith71 · 10/10/2021 18:05

Maybe get one with a PIN Lock?

SleepingStandingUp · 10/10/2021 18:06

Well I wouldn't want him in his room from dusk til Dawn glued to the telly with free reign on Netflix so no.

At least in the living room you can still interact with him, have your stuff on, turn it off etc.
I wouldn't ry consider TV in rooms until about 13

MyDcAreMarvel · 10/10/2021 18:06

I wouldn’t, but if you do you can lock app with a sky q box including the mini ones.

Rolypolybabies · 10/10/2021 18:08

Going against the grain, mine have had a TV in their room since aged 3ish. They watch a little bit sometimes but aren't really bothered by it. Nice to have a spare if we watch something else. Think it depends on your child. If they are very screen focused it may not be the best plan!

Jangle33 · 10/10/2021 18:08

Why is he watching it constantly already? And why do you wonder about him watching it at bedtime? Surely you just tell him he can’t, he’s 9 not 19!

WishMyNameWasWittyNotShitty · 10/10/2021 18:08

We do have one in the our DC room, however it is on a smart plug that also acts as a timer, and so we set the times that it is allowed to be on and can over ride easily if behaviour etc causes.

There is access to free view channels....it usually stays on the kids channels....cbbc pop citv etc and also a firestick, however that only has iplayer kids on that dc can access.

So far it hasn't caused any issues, but the boundaries were put in place before the tv was, and so the rules haven't changed and tbh it is on a bit in the morning whilst I get ready, and sometimes during the day if playing in their room, but not always.

MattHancocksSexTape · 10/10/2021 18:08

You can block YouTube to any specific device on your home Wi-Fi by using your router settings. So it would be possible to do.

JaninaDuszejko · 10/10/2021 18:11

No, my eldest is 13 and we don't have any electronic devices in bedrooms overnight. Get him a tablet then you can take it away and have some rules about screen time.

CatFaceCats · 10/10/2021 18:16

Mine are 9 and 10 and do. I put the apps on I wanted them to have. They have Netflix and kids YouTube. Their Netflix accounts are kids ones and my Netflix has a PIN so they can’t access it. I used to take the remotes when I tucked them in at night, I generally don’t need to now as they usually just turn them off and pop and audiobook on when sleepy. They actually don’t watch it too much - although now it’s getting colder and darker they will be inside more than out with friends so will watch more.

thetesdybears · 10/10/2021 18:22

My little girl has had one since she was 3yrs old in her room. She doesn't watch it every day. Sometimes takes herself off to watch a film or kids Netflix.

Her tv actually has a YouTube and Netflix button. A lot of the newer TVs have this.

Original poster
Pumpkin5piced · 10/10/2021 18:26

I always had a tv in my room as a kid and it didn’t do me any harm. To be honest, I want my living room tv back so it’s be nice for him to be able to go and watch it in his room for a bit.
The thing he is obsessed with is YouTube so my main issue is ensuring he can’t access that or it’s be on in his bedroom all day long. He’s not that fussed about Netflix or freeview channels so I doubt he’d even use it loads.
I don’t want to pay for a sky q box. Was hoping to just get a cheap smart tv with Netflix on it.
At night I imagine I’d just have to take the remote.

He has asd and adhd so it’s not as easy as just saying no.

OP posts:
GreenLakes · 10/10/2021 18:58

The biggest issue here is that he’s ‘watching it constantly’ as it is. No wonder he wants one in his room.

My DC are teens and their screen time is limited and has to be earned by study and chores.

Tbh a 9 year old should have very limited screen time.

Original poster
Pumpkin5piced · 10/10/2021 19:04

It’s more on as background than watching it constantly. Screens are how he regulates unfortunately. He doesn’t ‘play’ in tbe way other kids his age do. So when we are at home he’s generally on the iPad or watching tv. I’ve spent years fighting it but have given up now and just make sure he gets out as much as possible.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pumpkin5piced · 10/10/2021 19:05

I also don’t think screens are as evil as everyone makes out and certainly wouldn’t be controlling the screen time of a teenager. Although I do think social media is evil for teens.

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 10/10/2021 19:07

Sounds like you want to get him one so do.

I wouldn’t but whatever works.

MamaSJ15 · 10/10/2021 19:11

I also grew up with a TV in my room, and completely get what you mean when the TV is on in the background. I like the have the TV on for a bit of noise to be honest, it gets a bit quiet otherwise!
In regards to a TV in the bedroom, I don't see it such a bad thing really as long as it's monitored. I can't relate to ADHD so not sure how to deal with the 'saying no' part but overall I don't see a huge issue.

ShinyGreenElephant · 10/10/2021 19:11

I wouldnt at 9. I'm getting my dd13 one for Christmas because I'm fed up of my living room being full of teenagers, and I agonised over that as I'm not sure how I can limit it once its in there

Original poster
Pumpkin5piced · 10/10/2021 19:15

I have no issues with kids having a tv in tbe bedroom in general. My daughter had one from about 5. I really don’t see why some people are against it but each to their own I suppose.

With my son, it’s different though because of his needs. I know he’ll find it hard to accept he can’t watch it at bedtime.

My main concern though, is YouTube. I was hoping someone would be able to tell me if it’s possible to get Netflix without YouTube.
If the tv only had freeview he wouldn’t be interested.

OP posts:
Morgan12 · 10/10/2021 19:19

It's just a telly. Get him one. He will be fine.

Ignore the competitive 'no screen time' people. You shouldn't have asked on here really. It's very anti screen/gaming etc. Think people need to start living in these times tbh.

SecretGardenn · 10/10/2021 19:23

I had a TV in my room growing up. If I stirred randomly at 1am I'd quietly put it on and watched really inappropriate stuff.
Mine will never have a TV in their room and I wouldn't recommend it. But I do allow a portable Dvd player

residentkaleidoscope · 10/10/2021 19:25

I had a tv in my room and so do my children. I put it on sleep timer and bring the remotes in my room. Once the tv goes off no one kicks up a fuss. Get him one.

Kaceya2230 · 10/10/2021 19:28

My son has one. He's autistic and it's the only way I can get him to actually stay in bed rather than getting out multiple times! He has a set time every night where it gets turned off! I then take the remote away so he can't switch it back on...

I always had a tv in my room growing up too!

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