How much computer/telly time do you allow your dc....?

[Earlybird]

I haven't had an official 'policy' regarding frequency/duration of telly and computer sessions for dd (age 6.5), but am wondering if I should.

Seems it could reduce discussions about what is OK, which I admit has been fairly arbitrary 'til now.

Hi Earlybird,

I have rules in my home....about the amount of tv time, pc, games console etc and the content watched.

Ds is now 9 and he knows he can have an hour in the morning of tv or games and an hour in the afternoon. He is also allowed to watch a dvd at bedtime IF all his chores and homework are done.

Our tv is on most of the time but only the news is on it.

Some people are happy to let dc watch more tv personally i prefer to encourage reading and imaginative play.

We don't have any restrictions regarding tv etc. 20years and 9 children it doesn't appear to have negatively affected their ability for reading, imaginative play or anything else for that matter. In fact, some things they watch have inclined them to read books to find out more, or been the basis for some of their games. Some things they watch do nothing more than allow them to relax which I think is a good thing.

No restrictions.

Telly, I don't have a particular duration restriction but I do have a policy of not on before 11am (and switched off at lunchtime) for ds2 and then not on again at 3.30pm (when ds1 gets back from school - again switched off at dinner time). If they're ever both out of the room after tv has been switched on then it also goes off. In the holidays I'm more relaxed.

Computer time is limited to 30mins - not because I think it's going to damage them (I think a well-chosen game is far better than tv time as it's less passive) but because they tend to start getting frustrated with the games after about that length of time and I would rather it ended on a positive note. I will extend it once they're older and can cope better.

They're 6 and 3.

sorry... not on again UNTIL 3.30 that should read

computer is limited to 2 hours,but with ds is a BATTLE.
tv - well weeknds and hlidays don't like it in the afternoon. I do let them veg out in the mornings. yesterday DH wanted t watch Uncle Buck, well (A) it was a 15 certificate, and (B)it is the aternoon and (C)can't we DO something. !! hence bike riding.
much more fun.
if they are watching tv i feel i must do housework, which i HATE. so that is my reasoning.

No restrictions in our house - they seem so busy during term time that I'm happy for them to do whatever they feel like in their free time.

I don't have rules either as such. Some days Dd (6) heardly watches anything and other times probably watches too much, but she self-regulates and has already switched off the tv after 2 progs this morning and gone off to play. She is very imaginative and loves loves loves reading and maths! Ds (3) does as his sister says , and still has the attention span of a gnat tbh when it comes to most things on tv. They also play nicely on Cbeebies together so will happily let them do that until I need to get on (not Cbeebies obviously)!

My dcs are preschool. I limit them to about 30min in the morning and the same at bedtime. This is not because I think too much tv is bad but because when it is on I want them to be glued to it so I can get dressed etc in peace. I found if it was on too much they didn't really watch it and tried to get in the shower with me. I think when they are older I will be more relaxed about it. There are some great programmes on. I never would have read the 3 musketeers if I hadn't watch dogtanian when I was a kid.

alucard: lol, I read three musketeers on the back of dogtanian too

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.

DD has not been a massive telly watcher or computer user historically, and doesn't have that natural inclination - though she certainly isn't averse to a 'pajama day' where longer sessions occur .

We've recently moved to another country and that combined with the summer lack of structure/routine has, I think, caused her to ask for more time. Also, there is alot on telly she hasn't seen before so suppose the novelty makes it more exciting.

If I'm honest, as a single mum who has had to organise the move and do a great deal of admin now that we're here to set our lives up, I've encouraged her to watch telly/go on the computer when I wanted to be guaranteed some peace and quiet to do something uninterrupted - hence the 'arbitrary' part mentioned in the OP.

Now that we're settling in, and I don't need to be undisturbed so much, I think we/she should cut back - but wondered if I should define that to dd in specific terms, and if so, what is 'reasonable' so she understands how much time she's allowed.

School here (unbelievably) starts on Wednesday of this week, so perhaps I'll simply let the change in routine be the natural limiter instead of big, bad mummy with her rules!

I think it will naturally change.

If I'm getting worried that the TV has been on too long, sometimes I'll say "come on guys, let's do X" and entice them away with something interesting (an activity in the garden, going out, etc) rather than say "right TV off now".

I think it makes less of a big deal about it plus helps them see they can do fun things without the telly too