Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

Original poster

TV in bedroom - age 12

65 replies

gracerowansmum · 19/01/2018 11:38

I want to get my daughter a TV for her room for 12th birthday. Ex doesn't agree its a good plan, we have a good relationship and I dont want to fall out with him about it. Would like some help deciding what is the right thing to do, I trust her not to be up there all day and late into the night watching it, she works hard at school and does loads of sport, we are an active sociable family. Can you tell me your experiences with TV's in bedrooms at this age? Thank you :-)

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 19/01/2018 11:40

How would you monitor what content she watches?

NorthernSpirit · 19/01/2018 11:48

I think it’s wrong. How will you monitor what she watches? If it’s on late? It’s diffic enough to get kids off TV or devices before bedtime. Kids spend so much time wedded to phone screens I don’t think they need a TV screen in their bedroom to tempt them. TVs emit blue light and interfere with sleep. You will end up with a sleep deprived child.

Evelynismyformerspyname · 19/01/2018 11:54

I think you can time limit TVs these days, though you'd probably need a more expensive TV ... None of us (adults included) have TVs in our rooms, as they are bad for restful sleep even when off and we prefer to have them in public spaces. We do have a basement room set up as a kids' den where they can watch TV. That TV only works via internet and is time restricted and has parental controls (pin needed for content over a 12 rating).

lostinblankers · 19/01/2018 11:55

Flat no. No one in our house has tv in bedroom. Other people think it's ok. That's their call. I probably allow my dd to do stuff that other people think is horrendous like... eat breakfast cereal, judging by a recent thread.

If it was a disagreement on this between me and dh, I would not back down. We both think the same on this so that wouldn't arise.

Member212711 · 19/01/2018 12:34

Why does she need one? My view is a very strong no as well.

lynmilne65 · 19/01/2018 13:59

Not now not ever

NorthernSpirit · 19/01/2018 14:17

Totally agree with other posters on the ‘no’.

Do you remember (i’m in my 40’s) when there was one TV in the house and a landline phone. Not numerous TV’s, iPads, computers, mobiles to distract kids and keep them in doors. We were so bored that we knocked around outside and made our own fun. I hate the fact now that kids can’t self entertain, they are glued to screens and expect parents to ferry them around.

Bedrooms are for sleeping (for kids). They don’t need anymore distractions.

ElanorGamgee · 19/01/2018 14:24

It would be a no here as well. Same age DD. We don't allow any tech upstairs on a school night either, DD's iPad, laptop etc has to be left in the study charging.

Only thing allowed in her room is an iPod touch which connects to her radio, I don't mind her listening to music or a book til 9:45 ish.

EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic · 19/01/2018 19:14

I had a tv in my bedroom from 11. Can’t remember ever doing any homework again.

BlindLemonAlley · 20/01/2018 18:02

No. Why does she need one in her bedroom? I assume at this age she has a phone and or other devices so this is just another screen to add to the list of distractions. Having a tv in her room means she will also be spending more time in her room away from the family.

Iloveantiques · 20/01/2018 18:16

My 13 year old got one for Christmas. It's as easy to monitor her tv watching in her bedroom as in the living room and she's not watching any more tv than before. But it means I don't have to watch what she watches. Which was the whole point.

Heratnumber7 · 20/01/2018 18:17

Another No.
Why does she need a tv in her room?

Intercom · 20/01/2018 18:30

Another no.

Slippery · 20/01/2018 18:36

My DS has had one in his room since he was 10, but it wasn't connected to an aerial, and only used for watching DVDs. He's never really enjoyed watching telly though, so it's not been an issue.

He has had his Xbox in his room since age 14.5, and uses the tv for that now, and can watch terrestrial tv through it, but rarely bothers.

stargirl1701 · 20/01/2018 18:39

No TVs in any bedrooms here regardless of age. The blue light is highly disruptive to sleep.

snackarella · 20/01/2018 18:46

I don't think it's that big a deal is it? I had one from about 10 and I still did my homework. My bedroom door was always open so parents knew what o was doing

uhoh2016 · 20/01/2018 22:34

I must be the only parent in the world that my children have tv in their room, shock horror they even have a virgin box too! Quick ring SS 😩

EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic · 21/01/2018 08:44

Don’t think you are uhoh. Know loads of families that do. Most of DS’ friends have gaming consoles in their bedrooms too it’s just that we choose not to Smile

Trailedanderror · 21/01/2018 08:47

Your trust is misplaced and putting too much responsibility on her to self regulate and know what is a sensible amount to watch. That's your job.

Fatbergs · 21/01/2018 08:53

No. I wouldn't ever have got anything done if i'd had a telly!

MrsDrSpencerReid · 21/01/2018 08:58

My DD’s had one in her room for years, never been a problem. It’s not hooked up to an aerial so she can only watch DVDs.
I don’t have a problem with screen time, we walk to school 20mins each way, she plays lots of sport, does other extra curricular activities, very outdoorsy kid so I have no worries about her unwinding in her room with a movie.
DS doesn’t have one in his room, never shown an interest in having one.

LunarGirl · 21/01/2018 08:58

DS is nearly 10 and he's had a TV in his room since he was 5. It's connected to his xbox so he uses it to play games or watch dvds during the day. He doesn't use them at bedtime. I had a TV in my room as a child and I knew the rules. No TV on a school night until homework was done, TV off at a certain time.

I don't see the issue personally.

metalmum15 · 21/01/2018 09:06

We don't have any tvs upstairs, however dc have tablets that they can watch Amazon, Netflix on etc. We have simple rules that they have to be switched off by a certain time on school nights etc. It's not hard for you to check in the evening that she's following your rules. I had a little black and white tv in my room as a teenager and thought it was brilliant.

NerrSnerr · 21/01/2018 09:08

A lot of people saying no but nowadays teenagers will watch Netflix etc on laptops/ tablets in their rooms so no different.

I had a telly in my room as a teen and enjoyed having quiet time to myself. It depends on the child I guess.

Candyandpop · 21/01/2018 09:12

Why would she need a tv in her bedroom at 12? No way!