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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

What do you think about teenagers having TVs in their rooms?

67 replies

mumblechum · 11/07/2008 11:34

DS is 13 and although he hasn't said anything directly, he's been hinting that he wants a tv in his room.

I asked dh what he thought and he thinks it's a bad idea, as he can't be trusted to switch it off at a sensible time, and also it's quite nice for all three of us to watch tv together (we only watch TV 3 nights a week normally and it's only recorded films or series which we all like). DH also thinks ds will game a lot more if he has a tv in his room.

Do your teenagers have their own TVs, and if so are there any problems?

OP posts:
MarsLady · 11/07/2008 11:36

Mine aren't allowed TVs in their rooms. One in the house is enough!

Dropdeadfred · 11/07/2008 11:37

Do you think your DS wants his own TV because he perhaps DOES wantto watch TV more than 3 nights a week and perhsp his tv favourites have changed alot from yours but he doesn't want to tell you..?

My eldest dd's have had a TV in their rooms for years...BUT they are not connected to our digital service and have no ariel..therfor ethey can only watch videos/dvds or play games.

Dropdeadfred · 11/07/2008 11:38

I wouldn't imagine that a 13 yr olds TV choices would always perfectly match those of his parents....

chopchopbusybusy · 11/07/2008 11:41

DD1 is 14 and doesn't have one. Her TV choices don't always match ours, but there are other things to do...

Original poster
mumblechum · 11/07/2008 11:42

No, I know, if it was up to DS it would be a permanent loop of Top Gear. He does watch the main tv by himself in the living room whenever he wants, btw, and often dh and I are in the other livingroom listening to music, so it's not as if he can't watch tv within reason.

I guess the main problem is that he's a sneaky bugger and left to his own devices would be watching crap till midnight (his room's a long way away from ours and we wouldn't hear it).

Marslady, have your kids never asked for their own tvs?

OP posts:
palaver · 11/07/2008 11:44

he needs "Dave"

tortoiseSHELL · 11/07/2008 11:44

I don't have teenagers yet, but I don't think I would allow tvs in rooms - I think it would become a solitary activity rather than a social one and could end up with them only watching tv.

Tortington · 11/07/2008 11:45

i think teenagers should read books, not drink or take drugs and volunteer at a soup kitchen.

i would tell a 13 year old to get out with is mates

MarsLady · 11/07/2008 11:47

Yes. The answer never varies and now they don't ask.

TBH my sisters are more worried about the lack of TV in the children's rooms and were determined to buy one for DS1. I told them I'd send it back.

seeker · 11/07/2008 11:48

I don't allow anything "electronic" in bedrooms except radios and cd players. We have one TV - and we negotiate what we watch. But none of us watch much TV anyway - and dd sometimes catches up with some stuff that ds would rather eat wasps than watch, on Iplayer after he has gone to bed.

Pruners · 11/07/2008 11:49

Message withdrawn

seeker · 11/07/2008 11:49

Who mentioned "Dave"? We LOVE Dave!

herbietea · 11/07/2008 11:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
mumblechum · 11/07/2008 11:57

Thanks, everyone!

I'm a bit surprised at how many people don't allow TV in rooms. According to ds, he's the only kid on the planet not to have one...

This is all good, bearing in mind the fact that the cheapest little one in John Lewis is £250.

OP posts:
seeker · 11/07/2008 11:59

My dd said she was the only one too, so I asked round ~I think she might be right!

noddyholder · 11/07/2008 12:04

My ds has one for his x box but it doesn't have an aerial so is not a tv iyswim.He watches tv with us (rarely) stuff like tennis and documentaries(?) he loves eastenders and will try to watch it but its banned in this house so we switch it off and he just laughs!I don't think its a bad thing just unneccesary expense.He doesn't even bother with the I'm the only one stuff now.He has begged uas for a computer in his room when we move and I am not sure about that either

hopefully · 11/07/2008 12:14

In hindsight I am deeply grateful to my parents for not allowing me a tv in my room.

Maybe you could compromise and let him watch more tv downstairs? He could have 'his' tv time, but in a family room. Sorry if that's already been suggested...

PuppyMonkey · 11/07/2008 12:25

My 11 yo doesn't have a TV in her own room either - she also believes she's the only one in Britain not to. Ditto with ears pierced (previous thread on this actually!!), Wii, mobile phone etc.

Having said that - maybe you could let him watch his crap occasionally on your main TV. Nowt wrong with a bit of crap.

BTW, I do hope your three days worth are on Coronation Street nights...

PrimulaVeris · 11/07/2008 12:32

My dc's (12 + 9) not allowed TV in rooms - and intend not to. I'm also holding out against own laptops (which dh thinks is great idea ) because they'll never emerge, more difficult to monitor etc

The joys of Sky TV means that the whole family can watch the same crap altogether .. and they use BBC iPlayer on the computer on the rare occasions dh and I may be watching something more erudite

seeker · 11/07/2008 12:47

I do think that people need to have their own choices sometimes. I really don't think you can do the "something we all like" line all the time. I am frequently entertained listening to my children honing their nogotiation skills on each other. I have high hopes of my 7 year old son, who has on occasion persuaded his 12 year old sister to watch Match of the Day with him. She hasn't yet got him to watch an episode of Friends!

Original poster
mumblechum · 11/07/2008 12:56

Ds can watch tv in the main living room whenever he likes, except for about 5 hours a week when dh and I watch films & even then he usually wants to watch with us. DH spends a lot of his time in the garden (is obsessive gardener) and I may very occasionally pop onto mumsnet, just in passing, for a few seconds, you know how it is.

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 11/07/2008 13:22

Mine have had TVs in their rooms. dd (14) has got rid of hers because she rarely watched it and it took up valuable room. ds1&2 share and have a TV but it's not connected to the aeriel, they watch DVDs and have an X-box. Ds2 does play a lot of games but he gets out and about a lot too.

We also have a portable in the other sitting room, dh usually watches the footie on that because no-one else wants to watch it.

Uriel · 11/07/2008 13:31

I'd never do it. Well, maybe when they're 18 if they're still here!

southeastastra · 11/07/2008 13:54

ds(14) has one, it's great not to listen to the noisy playstation games, though he has once or twice left it on all night and he likes to watch gok wan too which is slightly worrying me.

brimfull · 11/07/2008 14:12

dd has one and never uses it
she is 16 has had it for 3 yrs
waste of money,although she occ watches dvd with friends in there

we found that the pc in her room was more of a problem in controlling her over use.we took it out a yr ago,a mutual decision to help her with her studies

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