What is a good age for a child to get a TV in their bedroom?

Question

When my sisters and I were teenagers we got our own TV (back in the 1980s) now it seems that children much younger get this? What do you think?

Answer 1

I think that these days such limited social interaction takes place between families that any time where the family are together - even if it is with them watching the TV together - is to be encouraged. So, you don't want any children watching on their own instead. Obviously the practical advantage of the child having his/her own TV is that the parents can watch something different - but if that isn't an issue then I think that the decision to give a child his/her own TV should be deferred - and that the family should continue to communicate even when the TV is on. That has to be more healthy.

Answer 2

everyone is opinionated and it is great. my opinion honestly is they probably shouldn't have a TV in there room they would sleep better. there would be a place to the send for school work and punishment if necessary. though i have to say though it is my opinion now, i did go against my better judgment here. long before this opinion was formed lol. i have a son almost 5 he was sickly when born severely until age 3 (he still is but gotten much better) so he always slept in my room. i grew up falling asleep with the TV on. i was a single mom and there were no issues with him being in my room. i got married and we had to "graduate" him to his own room. he was fine for a while then went and visited his dad and became terrified of dark and quite. never got the details not sure why or what happened. he then got a TV in his room and sleeps with it on was the only way to get him to sleep through the night. though some children see getting a TV in there room as a privilege such as a phone. when you think your child's has earned that privilege then do it. just because you put a TV in there room doesn't mean they will become a loner or obsessive TV maniac. the parent controls. you set the rules. you teach your child. so the op ions out there that a TV can turn things neg. is only when the parent allows it to happen. you no everything has parental control now even cable. your the parent you make the judgment when you feel your child has reached a proper age. then if you want to put a TV in there room go for it. the child will love it and like i said do it on a privilege basis. i wish i had of followed my own thoughts. but we learn as we grow as do our kids. hope this helped even a little.

Answer 3

We have a multi level home so our son did get a TV at a young age..about 2 1/2 or 3. We didn't want him trying to go up and down the stairs alone or trying ot climb the baby gates. We did a few things to avoid him only wanting to watch it though. We mounted high on the wall so he couldn't reach it. We didn't want him to be able to pull over a dresser or cabnet so it could crush him. His tv is not hooked up to the household antenae or the satalite. He is able to only watch tapes or DVD I have bought or made for him. He has an assortment of books and small toys in his room. I am very mindful of what is on any tv in my house especially when he is running around. I monitor everything he watches and he is not allowed to watch just any cartoon. I let him watch Noggin and some Nick Jr. I have recorded several DVDs of programs from there so if he wants to watch tv after those channels cartoon programming has ended for the day, he has cartoons to watch. Any new (store bought) DVD has to be preveiwed by me first before he is allowed to see it. We record the shows we like and watch them after he is in bed. Something seems to have worked. Our son would much rather play and be active than watch his tv all the time. He really only just sits and watches is he is a little tired or if it is storming outside. He likes playing in the rain (as long as there's no lightening) so even that doesn't stop him from playing. It has helped that I am a SAHM and I treat the raising of my child serious. I have been able to set ground rules and be here to ensure they are followed. Our situation is definately not for everyone, but it has worked for us. I guess it depends on the child as well as the parents that are determining factors in what a child gets and at what age. When I was growing up (80's and 90's) my siblings and I never got a tv in our rooms. We didn't get any phones either.

Answer 4

I never had a TV in my bedroom growing up as my parents insisted that they monitored my viewing and that I spent family time with the family (even watching TV).

Why would you want your child to have a TV in the bedroom? Isn't there a TV in a family area that they can view?

I don't agree with TV's or computers in children's bedroom, this should be monitored and regulated by parents.

My brothers oldest daughter is 14 and she doesn't have a TV in the bedroom, if she wants to watch TV, then she comes downstairs.

The minute you start cramming entertainment devices into the bedroom, the less your children will converse and actively be involved in family life.

There is a sad decline of family life within the UK and TV's and computers in bedrooms do nothing to help the issue.

But then again, I was strung up earlier for saying that I thought it disgusting that parents were giving their 10 year old children mobile phones because they didn't know where they were.

Answer 5

I don't think it's a good idea for a child of any age. There is no need for it. Although I did get a TV of my own in my room when I lived at home, but I believe I was out of school already and everything. I didn't get it too long before I moved out on my own.

Answer 6

I think that the room is the child's room, and should be for them to enjoy. If they wish to have a telly in it why not !, as many homes now do not have the luxury of a 2ND lounge or playroom, so the child has somewhere to go to watch a film or play on console with friends. Honestly, if they are sent to their room, just tell them not to put it on. My children all had one from about the age of 7....but really only watch the occasional film etc on video/DVD and play games with friends. Because they have one, doesn`t mean they will watch rubbish...it`s up to parents to guide them and there are a lot of fascinating wildlife etc documentaries that might not interest the whole family.

Answer 7

In my personal opinion.........when they are living on their own. My son is 27 and on his own and he never had a tv in his room while living her and neither did the other older ones. I have a 10 yr old here and no way will she get a tv....or a phone in her room. There is no reason for kids to have a tv in their room. Should be in the living room a place where the whole family can watch a good show together.

Answer 8

Never. TV in the bedroom can be a bad idea. You can always convert a room into a play room or a "tv room" and let them watch tv on their own there. Sometimes kids get a little dependent on falling asleep to the tv. it's hard to get it away from them. I think kids watch too much tv these days.

Answer 9

I think a child should have a TV in their room when they can afford to buy themselves one.

Children need guidance and leaving them to make their own choice about their viewing is irresponsible, my friend left her 6 year old in bed watching a video, when the video finished it went on to TV and the film Carrie was showing, he was too scared to get out of bed and turn it off and watched the whole film!!

I also remember at a family party discussing a pretty disturbing programme about STD's when my 11 year old cousin said "yeah I saw that, did you see those genital warts? really gross - I'm never eating cauliflower again"!! My aunt shrugged and said "she doesn't sleep so she sits up all night watching TV!!

I would never risk these things happening with my son - so he only watches TV in the family room! And I am proud that we are a "One TV family"!

Answer 10

I don't think a child should ever have a TV in his/her room. A bedroom is for sleeping/studying. To have a TV in the bedroom is to introduce the drivel of television into the calm of a sleeping place. No wonder some people can't figure out what to do without their TVs.