Why do people give thumbs down to people who recommend against TV?

Question

I just don't get it. Mention that the American Academy of Pediatrics says no TV for kids under two and you get lots of thumbs down votes. Do people not believe that the AAP knows what they're talking about? Or do they believe we're wrong for giving that information out to people who are asking about tv for babies and toddlers? Somebody enlighten me, please.

I understand if someone asks what shows would be good for a three-year-old why it's not a good answer but if someone asks "Is X-show appropriate for a one-year-old" a legitimate answer could be "No, because TV is not appropriate for a one-year-old."

Answer 1

Most parents are too lazy to spend quality time with their kids and would rather use the tv as a babysitter. Most of the people on Yahoo! Answers aren't the brightest bulbs either.
Keep giving out great advice and info. It might sink in for someone :)

Answer 2

I don't know... I have 2 bright kids, a 3 year old and a 21 month old. The 3 year old has learned SO much from tv, not that I don't teach her a lot but there ARE educational shows on tv. Some children's shows stimulate imagination, some promote words, cognitive thinking, counting. Not everything is crap.

Answer 3

A lot of people give thumbs down because it's a bad answer for that particular question.

For example, if I ask "What's a good clean show for my 3-year-old to watch? I don't want him to see anything bad but he loves TV." and someone answers "Don't let him watch TV, it's bad for him." that's not a good answer to my question. A good answer would be something like "Sesame Street" or "Blues Clues".

Of course the AAP knows about kids, but that's not the issue when that's not the question. It's a totally valid viewpoint and a great source to cite, but it usually completely ignores the asker's question.

Answer 4

Probably because alot of people think TV is the devil. they say IT's got ads on it, bad shows, etc. Unless you're watching something educational, like national geographic or something. And as for that no TV for 2 year olds, it's because the light from TV coud really hurt your eyes if you watch it for a long time.

Answer 5

Because they allow their children to watch tv and by saying it's detrimental they feel you're attacking their parenting skills? I'm not sure. I get a thumbs down on every question I answer, it made me mad at first but I guess it's diff strokes for diff folks and the "best answer" is relative to the opinions/beliefs of the person asking the question.

Answer 6

I give that answer all the time..at least twice today and yep--nothing but "thumbs downs".

I guess people would rather their child have ADD than sitting down and playing a game with them. I guess people see these "baby themed cartoons" and think it's meant for infants and toddlers--wrong.

Have you noticed Nick Jr., the Disney Channel, etc. all call their shows "preschool television"? Well they do. Why? Because that's who those shows are supposed to be for--preschoolers who are over the age of 2 and it is okay for them to watch television.

Answer 7

Because most people use the TV as a babysitter and when you attack that, they get defensive. It's really quite sad.

Answer 8

I dont really care i let my daughter watch tv...if its soo bad whys there so many little kids shows? and so many cartoons? when are they going to watch teletubbes? when there 15? i cant even get my daughter to watch it anymore since she turned 2!

Answer 9

tv is devil poison. the devil!!!!!