What does everyone think about kids/babies and TV these days?

[Sterla]

So, I'm not wanting to start any debates or anything, but I was just wondering what people's thoughts are on kids/babies watching TV?

I've been quite cautious with DS and TV so far - I don't have it on in the house through the day, and only occasionally put something on for him to watch... but he does love it. And it is incredibly handy as a distraction if I need to get something done.

Has there been any recent (and decent) research done on the subject?

[Trillian]

I don't know about research on it that is current, but in this house it is used under moderation. I have seen families where they don't allow TV for their kids and naturally all their kids do when they go anywhere with a TV is park themselves in front of it because it is such a novelty and other families where there is zero communication between them all because TV is God kwim? Both of those extremes are bad IMO. If you are concerned about it, maybe you can have structured viewing so you pick and choose which shows you think are OK for him to watch.

[Inanna]

There was a recent study done that suggested that television viewing before 2 years was detrimental. I don't have the study - but I could try & find it.

Basically babies need stimulation from gentle roles. The lights and action etc is thought to not be great.

I personally have a minimal tv rule. Certainly when they were really little. Now, there are select shows & I try hard to watch with them.

Like Trillian said when there is no tv it can lead to an obsession...

I find the subtle messages from shows like "The Simpsons" etc really off. So there are shows that are no go in our house.

[BrightSparkles]

I've been guilty of using it as a babysitter sometime
When DD wakes up ASTRONOMICALLY early and won't go back to sleep and wants to play I have been known to put her in the portacot with a DVD on I can rest a little bit more.

Otherwise we really only watch playschool - where we dance and act like lunatics around the house and sometime the wiggles.

[Astrid]

I have seen families where they don't allow TV for their kids and naturally all their kids do when they go anywhere with a TV is park themselves in front of it because it is such a novelty

Have seen that too many times. I hate having to turn the TV off in my home due to children who refuse to play as it is on. My DD1 is a bit TV obsessed at times, but she at least can walk away from a TV that is on to go and play. We tend to have the TV on a bit, but it is something that tends to be on the background whilst we do other things. When DD1 was a bub we were quite careful with what we had on, but have not been able to do the same with DD2.

Like anything it is a matter of balance. I feel torn, at times I hate DD1's demanding of the TV and not liking it when we change the channel even when she is in another room, but I think I prefer it over a zoned out child who cannot even walk past a turned on TV without glazing over.

[Sammiejane]

I have always been one to try to avoid having the TV on.
Certianly when MJ was younger she didnt watch anything.
Now it will occasionally go on when i am preparing dinner.
It is always a childrens program, she loves watching Elmo's world, she got these for a gift when she was 1, but only has started watching them since about 18months. before that she just wasnt interested in the TV at all.
Even now, she would much prefer to help me with dinner and wanders in and asks to help, which she is always allowed to do.

In moderation it is OK in my books, certianly not every day and not longer than 1 hour in our house, but that me and how we do things... each to their own.

I will admit however that we recently drove home from Byron Bay to Melb and although i was initaially REALLY against having a DVD in the car, it was the best thing, she was entertained the whole way in the car (which there was no way we could have done for 3 days straight) she didnt watch it all the time, but it was great when we needed to drive that little bit more and the singing and stories and games just didnt cut it... I will add that the DVD's have been removed from the car and will not go back in until we do another really big drive.

[Lolli]

My ds is a square eyes. He is one of those kids who tends to zone out when the tv is on, if it's osmething he finds particularly interesting. That's just him. we don't have the tv going all day, I mainly use it for a bit of peace and quiet at arsenic hour. I make sure it's age appropriate- tbh, we only ever watch dvd's because kids shows aren't on when I need them. And because he's a square eye, I much prefer shows that get him up and dancing- PlaySchool, the Wiggles, Hi 5.

I think it's like Trill said- another one of those 'everything in moderation' things.

[Dansta]

we have the TV on from about 4pm onwards here (i loooove the cooking shows they have on 72 ) but nothing untill then, unless its just the sound from the TV KWIM? DS isnt all that into TV, hes more into people - but hes the same with toys. not a huge interest in them.

[Arimeh]

Hmm.. well you've been to my house enough times now to know mine is always on!!!

But a lot of the time its just background noise - especially when you come over - cos my kids are so obsessed with you.. teeheehee

[Moi]

I rarely use the TV and I find that DD isn't interested in it anyway. I guess that might change as she gets older. I do use it occasionally to distract her, but it doesn't distract her long (maybe 5 mins max). She'd rather be off playing with her things.

[Trillian]

You know, I have always thought that in-car DVD's contribute to driver fatigue. When we were kids and on a long road trip we stopped every two hours or so because we needed to run off a bit of steam because we started getting tetchy with each other, so Mum and Dad got a rest as well. And I know myself when we've been on long trips with the kids that the happier they are the more likely you are to keep driving kwim? Plus I think that does there really need to be DVD's in cars?

[Tan2705]

DS doesn't really give two hoots about tv - unless it's IN THE BLOOMIN NIGHT GARDEN UGH - thanks Nonna for that one! I have tried to use it as a distraction but it just won't hold his attention. I have however had it on lately, now that the tennis has started and he will actually stand in front and try to return the ball HAHA

[Sammiejane]

You know, I have always thought that in-car DVD's contribute to driver fatigue. When we were kids and on a long road trip we stopped every two hours or so because we needed to run off a bit of steam because we started getting tetchy with each other, so Mum and Dad got a rest as well. And I know myself when we've been on long trips with the kids that the happier they are the more likely you are to keep driving kwim? Plus I think that does there really need to be DVD's in cars?

Trillian,
Just to clarify, we did stop every 2-3 hours for a run, a drink/snack and a wee, and the DVD's were not used continually. but after 6-10 hours in the car in one day (and for 3 days) there are only so many songs and stories and games that you can play. Yes i never had them as a child and i coped, yes loads of other children will do 3 day drives and cope without a DVD, but all i was saying was that it was BRILLIANT and another distraction (not the only one).
And again i also will clarify that the DVD's are out of the car now and will not go back in until the next holiday as i believe that there is no place for them on short journeys (and that include visits to the IL which are over an hour away)