Television - the Big Debate

Children's television viewing should be strictly limited and supervised. Children copy so many things that they see people do and say that it can be a huge influence on their behaviour. We allow around half an hour a day on average but this varies depending on what we're doing, with sometimes no television for several days in a row and then maybe we'll watch Mary Poppins or something similar. On the whole we allow half an hour chunks of suitable videos or CBeebies. I have found that the children get irritable after watching TV for any longer and there are so many other things for them to be doing. I would far rather they were playing or reading stories with me, although I do think that they learn a lot from some of the CBeebies programmes. And even children need to 'switch off' in front of the TV and relax sometimes. My husband is also keen that they don't miss out too much in the future on playground discussions on favourite TV programmes.

One thing I am very strict about is the channel that they watch - we don't allow any channels where there are advertisements and the vast majority of the time it is just CBeebies.  I strongly disagree with the marketing that is aimed directly at these vulnerable little minds. If they don't see the adverts, then 'pester-power' is not an issue.

My husband and I don't watch day-time television so the children aren't exposed to TV watching as an example or to any unsuitable programmes - the only times they see 'grown-up' TV is when there's a Grand Prix or an event such as Live Aid.

I don't see any harm in using television as a 'baby-sitter' occasionally, but only in certain circumstances, for example where I'm making the children's lunch.  And then I make a point of popping in to see what Doodle-do are making today or to gasp at Cinderella's beautiful dress!

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Personally, I feel that we 'demonise' television too much. I don't see too much harm in it as long as it is only a part of a child's entertainment and as long as the child is only watching age-appropriate programmes.

My children go to nursery and pre-school. We go to Open House, playgroups, music groups and swimming. We are at the playground at least once a week when the weather permits, have a season ticket to Standalone Farm and are regular visitors at soft play areas.

Given all this stimulation and activity, I am not really concerned if the television is on for three or four hours a day. In our house, it tends to work parallel to play. The children will usually be playing with Lego or cars whilst the television is on. Also, they don't share the same taste in programmes so one might watch Fireman Sam but will wander off while the other watches Balamory. I am very strict about what I allow them to watch - CBeebies or similar videos, absolutely no advertising and no adult television permitted - but in terms of actual hours, I don't monitor this too closely.

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I grew up in a house without a television, and was still quite cheerfully TV-less 10 years after leaving home. Yes I was probably the only child in my class without a TV throughout my school years, and no I wasn't ostracised because of it, though I did sometimes get left out of playground discussions about Neighbours.

The standard question that anyone without a TV gets asked is "so what do you DO in the evenings?" I honestly don't remember being bored as a child. When we were older it's true that we got a computer and spent some of our time playing with that, but otherwise myself, my brother and sister did painting, drawing, dressing up, made cardboard models, played board games, built Lego, and on sunny days played for hours outside. With our mum - who fortunately loved playing with children - we enjoyed cooking, gardening, collages, puppet-making and a hundred other activities (whilst listening to the radio). We also had lots of small pets to look after, which took up a fair bit of time! And we read books. Hundreds of books. Pretty much the entire stock of our local library.

Of course we did watch TV at friends' houses, and occasionally at our grandparents'. Since this was a rare treat, the novelty factor could keep us mesmerised and totally silent for three hours at a stretch (well probably 30 hours, to be honest) which I'm sure came in handy now and again!

I'm not totally anti-TV - whilst I was pregnant, my husband persuaded me that it was finally time we bought one. Since our cinema-going days were obviously numbered he looked forward to spending some evenings in front of a good DVD (or possibly he just wanted to watch the football). I still never watch daytime TV, but when it's on in the evening it's obvious that our baby son is already hypnotised by the moving pictures. I admit I'm a bit disturbed by it. I know he will grow up in a TV-centred world but I'd like to be pretty selective about what he watches at home, and I hope that for the most part I have the willpower to keep it turned off.

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I think with television it is a case of everything in moderation, and depends a lot on what your child or children are like. Also, how much telly the little one watches will depend a lot on whether yours is the type of house where the TV is left on all day as background noise. Personally, I don't really like TV, and will switch it on for a specific programme and then switch it off again, but my husband is the opposite and would have it on all day - the first thing he does when he comes in from work is switch the telly on, then go upstairs to get changed! Consequently (as my husband is out at work) our daughter will request a specific programme and we will just watch that then turn it off again. I think what they watch is also important - age appropriate programmes, or something educational such as natural history documentaries - and which channel - we much prefer CBeebies just because it doesn't have any adverts. However, that said, sometimes it is a lifesaver when you are ill or tired or just need 10 minutes peace and quiet!

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We keep TV viewing to an absolute minimum, and fortunately our boys (5, 3 and 1) are not too bothered by TV.  They do like their videos/DVDs, but these are closely vetted and, again, kept to a minimum.  We don't receive CBeebies channel in our area, and they are otherwise engaged when children's TV is on terrestrial, so they really haven't had the exposure to it.  I am not looking forward to the 'discovery' of certain TV characters, especially superheroes, although I do expect it now our eldest is at school. My main issues with TV in general are the apparent inappropriateness of so many supposedly children's programmes, particularly Saturday morning TV, and the advertising. We only have a small TV in the family room (the main TV with all the gadgets is kept in our 'grown-ups only' lounge!) which doesn't overwhelm them by being such a big focus point. At the right time, however, a video is a fantastic diversion or attention grabber!"

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Children's television is wonderful in this country and I think we should think ourselves lucky to have such quality programmes as Fireman Sam, Pocoyo, Peppa Pig, Bob the Builder, Balamory, Thomas etc, instead of ranting and raving about the evils of TV! These programmes are beautifully made, with entertaining but meaningful stories, and varied characters with recognisable human traits and foibles. As always, it's up to the individual family whether or not they plonk their child in front of the box for fifteen minutes or three hours. In my opinion, the latter is not recommended, as children need a range of activities and lots of interaction with real people rather than images, but in moderation children's TV is great entertainment for them. It's also a godsend to us mums/dads/carers, as we can buy ourselves half an hour to do chores, make phone calls, etc, or just to put our feet up at the end of another day spent running about after our noisy, demanding toddlers. Fantastic!

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I don't think the constant noise of television and lack of imagination stimulation is good for children. I won't be letting the kids have a TV in their rooms until they are well into their teens, if at all. I believe in it being a social family time rather than the children going off to their room - that way I know what they are watching, how much and can talk about it with them.

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I had friends who completely banned television. However, they found that, once the kids were at school, they were being socially excluded because they could not join in the chat and games about all the various characters and stories on TV. The oldest boy was quite badly teased and in the end they relented and got a TV. TV is so central now to our lives that it deprives children of a shared topic for games and playing in the playground at school. School is a tough old place and we need to help our kids have the things at their disposal that oil the social wheels.

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I have a very strict rule about only one hour a day. Now my eldest is at school that hour is taken when she gets home - she's usually rather tired and grumpy, so it's a good chill-out time for her. Since I introduced this rule (when my eldest was nearly 3) I've had no nagging for telly. Before, my eldest used to nag all the time. I think it helps them to know they will have a chance to watch telly, and know when it is.

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Neither of our boys really got into Teletubbies and the other 'baby' TV programmes, so they tended to watch videos of our choosing and duration. Our elder one was given a couple of Sesame Street videos quite young and loved them. It gave him a good grasp of numbers and letters well before he started school. However, as our younger one is due to start school after Christmas, I was aware that he didn't have that same understanding and realised that he had been exposed to a far greater range of videos, many of them being stories rather than educational in the same way. This last week we have made a point of selecting Spot's ABC, Sesame Street and Mr Men Alphabet Hunt and even in that short time, we have really seen a big difference in his understanding. We also have an Usborne Beginners French and Baby Mozart DVD which they have both really enjoyed.

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My husband and I barely watch any telly, in fact, our cable box was broken for a week and it made no difference to our lives. (We're PC gamers rather than soap addicts.) I was brought up to understand that it was rude to have the television on when people came round, and the TV was not left on if no-one actively wanted to watch a programme.

These days, with two toddlers, I try to stick to the same rules. I don't like to have Cbeebies on all day. This is because I like to watch stuff with my children so I know what they're talking about, and to avert any distressing bits. My son is notoriously sensitive to things on TV, and something like Thomas the Tank Engine crashing or NooNoo eating the Tellytubbies' toast would have him in floods. He must be the only three year old who is scared of the Tellytubbies.

We do have a vast store of Bob the Builder DVDs, which the whole family secretly really enjoys. I often get drawn in to the stories when they're on, but once they had begun to get annoying, I got hold of a few DVDs of old favourites from my childhood. Bod and Dangermouse are our current top choices. These go on for up to twenty minutes at a time, once or twice a day when I'm cooking or clearing up from a meal (or writing articles for CoNCepT in a panic). I'm always really proud of a day we get through without TV, because it means I was an energetic, inventive and involved mummy, and not a harassed wraith desperate for a moment's peace in a long and tiring day. Honestly though, the TV is on most days!

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My boys (5&8) can watch TV (Milkshake or CBeebies) from when they are ready for school until we leave at 8.30am. Most mornings they have about 20 mins, mainly because they often carry on with their games and forget about TV. We don't have the TV on after school, again because they are interested in other things, but historically we just haven't ever offered it at that time of day. At weekends they come into our bedroom at 7am and watch Milkshake until they are hungry for breakfast. This is their 'main' TV time.

Both boys have brilliant imaginations, and never say they are bored. I really do think that not having TV on much has helped them to be interested in doing other things - it doesn't feel like a deprivation to them. They don't seem to have any problem with friends who watch more than they do, they have worked out for themselves that if they spent all their free time watching TV they wouldn't have time for games and books etc.

Everyone has their own reasons for their TV habits and in this day and age a complete ban on TV is likely to turn it into the 'Forbidden Fruit'.

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Ah the television...good topic. I'm afraid I'm guilty of planting my child in front of the "tube" and I'm not sure why I feel the need to say it that way. There are times, especially as a new mum trying to cope, when a reprieve from being constantly "on" is necessary. And let's face it - when they are sitting in front of the box they are mesmerized and quiet.

The word television has become one of the "dirty" words people frown upon. Yet for two years my son never saw an advert and, in fact, has become rather fond of classical music as a result of Baby Einstein (or maybe DVDs is a different topic). He has learned colours, numbers, letters, how to tidy, sharing, etc. from the likes of CBeebies and baby DVDs.

I can't tell you whether the TV has affected my son's attention because I struggle to get his DAD'S attention when the telly is on! But it's not his only activity and television by no means replaces playtime with mummy or exploration time, but it's a nice calm alternative, in my humble opinion, in times of need.

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My 5 year old son was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder this year. The easiest way to describe him is very high functioning autistic. He has had some problems with imaginative play and social interaction, but is very attracted by visual media ....and he adores TV. Things are easier now, but when he was aged about 2-4 he wasn't able to play well on his own at all, would throw things around and didn't occupy himself well. Allowing him to watch limited amounts of TV (CBeebies or videos) meant that I could actually get something done, because I was on my own with him (and later a baby sister) all day. It certainly made my life much easier, and I don't think it did him any harm. I now generally let him watch an hour or so after he has come in from school as it helps him to relax.

On another note, I have a friend who grew up with no TV in the house as her parents disagreed with it; she says she felt really left out at school when people talked about TV programmes, and now she watches more TV than I do!

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