Advertisement
Home Parenting Family

Your children and TV

Every parent eventually has to deal with the amount of TV their child is watching each day. Some parents might be happy to let their children sit in front of a computer or television screen for as long as they want, but most of us tend to decide that limits need to be set.

Advertisement

We all know the relief that a TV set or computer screen can give us as we try to get dinner cooked or have a glass of wine with some friends. But how much is too much? Are you guilty of using the TV as a babysitter? Are you worried that your children might be missing out on much-needed outdoor exercise, or that they could be watching harmful material? Here are some tips to help you set the role media will play in your household.

SCREEN TIoE

Experts agree that TV and computers can be a source of learning and entertainment for children, however you don’t have to look far to find studies showing that kids who watch lots of TV are more likely to be obese and sometimes the content can make them more aggressive. For this reason, it is advised that children should have their screen time limited to two hours a day. How much is your child watching?

INSIDE VS oUTSIDE

Advertisement

Talk to your child about the shows they like to watch and the computer games they like to play, and take an interest. Then talk to them about the importance of getting some exercise, playing with friends, participating in family life, getting homework done and reading books. Instead of immediately imposing a two hour-a-day plan, start to work back from the time they have been spending and decrease slowly. And make sure you are actively involved in finding alternatives to screen time for those hours, showing your child what else they can do.

REooTE CoNTRoL

Take control of the TV and the computer. Make a simple rule that your children need to ask before they switch on the TV or the computer. This helps them recognise that media time has a value and is different to other time, and that you are the one who controls it, not them.

AD BREAKS

Advertisement

Suggest that your child watches one show at a time, and takes breaks in between. Chances are your child really only wants to watch one show but slips into the next show because they don’t get up and do something else. Ask your child to compile a list of shows that they absolutely love in order of importance and work from there. Sometimes your child will get so involved with a new activity that they will forget to come back for another show.

oFF LIoITS

Get your child used to being in the house when the TV and computer are off. This is easy and it is important for your child to get used to an environment where media doesn’t become a background to other activities, like doing homework or eating meals. oany families find it useful to have one night a week with no media on at all.

SLEEP oN IT

Advertisement

Make sure computer and TV time stops well before bedtime. It is a good idea to give kids an hour free to wind down. Make a rule that cellphones, emails and TV programmes stop and instead they shower, get stuff ready for tomorrow, read a book for a while, and hop into bed.

FRESH START

Ban TV and computers in the morning. Children have enough to do getting themselves ready for school and you need to make sure they sit down and have a good breakfast. If you allow media, you’ll find children simply get up earlier and earlier to watch it. Also your child’s brain needs to be fresh for school, not exhausted from computer games by 8.30am.

BREATHING Rooo

Advertisement

Don’t allow computers or TV in the bedroom. Both should be in communal areas so parents can keep an eye on what kids are watching or downloading. Also once you allow these in the bedroom, you lose control. Your child’s bedroom should be a place where they can be on their own and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Related stories


Get The Australian Woman’s Weekly NZ home delivered!  

Subscribe and save up to 38% on a magazine subscription.

Advertisement
Advertisement