Momversation: Is TV really so bad for kids?

Today on Momversation, Mindy Roberts of The Mommy Blog brings up the question of kids and TV. Is television really the "devil box" pediatricians call it? How much is too much? Or is any TV too much?

Weighing in along with Mindy and me:

• Nataly Kogan of Work It, Mom!
• Maggie Mason of Mighty Girl

Bonus: get a sneak peek at my too-beige bedroom!

Previous episodes, including one in which Heather of Dooce explains the arrival of babies as involving "magical elves":

I love you, but I hate your politics!
Are online friends as important as your real-life friends?
Disagreeing with your partner's parenting decisions
Sex after baby
Childbirth Choices
Balancing work and motherhood
How do you talk to your kids about the economy?
Why do we care about Suri Cruise?
Losing the baby weight
Where do babies come from?

Keep talking in the comments of the episode post or on the Momversation forums. (Good threads to join: Kids' shows parents can watch too, and What does "too much TV" mean to you?)

Keep up! Subscribe to the Momversation episode feed or comment feed, or via iTunes. Sign up for the weekly newsletter, follow Momversation on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook.

Comments

[Danny K]

My 2 year old learned all of his letters and the sounds that they make by watching LeapFrog's Letter Factory DVD and SuperWhy. TV is a great learning opportunity.

[Jennifer]

Seriously, I think the television debate is so dead. Haven't we moved on to how the internet is ruining our children's brains? Radio used to be the demon. Before that it was fictional novels: "Oh no! My daughter won't stop reading that wretched Jane Austen drivel!" I watched a TON of television when I was a kid, and still managed to be a valedictorian, MA degree-holder, and a literate adult who reads more than just about anyone else she knows. I just happen to know a lot of advertising jingles from the 70's and 80's by heart. Makes me well rounded.

[Parent Hacks Editor]

Jennifer: I hear your point, but I think the conversation is still relevant, especially given how many more forms of media entertainment kids have to choose from. Did you watch the episode? I talked about how I watched unlimited TV as a kid, but that it wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention for long. TV/Internet/Game programming is so much more intense and engaging now. That combined with the reduction in most kids' free time, and you have a recipe for something a lot different than we grew up with.

It's not about TV/media turning kids "dumb" at school. It's about removing their motivation to use their imaginations.

[Amy]

I think it's all about moderation. We let our son watch some TV nearly every day, and we almost always are watching with him and talking about what's going on and asking him questions about the characters, etc.

My husband is also a big gamer (he does reviews and edits a game site), and he has given our son, who is not quite 2, his old Nintendo DS. The kid has really learned some fine motor skills with that thing! He plays Nintendogs and enjoys feeding and playing with his dogs on there (AND our dog in real life). He also has learned how to unlock my husband's iPod touch and get the YouTube videos of his favorite TV shows that are bookmarked on there.

He also loves to read and play outside. As long as he's well rounded, I don't mind the electronics.

Also, my husband was reading a book recently that pointed out that if video games had come first and books later, you could argue that books were damaging. They don't require hand-eye coordination or allow for much movement while reading. They're also a very solitary activity. I thought it was an interesting point.

[Ron Tumbokon]

The bottom line is, TV or any kind of audio is bad for 2 year olds or younger if it gets in the way of developing their interaction with parents, and playing. It has some harmful physiological and psychological effects for older kids BUT in moderation and being selective with what the kids view, it can have a positive impact. You can see details here: http://www.raisesmartkid.com/articles/the-good-and-bad-effects-of-tv-on-your-kid.html

[Derek]

We were having a hard time getting TV time to end. One more, ok? Ok. turned into ONE MORE! ONE MORE! MOOORRRRE!!! So the day before thanksgiving, fed up, I removed the television. She had a hard time for a few hours. The next day, she told me the TV was broken and I needed to fix it. Apparently, a couple of weeks later, she told my wife that I had put it out in the snow. The truth was - it was in our room under a towel. Right before Xmas, she came to me and told me that she had found a present. It was the TV. Since she hadn't been watching, she had spent much more time painting, drawing, doing imaginary play, etc. but she HAD digressed in her vocabulary skills.
New years day, we re-introduced the tube, and it's been fine. She's watching her PBSkids, we're able to make dinner, but she's also responding well to TV time's over. Win-win.

[Shannon]

TV is a great learning tool, as long as the parent will be there to supervise what her kid is watching. Discovery Kids is really great! Practically the same with the computer and the Internet, it'll be safe as long as the parent is there to guide the child.

http://instantamber.com/news