Talking teenage, http://www.talkingteenage.com/discussion-board/post/1412114, asked if parents allowed computers in their kids bedrooms. Here are my thoughts:
Call me an old goat, But I would not ever allow computers, or TVs in my kids’ bedrooms. And even worse, after 9:45 no phones in bedrooms either! Home-work should be done in a common area with the TV off.
I think it is disrespectful for Mom, Dad, and others to watch TV while their student/child has to do home-work. It’s like you working all day and your co-worker sitting behind you watching TV all day. It doesn’t seem fair, because it isn’t. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate if the other family members were reading a book? or doing some work they brought home? or maybe even working on a hobby? but, please, no TV.
Interestingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics agrees with me! We don’t always agree on things, but we both feel strongly on this point! I made a recent review of the medical literature and compiled a list of some of the possible harmful effects associated with watching too much television:
• Delayed vocabulary acquisition in children ages 8 through 16 months;
• Shortened attention span;
• Increased risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder;
• Sleep problems- trouble going to sleep, increased waking during the night, and increased tiredness during the day, difficulty waking in the morning;
• Increased consumption of caffeine;
• Increased consumption of snack foods;
• Increased fat in diet;
• Decreased physical activity;
• Obesity;
• Increased risk of smoking;
• Increased risk of using pot or other drugs;
• Increased use of alcohol;
• Younger age of initiating sexual activity;
• Increased aggressive behavior;
• Increased delinquency.
Study this list and I think you will agree that watching TV is unfair treatment of your kids. What’s more, as we said above, your watching TV while you child tries to do home-work is definitely unfair!
For more info on TVs harmful effects check Chapter 14, in “Messengers in Denim” where the above facts were recorded.