Reality TV Junkies

In light of all the talk about Baby Einstein and refunds, the kids and TV debate has been resurrected. 

Here's a link to an interesting article from this week's Los Angeles Times on the topic:  http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-kids-tv27-2009oct27,0,2531927.story

From the article:

More than an entire day -- that's how long children sit in front of the television in an average week, according to new findings released Monday by Nielsen.

The amount of television usage by children reached an eight-year high, with kids ages 2 to 5 watching the screen for more than 32 hours a week on average and those ages 6 to 11 watching more than 28 hours. The analysis, based on the fourth quarter of 2008, measured children's consumption of live and recorded TV, as well as VCR and game console usage.

"They're using all the technology available in their households," said Patricia McDonough, Nielsen's senior vice president of insights, analysis and policy.

"They're using the DVD, they're on the Internet. They're not giving up any media -- they're just picking up more."

How much TV time, if any, do you allow for your children?  When did they start watching TV?  Do you place any restrictions on television?

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When it comes to my 10 yo DD, I really don't count the TV time. It's sporadic as she doesn't really sit down and zone out in front of it. She'll watch a show straight through though and all her favorite shows are 30 minutes long.

During the school week, she has after school activities and homework so there's not a lot of time to be had for the TV and the rule is that she has to read for the last half hour before bedtime. Every Friday night, we have family movie night. However, on the weekend mornings, it's how she "wakes up" so she will watch an hour and a half all glassy-eyed!

She started early on TV - Elmo, Barney, etc. PBS was my savior sometimes lol!!

                 

             

     

        

Taylor learned so much from her Sesame Street videos... I recently gave some of them to my brother's one year old son on VHS!!! :)

And I watch a day of tv a week probably... maybe not totally paying attention, but it's on that much. {{{sigh}}} Maybe I need a new hobby other than reality tv, iVill and facebook.