"If you think television may not harm you when you use it inside your room, think again, there's a lot more damage that this can cause you more than you know".
Raise your hand if you have a television in the bedroom? How about the kids' bedroom? It's not hard to put a television in every room, especially if you keep upgrading to sleeker, flatter, sharper television sets. I don't have kids, yet I have three televisions in the house, and yes, I have the obligatory flat-panel display in the bedroom because I'm a news junkie who likes to watch CNN in the morning.
It seems to me that lately, researchers are focusing on the effects of having a television set in the bedroom. In a nutshell, having a TV in your sleep sanctuary is bad, very bad, but we already knew that. I guess what we may not have known is how bad it really is, especially when it's in the kid's room. So to bring you up to speed, I've gathered the latest findings hoping to shed some light on this bad habit.
New York Times and IO9 have good articles on the subject so I'll start there. Here's what they say in a nutshell:
TV makes you dumb: In a 2005 study of six Northern California schools, 70 percent of students who had their own TV scored "significantly and consistently" lower on math, reading, and language-arts tests. Those who had computers scored higher. It's believed the TV is a distraction during homework and may interfere with sleep. Seventh graders in Montreal also had the same problem. Those who spent more time in front of the TV, had lower grades. No surprise there.
TV makes you overweight: Several studies have suggested that kids with TVs in their bedroom are likely to be overweight. In a two-year study by the The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, researchers found that kids snacked less when a device (I'm assuming BOB) was programmed to cut into the child's TV viewing time. Kids weren't inspired to exercise more, they just ate less calories a day. A French study found that boys with TVs in their bedroom were more likely to gain weight.
TV makes you a smoker: Yet, another study of 700 middle-school students between 12 and 14 years old, found that kids with TVs were twice as likely to start smoking. Of those surveyed, 42 percent who smoked had a TV in their bedroom.
TV messes up your sleeping patterns: Ok, so all the above figures have been for kids, but adults are also affected by bedroom TVs. Blog IO9, found a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey (ATUS) shows that late night TV watching can control a person's sleeping patterns. Once upon a time, the day and night cycle determined our sleeping patterns, but with modern technology, mainly that television in the room, people's sleeping patterns are getting worse. Those most vulnerable to TV-timed sleep changes are people who work in services sectors like education, health, leisure, and hospitality, and people who live in the Eastern time zone.
There you have it. A few more reasons to kick that bedroom TV out.
[question posted by djmarion]
responses and comments:
I have not watch any TV shows for quite while. I have a TV in my bedroom beside my computer. I rarely open my TV since I'm always in front of my computer. Most of the bad effects of TV are on kids. They do not choose well what they watch. I agree with TV affecting your sleeping pattern most especially when you get bored or the internet is down. [argie713]
before when i have no internet at home yet i tend to watch movies during weekend, the problem is that i tend to watch until 3 am which make my sleeping pattern unstable. [djmarion]
My 6 year old wants to have a TV in our room, but I don't approve. I'm aware of the its harmful effects, not to mention the 'yin-yang' imbalance it creates in the room. I think you get too much yang when you have TV or a component inside a room, which makes you active in a place where you should be resting/sleeping. It causes disharmony, thus the negative effect. These must be placed in the living room instead. [steney]
i don't know much about the yin-yang balance but i am certain that what you stated is infact the reality. television should be place in the entertainment room or in the living room as it destroys sleeping pattern. [djmarion]
I think its all a matter of self-control and parental guidance to the kids. We have tvs in each room and even have a tv tuner installed in our computer. My child is a TV addict but she knows how to obey us when we say her TV time is over and she must do her homework, etc. The smoker issue could be traced to media influence - its in the ads, actors, actress smoke, etc so teens think that its just ok or its a fad. The parent's or the guardian's intervention is really important. They must teach at an early age that everything should be done or taken in moderation as much as possible. TV chould be used as baby sitter either. Kids must also know that not everything they see in TV, not even those they read in books are true. We must teach them how to be analytical and realistic at the earlist possible age. [chrysz]
Sounds like those adults that are messing up their sleeping patterns need to get Tivo! =p I'm not sure how watching tv increases the chances of smoking. However, if this was in old times where in all the old shows the cool thing to do was smoke, I would definitely see how it would increase the chances of smoking. I mean, I see virtually no ad's promoting ciggarettes of any kind at least in the state I live in. I also dont really see very many new shows promoting the use of ciggarettes so on my opinion this study is bogus unless all these kids are watching oldies channels which I find hard to believe. I can see TV making you overweight but only because you become a couch potato if you're a real tv addict. As for TV making you dumber? Nah, it's not tv. It's you as a person & your personal decisions. If you choose to watch tv instead of studying for a test, yeah of course you aren't going to be as bright. I do agree to some degree though. There are some shows on tv that if you watch them in particular can probably result in you being a little less bright. Not to mention that a lot of commercials are trying to dumb you down so you buy their product more easily. Hope this is a good enough response for ya, ;P [LouieWpHs04]
I used to want a TV in my room but over the last year my TV watching hours have decreased dramtically...I think I'm down to about 7 or 8 hours a week. Hours at my computer though ... well, that's on average about 3 hours a day..slightly more on weekends. [amymelissa]
I really hate television. I used to have one in my bedroom, but now its broken, and it was a great thing. I love movies so if i want to watch someting i just download or buy what i want to watch and do so on my pc. I think its very obvious that a PC can enhance your brain while the tv can only make you dumber (lol)..but i have some problems with my pc, because i really use it to much. I never had this problem with TV fortunately as i cant find programs of my interest. I watch the news sometimes but its not a habit, i used to watch the Simpsons because its he only show i really love here in Italy but now it was rescheduled. I watched it while eating lunch, now its not there any longer..i have seen all episodes anyway. Kill your TV!! [Postrock]
i have to agree with you and while we have a tv in our bedroom, its hardly on (i do watch it to watch the local news and weather in the morning while i am getting ready for work.) as for our kids rooms, no way would i have one in either one of our daughter's rooms because we would never see them again!! [cher913]
I had a TV for 15years ago. Only time I looked on it,was when I was unemployed. Now adays,Iīm also unemployed,and have no TV,and I donīt miss it. Some people use it,when they will look at the news,the news you can read on the net or listen to from the radio. [Lavazza]
Thanks for response [Lavazza]
Thanks for giving us enough good reasons not to have TV in our room. I am not so interested in TV today, I am more addicted to computer. So it's not so necessary for me to have a TV at my bedroom. I already have one desktop and two laptops at my bedroom. So I have no room for TV. [youless]
it's about self-control. i have a tv in my room but i really only watch it for maybe 2 hours a day? at night before and while i'm going to sleep. i set my sleep timer. [sameroad]
My kids don't have tvs in their rooms nuh uh no way will I do that one, there is one in our bedroom, and one in the living room, the one in the living room has quirks but its a decent tv, it powers itself off at its own will or if someone is jumping up and down it will power off. my husband tends to not sleep well if the tv is on, I tend to go to sleep if the tv is on, specifically a movie is in the DVD player. my kids are currently on tv restriction so they aren't supposed to be watching tv for a week as it is. I battle with one child every day trying to watch tv, and waking me up watching tv.... But right now I live for my cooking shows.....Ace of Cakes, Iron Chef, Dinner Impossible, Food challenges, good eats, that alone will make anyone hungry. Mooch Mooch [oneandonemakesix]
I've got a tv in my room, but I just watch 1 or 2 shows and an ocassional soccer game, I also have my computer in the room, and that's where I spend most of my free time. My kids both have a tv in their rooms, my daughter is the one who watches the most, mostly disney channel, the boy just watches soccer and a couple of sitcoms.Of course I don't know if they watch something while I'm asleep, but I tend to think they would rather sleep. As for smoking I don't think there's much relation between watching tv and smoking. [duranv]
I couldn't agree with you more. The only time I watch television is when I'm jumping rope for exercise in the morning. Even then, it doesn't hold my attention. Not only is television harmful to your health, but it's a great productivity zapper. Think how much more most people would accomplish if they donated their television sets. Great topic! [eyeopening]
That is such a wonderful article! There is a tv in my mom's room, and you're right, it does mess up the sleep patterns - sometimes she's still watching tv until 11pm, and she would wake up a little cranky in the morning, but we can't kick out the tv out of her room because she prefers watching while lying in the bed - its her way of relaxation from a long day in the office. After dinner is her only time to watch tv, so we let her have it. [janujennifer]
I agree...I never would allow any tv in any bedroom. We get too much of it as it is and I didn't think that my kids needed any more excuses not to sleep or do their homework as it was. I also liked to promote other activities like, thought of thoughts, Reading! [hornswaggled]
I have a tv in our bedroom but don't often watch it in there but in our main lounge area. We move it in between our room and our sons room as he uses it for his play station games and or to watch his cartoon dvds. That is turned on when we have play dates at our home or guests in the weekends or if him and his dad play games in the weekends. I can understand some of the reasons you mentioned above but not all of them. Not sure how it contributes to smoking though. It all comes down to making sure that we are monitoring tv usage and that it's not the end all of entertainment. There are other things to do than just watch tv. [maddysmommy]
TV's are not for bedrooms..despite my having been in a furniture place recently and saw a flatscreen TV built into the foot of a Bed! I've never had a set in the bedroom of a place I rented,or here in my own place..but can relate to them being a bad influence in a Kid's room,with disruption of sleep and such.I have no kids as yet,but my Sister's family all have TV's and VCR or DVD in their rooms..but they're no couch potatoes..they play sports,go out with friends,etc..My Brother in law is the only Smoker in the house, and he seems to spend the least time in front of their Living room TV! [ShepherdSpy]
For me, Its good to kick to TV out of your room because having a TV in the room tempt you to watch anytime you want which is not so good. Aside from the radiation you can get from the TV, you also have less time to sleep as the room is provided as sleeping area and private place to do your personal things. Living room is where the TV should be placed. [mickeydavis]
The problem is you are watching the wrong things on your bedroom TV ... quit watching the news and soaps! The bedroom TV is for watching ... adult content!!! [ltmoon]
I do have TV in my bedroom. But rarely use it. Although i only use it for my Playstation. All the news, new info i get it from the internet. I agree my sleeping patterns has mess up big time but its not from the TV, its from the internet! hehehe. I guess everything has to do it by its limit. [joxjob]
i think that TV has its advantages also have drawbacks. the pros and cons of both! it is the product of social development and it is a sign of human civilization. if you reasonable use and play its director,or will reflect its proper value. [lizzy630]
I totally agree with you.The people are so addicted to these idiotic boxes especially in INDIA.In the recent past a tremendous change occured in indian television industry.With several private channels launching every now and then,flooding the audience with so many soaps (serials) which are so ridiculous to watch.They neither give you any knowledge nor teach you anything worthful.But the people are glued to these sets, as its the cheapest entertainment source. And I find them more dangerous right now than anything else.These serials telecast, have no maral reposibility towards the society, they are injecting immoral values like tricckery, cheating others, betraying your own people,egoism,disrespecting the elders etc. [mariah_5]
If that's all true..I'm thankful i don't have TV on my bedroom and that I don't watch so many shows either. But there is one phase inmy life that I've been addicted to TV, that was when I was jobless and I stay all day at hoe :) I think it's all in being disciplined. TV itself is not bad but our watching habits can turn them so bad. [cefaz_21]
I know how to use my TV wisely.I watch only the selected programs in History,National geographic society,Discovery,Animal planet and Hollywood movie channels.If I have one reason for kicking the TV out of the room is the stupid,tasteless commercials with the ugliest models.They are the pain in my ar--. [balasri]
Do you know how much I hate the television? Oh I can't even tell you.. It is bad bad bad bad.. xoxoxolol [TheHairDresser]
we just have the tv in the living room, never had one in the bedrooms, never saw a need for it. [winterose]
TV has come to stay and nothing anybody can do about it. If they found any problem with TV and its watching let them find solution to it. [emmyemoney]
I don't have a television in my bedroom and probably never will. My husband would like one in there but I don't believe in it. The bedroom is for sleeping and, well, other things. wink My children don't have televisions in their bedrooms either. If they did, what good would sending them to their room do for punishment? Besides, we would probably never see them if they had a television in their rooms and when it is time to go to bed they would probably put the tv on. I would rather them read if they are not ready to go to sleep. I just don't believe it is right to have a television in the bedroom. [patgalca]
A Young Kid around a Smoking Parent or a Drinking Parent or around Friends that do these habbits will have the Influence for a Child to try these Habbits. Some Parent just don't know not to do these Things around a Child or try to Talk to a Child about not doing this or trying this. A Parent should get help if He or She sits in front of the Tv all Day. Yes a Tv may have some Violent Program or have a Drug or Alcohol Theme in it but a Parent should Talk & Discuss these & any Adult type Theme on Tv or any Issue that may effect a Childs Thinking. A Person will have odd hours on the Job sometimes & eat at different times and be Stressed and or Depressed. This will effect Sleeping Habbits & some People will take their Job Home with them at Times. No Sorry to Me these Studies don't prove a Thing it is Persons everyday Life That He or She Lives at any Age. That will effect You more than anything else, not a few Studies when this Country of the U.S. has 300 Million People Living in it. [mrgpk66]
hi djmarion! happy i'm a tv addict. and yeah, i've read a lot of researches too about the harmful effects of watching too much tv. before i would have been scared because i really watch too much tv then. would have been scared but only a little, because it never got to the point where the tv became the center of my life. ^__^;; i had other interests too then. but i know watching too much tv is bad. aside from the reasons you mentioned, it doesn't just ruin the sleeping pattern, watching too much tv gives you less sleep. and then, sometimes, one might forget to eat because he can't get away in front of the tv. that's for people who don't like to eat while watching tv. and then, you might ditch your friends just because of a program you can't miss. i've always felt like ditching my friends for the sake of Charmed. lol but i didn't ditch them. however, when we went to a friend's house, that's where i watch charmed. ^__^;; so i guess it also ruins social relationship. but i don't need to kick out the tv from my room now. what i need to kick out is the computer. i've been watching less tv lately and just staying in front of the computer surfing the net. but then, if i kick our the computer, i would turn to the tv and i would become a tv addict again. i guess i have to kick them out both. that would be a very hard thing to accomplish. whistle [secretbear]
I guess I am the exception because I would study with the t.v. on and got good grades . so i guess I am not dumb.I have been what they call overweight since Before I watched t.v. or even knew what it was.In fact I have been watching more things on t.v. and I am Losing weight.I have Never had what they call a "normal sleep pattern". I am a night owl. I Never needed 8 hours of sleep.I have a t.v. in my room that Helps me sleep.I am going to keep my t.v. right where it is, in my bedroom.And thankfully, I won't have kids so I don't have to follow these rules. [sarahruthbeth22]
:) You are not the only exception, I am too :) I actually was able to focus on my homework MORE if I watched TV. Otherwise I got bored! I needed the distraction to keep my interested. I like to stay up late even if I'm not watching TV. I like to stay up and read, play games, etc. [vivasuzi]
I hate ads.......suddenly they appear with lot of noise..so i dont like tv in that case........ [naniglavs]
wow i was a tv addict when i was a young boy. wew talk about bad habbits. well i like to put tv on my own room as i like watching tv at night there are a lot of good shows at night like my favorite show "mens room" eheheh i kinda like that shows a lot. [carinio98]
Studies mean nothing to me :) I watched TV when doing homework during college and got great grades! My last semester when I probably watched the most TV, I got straight A's on some of the hardest classes!! I exercise while I watch TV, so gaining weight is not an issue :) I don't smoke and hate smoking, TV wouldn't make me smoke. I don't find TV messes with my sleeping. I go to bed almost hte same time every night b/c I'm tired! I just turn the TV off and pass out same time every night. Anyway, I still agree that kids shouldn't get a TV in there room until they are at least 16 AND have proven themselves to be good with their homework. I wouldn't let my kids have a computer in their room EVER. I believe all computers should be "family" computers and in the family room or a computer room. I just don't trust computers in a kids room b/c you can't easily see what they are doing. [vivasuzi]
I want to call bull so bad. but as I have no real facts to quote or studies to refer to I can't exactly make a pressing argument. Nut here I go anyway, it's got nothing to do at all with wether or not there's a t.v in your bedroom or not it's got to do with things like self control on both fronts, and in the case of a child it's called parents. If you're kids not sleeping enough because he's watching t.v all night it's his fault and yours, for letting him watch that much, for letting him have the t.v in there int he first place. It's both your faults, not the t.v's fault, and certainly not it's location. Sure in the living room it would be harder to do it. But that has nothing to do with anything. I started smoking, got a tv in my room, quit smoking, in that order. (the exception proves the rule, or so they say) And seriously if there's something on at 3am that you want to watch use a VCR, or a dvd ecorder, or tivo (no idea on the correct spelling) or whatever happens to float your figurative boat. Day and night has not 'always' dictated sleep patterns. There's been night shifts for a long long time and I'm fairly sure there's also been nightowls for a long long time as well. I know I've always been one, even back when all I had to for entertainment was reading. [Arkadus]