I’ve come to embrace the idea that watching television can be a positive experience for my kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics often paints TV as a villain, especially for children under two, but I can’t help but think that those crafting these guidelines might not have spent an entire day with a rambunctious toddler.
I’m referring to older kids who have mastered the art of navigating our 80 remotes and can choose their shows with confidence. I’ve heard the grumbling about how society is glued to the screen, but I wholeheartedly disagree. TV is a treasure, and I’d champion it any day. Sure, there’s a lot of junk out there, and not everything is suitable for kids, but the magic of television is undeniable.
I’ve joked that TV played a significant role in my upbringing—no offense to my parents, of course! Shows like Star Trek and M*A*S*H shaped my views and sparked my imagination. I cherished episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hill Street Blues, and even Bugs Bunny as I navigated childhood and adolescence.
I also indulged in some guilty pleasures—think The Facts of Life and The Love Boat. I knew many of these shows were silly, but they were still part of my journey, offering stories and laughter, and never making me feel less intelligent.
Today, we are experiencing a golden era of television. Talented filmmakers are now creating for the small screen, offering an incredible variety of shows. Thanks to streaming services like TiVo, Netflix, and Hulu, my kids aren’t chained to a rigid programming schedule or bombarded with commercials like I was.
My children don’t assume that what they see on TV is reality any more than they believe that the world is full of superheroes after reading their favorite comic books. They can discern fiction from reality—just like I could.
My daughter, now 7, is currently in love with The Brady Bunch, while my 11-year-old son has unearthed The X-Files. They both enjoy Phineas and Ferb and The Simpsons, and we often gather in front of the Food Network to watch shows like Worst Cooks in America and Chopped. The moment my son expressed a desire to live in the charming town featured in Gilmore Girls, I felt a swell of pride. They’re exploring a vast array of shows, spanning generations, and as long as their choices are acceptable—goodbye to the likes of Dora and Adam Sandler—I happily join in.
Television broadens their horizons, presenting a world beyond our small town and daily encounters. I appreciate their autonomy in selecting what to watch, and while I occasionally remind them to take a break and move around, I won’t ever label TV as the enemy, because it’s not. Watching TV is fantastic, and I’ll stick to that belief.
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In summary, I believe that TV can be a valuable tool for children, enriching their lives with stories and perspectives far beyond their immediate surroundings. While balance is important, I won’t restrict my kids’ TV time because there’s so much to learn and enjoy.