 VIEWTRITION
- children and television
GIVE YOUR KIDS A BALANCED TV DIET SAYS INDEPENDENT REPORT & NEW FREEVIEW
PARENTS' GUIDE
Despite some negativity often associated with children's TV today, new
research released by Freeview suggests that 8 out of 10 parents believe
television has a positive effect on their child's development, including
helping them to expand their imagination (63%) and broaden vocabulary
(60%). These findings form part of an independent report by Dr Tanya Byron
which looks at the effects of TV viewing on young children, as well as
new research commissioned by Freeview on how parents manage children's
television viewing.
The research also reveals that some parents are confused about differing
messages around the potential impact of TV viewing on their children.
In response, Freeview has created Viewtrition : A Parent's Guide to Quality
TV for Kids that shows how to provide a diet of responsible viewing.
Key findings from the Freeview research show that:
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66% of parents indicated the positive effect of TV on their child's
numeracy and musical skills, while just over a quarter (28%) said
that some TV programmes encouraged their child to exercise whilst
watching.
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Two-thirds (67%) of parents surveyed recognised that television
viewing could also have a negative effect on their child, though they
remain confused as to how and what these effects might be.
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Parents also acknowledged that an attitude of 'responsible viewing'
needed to be adopted to provide their children with a balanced TV
diet, with over half of parents saying they control what their children
watch by scheduling viewing times (53%), watching it with them (57%),
and setting time limits (44%) and using digital TV recorders such
as Freeview+ (25%) to record appropriate programmes.
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It is clear that using the digital TV recorder (such as Freeview+)
is essential to the way parents manage their children's TV experience
with 50% saying it has revolutionised their child's viewing in a positive
way, and 68% state it has made it easier to control and plan what
their child watches around their routine.
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85% of parents don't feel guilty about letting their children watch
TV, provided their child's TV consumption is monitored, balanced and
controlled.
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Online focus groups also revealed that despite their positive attitude
towards TV and their children, there was still confusion amongst parents
with regards to existing research around behavioral, developmental
and emotional problems.
Viewtrition: A Parent's Guide to Quality TV for Kids has been created
to empower parents to make the best choices around their children's TV
consumption. The guide offers a common sense approach to providing a healthy,
balanced TV diet for children, dispelling some of the myths associated
with children's TV viewing and sharing advice from Dr Tanya Byron (herself
a mother of two). TV star Meera Syal MBE also contributes to the guide
outlining how TV plays an important role in her family life and how she
ensures her children enjoy TV responsibly.
Dr Tanya Byron observed: "Whilst parents who participated in the Freeview
focus groups said they were happy to trust their own instincts and to
judge what is right for their child, they admitted some advice and guidance
would give them additional confidence to ensure they were maximising the
quality TV for children available."
Byron continues: "The Freeview report aims to present the facts so parents
can make their own decisions about what's right for their family. I, too,
believe that television has a positive role to play in a child's development
but it does need to be monitored and managed responsibly. Each parent
knows their child best and the Freeview Viewtrition Guide is about giving
parents information and advice that they can then adapt and use to help
provide their children a balanced TV diet."
Meera Syal, mother and actress adds: "I am really keen to promote the
benefits of responsible TV viewing for children as TV has so much entertainment
and education to offer a child when watched selectively. TV played an
important part in my upbringing and plays a really positive role in our
family life today."
Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview comments: "As a mother of
two, I can appreciate why Freeview+ is a 'must-have' for any parent planning
their child's TV viewing around a busy family routine. Not only does Freeview+
give parents access to the best quality children's channels, but also
the ability to pause a programme to talk about what they are viewing and
record an entire series and all that with no subscription which is great
value for families looking to cut back on monthly bills."
Some of the most interesting statistics that came out of the research
were parents’ Top Ten most educational programmes:
1. Numberjacks
2. Something Special
3. Nina and the Neurons
4. Dora the Explorer
5. Newsround
6. LazyTown
7. In the Night Garden
8. Tikkabilla
9. Come Outside
10. Blue Peter
Dr Tanya Byron also produced a number of suggestions on how to provide
a Viewtritional TV diet for children
- Healthy Balanced Viewing – Balance time spent watching TV against
time spent in other healthy and enriching activities ·
- Viewtritional Content – Choose programmes that complement your child’s
interests and also challenge their learning ·
- Don’t Snack – As you don’t want your child to graze on junk food all
day – don’t let them graze on junk TV all day ·
- Don’t Gorge – Monitor time spent watching TV ·
- Don’t Consumer Alone – TV is best enjoyed and has greatest impact
for children when shared and discussed – this is called ‘co-viewing’
·
- Be Active When Watching TV – Ask your child questions as you watch
– you can pause digital TV to help with this ·
- Keep TV as a Delicious Treat – Pre-record family programmes on a digital
television recorder, such as Freeview+, that can be enjoyed all together
·
- Help your Children Learn About Viewtrition – Recognise that a little
bit of junk here and there is not going to cause long term damage in
most children – so be calm!
The Freeview Viewtrition Report and Guide can be downloaded from www.viewtrition.co.uk
or freeview.co.uk
from Tuesday 18th November 2008.
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