I do not participate in TV turnoff week. I think its great if that what you want to do, but I try to teach my kids moderation at all times. They are 3 and 5. They dont use a computer except at school; no blackberrys or phones for them (we don't use ours during "kid" time); no video games; and no ipods. BUT our kids love tv and love Disney movies. It gets out of control sometimes, and thats when we go back to stricter limits. On average, I would say the kids watch about 5 hours of TV a week, depending on the week. If its raining all weekend, there is more tv than if its sunny and beautiful outside.

Personally, I don't own a cell phone, MP3 player, Blackberry, and don't play any electronic games. In my free time (almost exclusively when I'm at work), I visit the Washington Post blogs.

Free time, on the family clock, I try to dedicate to the couch. With 4 kids, 4 to 15 years old, It is rare.

I plan on watching American Idol with my family tonight. It's the only TV program I watch and I think it's a great family show. Usually, my 10 year old will watch for a few minutes then go practice his cello.

We got rid of the TV before my 13-month old daughter was born and haven't really missed it. We still use the computers, but now that she is old enough to want to use it too, we try to limit it to after her bedtime. That's when we watch movies on the computer too. So far this is working well for us. Since we didn't have cable for the past 15 years, giving up what TV has become was not difficult at all. It also helps that favorite PBS shows like Frontline and Nova can be viewed on the PBS website and the NewsHour is on the radio.

We participate [and have the last several years]. Turning off the TVs is easy -- as a family we average less than 5 hours of total TV time per week as it is -- it's the computers that are the issue. Each of the kids has a computer [kids ages 11/9/6] -- we've indicated that they are allowed to use them for schoolwork [two oldest just completed science fair projects that needed Excel] and to check the scores on the family fantasy baseball league [9-year-old is killing me this week -- stupid Atlanta pitching staff].

Stat from yesterday's Washington Post:

The average U.S. family has a TV on in the home 7.5 hours / day.

On that list: We don't have a BlackBerry, don't plan on turning off the cell - kids don't have one, and we don't use text messaging; No one in the house IM's; computer is used only on weekends, for 2 timed play sessions each day (HW during the week is OK); DVR/Tivo - No way! Wouldn't want to miss anything! :)

I don't think music counts - unless the ear phones are in and there is no interaction. But, even then, I think listening to music is OK.

What do we do with the time? We are not 'observing' tv turn off week, because our viewing is already limited to just weekends already. During the week is homework, sports and school. On the weekends, if it's a beautiful day, tv goes off until after dinner and time is spent outside, whether it's with other friends, or playing at the house, or helping with the yard work, or going form one soccer game to the next...

I definately notice when my kids get too much - tv, computer or video games - they get moody when it's time to turn it off, they are immediately 'bored' and irritable.

Has anyone heard of Webkinz? My kids just learned about it, and it was on the news this morning. What do you think about it? And another website they've asked about is club penguin.

Prarie Dog -- I know what you mean. My kids get very moody when they have been watching too much tv and I tell them to turn it off. In fact my husband is traveling , and I was letting the kids watch tv in the am while I got ready. They started getting up at like 6am to watch a show. I turned the tv off and said go play in your rooms. I think its a constant monitoring process. If they are sick, they get more tv etc.

websites for kids: The Post's Ylan Mui wrote about Webkinz in February. Here's a link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/06/AR2007020601910.html

Mary B -
Glad to hear someone else is in the same boat. We got rid of our TV before our kids were born (they are 5 and 2 now). No big loss. My wife and I do use our laptops a great deal. Leaving those off is more of a challenge, but like you we are trying to put limits on the times and spaces - only after bedtime, or only in the office. TV Turn Off Week will give me a good chance to look at how and when I use my computer.

My family doesn't participate in TV Turnoff Week--we don't watch enough TV to justify it. I'm pretty certain we haven't even yet watched 44 hours of TV this year, let alone this week.

Generally, when the kids are awake, it's playtime, eating time, bathtime, etc. When they are asleep, it's "get stuff done" time. When do people watch all this TV, anyhow?

I've made it a point to read to my stepdaughter since she was a baby. Until about a year ago, she didn't even know our TV worked, because it was never on when she was in the house. She still is never allowed to watch TV here, but it doesn't matter because we have art projects, books, visits with friends, and when the weather is fair, walks in the park. I've told my students they should be reading online newspapers, not watching TV, when they must be in the house.

I think it's a good idea for people who turn to the TV because they are bored or lazy or don't try and do anything better.

I personally watch TONS of tv, spend TONS of time online- I'm a pop-culture junkie to the max. It's my mindless popcorn of fun and my way to stay in touch with what's going on in the greater world.

It's not the TV time/content that's the problem, it's not the computer time/content that's the problem- it's using it as an excuse and not making sure you use the time wisely.

I might be sitting on the couch for two hours a night, but I'm also having conversaions between commercials about the plot or other things, and *I* dictate what time I spend, not the TV. Frankly because I'm such a junkie, my TV time gets allotted very carefully.

RE: They are 3 and 5. They dont use a computer except at school; no blackberrys or phones for them (we don't use ours during "kid" time); no video games; and no ipods. BUT our kids love tv and love Disney movies.

Are there 3 and 5yos out there that HAVE ipods, cell phones, video games? Isn't that a bit young anyway? Wouldn't the issue for that age group BE TV and Disney movies? Seems you might be missing the point...

I have a computer. Scratch that, I have 3. My gaming computer is turned on when I get home. My file server has not been turned off since 2001. My laptop sits on my coffee table for when I watch some of the 7 programs I DVR each week. I have a subscription to Netflix. I play World of War craft. I visit MySpace and write emails. I also ride my bike. I rode 28 miles yesterday and 63 the day before. I usually put 150-200 miles a week on my bike. I also play with my dog and spend time with my fiance. Why am I saying this? Because we all need hobbies. We all need something that makes it easier to live in a society filled with other people. Introvert or extrovert, it makes no difference, sometimes the stupidity of the mob makes you crazy enough to seek out fake people so you don't have to deal with the real ones. Will I turn off my electronics? Never. It is what allows a person such as myself to tolerate a society that is so fundamentally hypocritical and angst-ridden.

My fiance's take on this: giving up tv is like going on a diet. Either put up or shut up. Get rid of it for good and make the life change, or don't. If giving it up is just a statement, then it becomes worthless and moot the second you plop on your couch and pick up the remote.

to 3:31:

I know my nephews has video and computer games as young as 4- I admit I was stunned at how well they could manipulate the mouse. Specially since the older is a lefty (so is his mother and myself, but we keep the mouse right handed).

I think, depending on the game, they can be great for interactive fun, and definitely useful as learning tools.

I remember playing my first computer game at age 7 on our schools AppleIIe's- that was pretty cool.

Again, the games are not allowed as a "default"- they are an after homework/raindy day/reward/chill time activity.

That was a joke that they did not have those things because I find it ridiculous that would have those things. But averaging less than 5 hours a week of TV/Movie time -- I am not worried :)

being an only child my son did not realize there were kids shows on tv. he thought the tv was only for watching the weather channel & a few other grown up channels. once a friend introduced him to cartoon network he's more interested in watching but since it's not really a habit he doesn't watch that much. however, even with the little bit that he does watch i've noticed that he wants to buy what he sees so we've had the conversation about marketing & the lies that commercials tell. if it gets too bad i'll turn it off. he does watch alot of dvds & tapes. you know he's only 6 1/2 & he loves the sound of music. of course, he doesn't understand the deeper implications behind the anschluss & nazis. i am surprised at how sophisticated his tastes are.

Oh, the irony of asking this question on a medium.

"Are there 3 and 5yos out there that HAVE ipods, cell phones, video games? Isn't that a bit young anyway? Wouldn't the issue for that age group BE TV and Disney movies? Seems you might be missing the point..."

At 18 months each of our kids had their own computer. I used track balls instead of mice and then turned the sensitivity way down -- it really didn't take them that long to learn.

Now, my 11 and 9 year-olds use Word, Excel and Powerpoint better than some of my co-workers -- and they extremely comfortable on the Net. I'm able to monitor and limit their accessibility pretty well -- though I'm sure it will be a fun battle during those teenage years.

I'm impressed by kids who have "useful" computer skills (Excel, Powerpoint)at young ages. But in my opinion it's not worth it - our kids will be spending much of their adult lives - like we do - in front of one screen or another. I'd rather enforce a relatively screen-free childhood, to free up time for other things. - Anyway, I figure that by the time they're ready for the work world, the technology will be very different, and they'll learn whatever program they need to within a couple of weeks. Nothing lost. (Did Bill Gates use a computer as a child? No, but he's doing fine in the adult working world.)

If I turned off my computer how would I be able to read the Washington Post? Seriously, I think the problem with TV is it requires less involvement of the viewer. When I am listening to a pod cast on my Ipod I am creating mental images, using my listening skills, and usually out walking the dog. The problem with the TV is that it encourages people to be sedentary and requires little imagination. Never turned on cable when I moved up here, and am not missing it one bit. I have a Netflix subscription. Turning off the computer, Ipod and black berry are missing the point of TV free week. Taking my Ipod with me to the gym helps over come the drudgery and keeps me there longer. This is definitely a positve for my fitness goals.

I don't participate, why should I? TV paranoia is silly, but if it makes others feel superior for not owning one, more power to you. Herd actions such as turn off your TV day is are just other people telling you how to live cause they think they know better than you. I'll keep on keepin on with what I'm doing.

Instead of TV Turnoff week, our church burns books that have harmful ideas. It's much more active and fun for the kids.

he thought the tv was only for watching the weather channel & a few other grown up channels.
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the weather channel? your family sounds like a barrel of laughs and I'm a vegan who doesn't drink saying this. sheesh. there's a world of art your alienating your child from.

Posted by: DCer | May 1, 2007 12:18 AM Instead of TV Turnoff week, our church burns books that have harmful ideas. It's much more active and fun for the kids.

DCer, It doesn't have to be an either/or. TV's burn too - but watchout for popping tubes and try not to breathe too much of the smoke!