Parents believe TV has positive effect on child development

Eight out of 10 parents believe television has a positive effect on their child’s development, according to new research commissioned by Freeview.

The report, created with the help of psychologist Dr Tanya Byron, found that 66% of parents indicated the positive effect of TV on their child’s numeracy and musical skills (66%), while just over a quarter (28%) said that some TV programmes encouraged their child to exercise whilst watching.

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.

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.

Half of the parents surveyed said that digital TV recorders have revolutionised their child’s viewing in a positive way, and 68% stated that it has made it easier to control and plan what their child watches around their routine.

In addition, provided their child’s TV consumption is monitored, balanced and controlled, 85% of parents don’t feel guilty about letting their children watch TV.

Byron said: “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.”

She added: “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.”

Freeview: 08708 80 99 80 www.freeview.co.uk