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2nd Trimester
TV will brainwash your child?!
I am considering getting rid of TV. There are numerous reason why. I would like my kids to not be in a habit of using TV as entertainment instead of playing games, going outside, building something, etc.
But recently, I've seen a few things that have really encouraged this decision such as Lady Gaga's new music video "Telephone", Gossip Girl's overly sexual nature... there's just been a lot of sex/violence/etc on TV in recent years that I don't want my kids growing up on. After hearing that Disney was trying to desensitize children to sexuality by putting subliminal images in their movies, I just don't trust media.
I came across this website the other day because people kept talking about it on YouTube: https://vigilantcitizen.com/. Some of it seems far fetched, but a lot of it really does make sense.
Is anyone else considering/planning on doing this?
If you don't plan on getting rid of TV, are you going to regulate what your children watch in another way? A lot of these TV shows that include this type of explicit content come on local channels. The "bad stuff" isn't just confined to HBO and MTV anymore.
*Also, I don't want anyone to think that I believe that if you let your kid watch TV you're a bad parent... I know I'm the oddball in this situation. Oh and "brainwash" was used as an exaggeration. 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: TV will brainwash your child?!
Dont turn on the stations you object to! There is plenty of kids programming that is not put out by Disney. My DD had benefited greatly from TV. She is a bright girl and she learns all sorts of education things from the programs I let her watch. Parental supervision and moderation is the key in most areas of parenting and I think its the same for TV.
We said we wouldn't do TV before two. We lasted until 18 months.
That being said, we do (and will) limit DD's exposure to TV, as well as moderate what she watches. She currently watches part of Blue's Clues in the morning while I get ready and half an hour of Dora (which she's doing right now lol) before bed. That's pretty much it, unless she's sick or something. We tend to focus on other activities.
Honestly, I'm bugged more by the commercials aimed toward children than the content of shows. I don't like people screaming at my kid to want things.
I could never get rid of my TV though. I enjoy movies too much. And Dexter.
Bar tab = $156,000, Bus to Foxwoods = $0, Puking in the Stanley Cup = Priceless
*Lurker (not quite 2nd tri...yet)
My DH and I don't even have TV now and we haven't for a while. We rent must see shows from Netflix and watch movies and that's it (on our computer monitor). We won't be getting cable or a TV after we have a kid anyway because we are used to not having it now (it saves so much $$ too!), so our kid will probably be allowed to watch movies (and TV at grandmom and grandad's house), but not on a regular basis and not until more than two years of age. I don't think all TV is bad though, in moderation.
We don't watch much TV. We don't have cable and we only have one TV. I figure that she won't be big enough to turn it on or get access to the remote until she's a little older anyways. I'm planning to purchase acceptable movies and control her access to the TV.
Since we don't have cable, there are only so many channels available. My husband can program out anything we don't want her accessing.
I'm not sure I'd go to the level of thought that the site you posted goes into though. For me, I don't want my kids watching TV and playing video games all day. We don't do it and we have the same expectations for our children. Plus, they don't need to be watching TV and learning through the ads that they "have to have" this item or that.
I think it's contradictory to tell my kids they can't watch it... then go in my room and shut the door and watch it. Maybe when they're 5 that will work... but what about when they're 10? If I want my kids to be raised a certain way, don't I need to be their example?
*Meant to quote Alilv
I agree with this as well.
I am not an advocate for using the TV as a babysitter but, I will not be getting rid of it.
Do what you think is best for your family and your child. We don't watch a lot of TV but I definitely don't think the TV we do watch is going to harm my child in the long run.
...and (gasp) the only children's channel DD is allowed to watch is the disney channel.
Thats really good he doesn't watch Spongebob... I read an article about controversey started over Patrick yelling "Eat Sperm!" It really sounds like thats what he is saying:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--W5SB_4OIE
I also tried to last until she was 2, but gave in at 18 months. She currently watches either the sprout channel or playhouse disney in the morning when she has her milk. Total, she watches maybe 30 min a day if that.
The cool thing about being the parent is that you're in charge. You can do anything you want, lock channels, unplug it, keep the remote up high (that's what I do
). Only have it in certain rooms, or take it away all together. I have a 13 year old son as well, and I agree with the pp about how much violence/sex there is on tv. I had to call the sattelite company to tell them not to send showtime to his receiver...too much naughty stuff at night.
Me, I can't live without dexter or lost
Whatever rocks your boat- go for it.
Do I disagree?- yes. Everything in moderation. That is my motto.
That show drives me insane!! I tell him watching it will rot his brain =P
So make TV the forbidden fruit that they are going to want when they go over to their friends house? How about just be a parent, and teach them moderation and control?
I personally think getting red of the TV is a little excessive, but whatever I guess.
I will choose to moderate their tv watching, just like I would their computer time. Moderation is key.
A kiss he will never forget- Disney World 2014
We don't have cable for many reasons. Since getting rid of it, it has improved DH and my relationship. When we had cable it got to the point of eating meals with it on, it was just getting in the way. We do a lot more together now. It was more of a problem for him, he wouldn't get a lot of things done. But now he is doing yoga with me and he reads! Two things no one would have thought he would pick up.
But I do watch grey's anatomy and desperate housewives online. And we watch the discovery channel online as well.(it's our favorite, I know geeks
) We still rent movies too.
The positive difference I saw in our relationship has convinced me that our child will have very little tv time. I will buy learning DVDs; baby Einstein, first signs (sign language video) We have an amazing hobby store here, and our girl will be in piano, and dance (like her mom
) that she will never have time for tv. I'm rambling now, sorry.
There's a possibility this could happen... but it could also work the complete opposite: kid never gets into TV and is bored when his friends want to watch it and would rather go ride bikes than watch some show where they really don't know the characters/plot.
I think a lot of TV watching that occurs with Americans is the result of a habit, not because it's truly the most entertaining activity at the moment.
If a child never forms that habit, they may actually be outright bored with TV.
No, this is fine! This is exactly what I would like to do (even the sign language part)! My hub and I were without cable for 2 weeks and it was actually nice. We are really considering getting rid of it for the reasons you gave! We noticed a difference in our relationship too!
Well... what do you think their motive was? Putting "Sex" and boners and penises in kid shows can't be done so with positive intentions.
And this issue with Disney has spanned over a decade, it's not just one cartoonist doing it.
I wouldn't blame you for axing the TV. There's a lot of bad stuff on these days and you're very right that it's no longer confined to a handful of channels. Of course, it's not just TV - all media has good worthwhile things competing with total garbage and it's up to us parents to sort it out.
Of course I'm much too worried about the blatant messages to worry about the "subliminal" ones (a method which has been proven ineffective since the 50's.) Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't give the major side-eye to https://vigilantcitizen.com/. Any site that promotes 9-11 "truth" theories and smacks of anti-semitism is out for me.
I would recommend you try out snopes.com, but that wouldn't be nearly as entertaining as offering you a great deal on my Arizona oceanfront property.
Yes, the blantant messages are enough to worry about. And the subliminal ones may not work, but what bothers me is that someone is putting them there on purpose. That's what makes me believe they don't have my child best interests in mind.
And to the other response above regarding the Disney movies: some may have been rebuked, but I don't think the word "Sex" appears after the power of suggestion. I believe that was put there purposely. The knee? Why is his knee moving up and down? Knees don't naturally move in that way. And maybe it was an upset employee who drew a penis on the cover of the movie, either way, Disney put it out there, they're responsible for it.
Either way, Disney is the least of my worries. So I'm not too concerned whether it's real or not. Like the previous poster said, it's the blantant stuff thats truly the concern-- the possibility of subliminal stuff just adds to it.
I have read a lot of research on TV and kids, and there are pros and cons. Kids (under 3) who watch Baby Einstein have a smaller vocabulary that those who watch American Idol. Baby Einstein is all-around terrible, and is a detriment to development. On the other hand, kids learn especially well when shown "multimedia" programming, especially if the content matches sounds/pictures/ideas and if the kids are learning a second language.
I'm keeping tv, and I will control what is on, and how often. TV is never a babysitter.
Studies that just came out in the NY Times said that the average teenager watches 7.5 hours of TV a day, and takes in 11 hours of media.
That's just disgusting to me.
So glad I read this! I'm going to look in to it more.
We will be getting rid of TV at the beginning of the summer because we just do not enjoy it.
I do watch a few shows, but those shows are online, so there is no use paying for it. (Flash Forward and Desperate Housewives are the only shows I ever make a point to watch.)
But I completely agree. TV is filthy these days and I would almost have to block every channel to keep the explicit content out of my home. I believe I will introduce my children to the bad parts of society on my own terms, in my own way. I don't need the TV to teach my child what this stuff is. And there are other ways to encourage speech and development besides a TV and we will explore and take advantage of those other options.
Oh, and I have heard of that website you are talking about. Some of the articles are far fetched, but you can't really deny the repeat themes in todays pop music. I do think Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z and Rihanna are pushing some ulterior agenda (whether or not they're Satanist, IDK, but I wouldn't put it passed them-- the Rihanna song Disturbia alludes to that idea pretty strongly). The repeat themes of sex, violence, and transhumanism in their music videos are not coincidence.
"What's wrong with me?
Why do I feel like this?
I'm going crazy now
It's a thief in the night to come and grab you
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind, it can control you
It's too close for comfort
Your mind's in disturbia, it's like the darkness is light
Disturbia, am I scaring you tonight?
Disturbia, ain't used to what you like
Disturbia, disturbia
It's a thief in the night to come and grab you
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind it can control you
I feel like a monster, oh
Release me from this curse I'm in
Trying to maintain but I'm struggling
If you can't go-o-o
I think I'm gonna ah, ah, ah, ah"
Suburbs? Sounds like possession to me (or some mental disorder). The music video drives the possession assumption home. She's chained up, in a cage, her eyes are solid white.... she looks just like Linda Blair straight out of The Exorcist.
Or maybe she's comparing something to being possessed. But that's not made clear... all she sings about is how she is ensalved, cursed, mentally controlled, and unhappy with her situation.
Lol... I hope I never have to live in those suburbs.