According to a 2014 study published in JAMA Pediatrics, 59 percent of kids ages 10 to 14 have a TV in their bedroom and no one is telling them what to watch or not watch. The consequences of this oversight are far-reaching, affecting kids' health and overall happiness.
A recent study by Iowa State University published in Developmental Psychology found that children who have a TV or video game system in their room are watching and playing more violent, aggressive shows and games than children without a TV or game system in their room. It was reported that these children are also spending less time reading and sleeping.
Douglas Gentile, lead author and professor of psychology says, "It's a lot easier for parents to never allow a TV in the bedroom than it is to take it out. It's a question every parent must face, but there is a simple two-letter answer. That two-letter answer is tough, but it is worth it."
"Putting a TV in the bedroom gives children 24-hour access and privatizes it in a sense, so as a parent you monitor less and control their use of it less," Gentile stated. Likewise, clearing tablets, phones and computers from the bedroom prior to bed allows parents to monitor content that is viewed and ensure that it is appropriate for their age and temperament.