David Barker, 12, Birmingham
I think that kids watch far too much TV for their own wellbeing, and the amount of TV is growing. I don't have a TV is my room, and I would not want one because it would distract me from my work.
| I keep my TV on in my room at night. It helps me to sleep. |
James Watkins, 11, Plymouth
Parents complain about children having TV in their rooms because there is sometimes a lot of violence and swearing. But I think it's OK from the age of ten because from that age children understand the difference between right and wrong. But parents should check what their children are watching. If they are watching programmes they shouldn't, the parents should give their children a warning before taking the TV away.
Rebecca Patterson, 9, Newcastle upon Tyne
Children should have televisions in their room because people want to watch different things. I like Charmed but my Mum likes to watch EastEnders, which is on at the same time. Sometimes she goes up to my room to watch TV and I watch it in the living room. Some of the stuff on late at night is scary, but I still watch it. Half of the time I listen to my CD player. If I'm doing my homework I usually play music.
PJ Hart, 14, Belfast
This year I am studying for my GCSEs, and have voluntarily unplugged the TV in my room. I've always found it a big distraction when I'm trying to study. Even though it doesn't seem to work for me, I don't think parents should automatically ban televisions from bedrooms. Maybe if the TV is interfering with schoolwork or if the child is staying up late to watch it, then perhaps it should be taken out of the room.
Natasha Liddle, 14, Newcastle upon Tyne
Children should be allowed a TV in their room but they should be allowed to watch it only up to a certain time. There are some things that they should not be allowed to watch such as horror films, violence and over-18 stuff. I keep my TV on in my room at night. It helps me to sleep.
Leanne Williams, 14, Newcastle upon Tyne
There's educational stuff on TV, such as Bitesize on BBC2, which helps you with your maths and English. I've got a TV in my room and I watch it for about an hour a night. I watch The Bill, EastEnders and Coronation Street. Having your own TV prevents family arguments about what you are going to watch.
Michael Williams, 11, Birmingham
I think that children should not have a TV in their room because when they are supposed to be doing homework they will turn it on, and this will distract them. They might put it on when they are supposed to be sleeping and they will stay up watching it, and parents will not know. They will be tired and will not want to get up for school, therefore making them late.
About answer back
answer back is a weekly column by Children's Express members, published in the Parents' pages of The Times.
