Parents may find it beneficial to limit the amount of TV their kids watch. According to an expert, sitting in front of the television could be disrupting children’s time in their beds . Dr. John Sharry, a social worker, psychotherapist and director of charity Parents Plus, acknowledged that while ''managing television viewing and deciding just how much is okay are common dilemmas for parents'', allowing youngsters to have a TV in their bedroom may be an unwise decision. Such an arrangement encourages children to spend yet more time in front of the box, and the lure of the TV makes more appeal than kids getting into their children's beds and falling asleep. Dr. Sharry told The Irish Times that, according to scientific studies, some long-term consequences could include disrupted sleep patterns, poor performance at school and childhood obesity. However, parents should not cut TV out of their children's lives completely, as it can prove beneficial if used in an educational context, Dr. Sharry added. Parents can watch their child's favourite TV programme with them and talk together about the content. Watching TV - in not too large doses - can be a legitimate reward for good behaviour and such an activity can assist relaxation in children.
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