As a parent I’m sure we’ve all been there where our children have asked for a television in their bedroom, I know I have. I can still remember getting my first television in my room at around the age of 10, a small black and white screen which I thought was the most amazing gift I’ve ever been given. Looking back now that makes me feel so old! Reliant recently conducted some research which showed that unsurprisingly 75% of children want a television in their bedroom and yet 43% of parents which they had waited before they allowed this to happen.

At 18, Lewis has had a television in his bedroom for a long time now but so far, at 8, 9 and 10, the children don’t have televisions in their bedrooms yet. I think our main reason for this is that the children have a large playroom with a television which they can use as and when they choose throughout the day. That said, there are some excellent reasons as to why children can benefit from having a television in their bedroom and when the time comes, I think the pros out-weigh the cons.

1. It can help a child to relax and unwind before bed

Obviously this completely depends on what your child is watching before bed, something fast paced and thrilling may have the opposite effect, but the correct choice of show or movie can actually help a child to relax, calm down and unwind before getting some sleep.

2. It can be a source of comfort to children

A television can be a great source of comfort to children, especially if they are feeling particularly anxious or, for older children, are home alone.

3. It can provide a sense of independence and privacy

As children grow more independent, having a television in their bedroom can give them a real sense of privacy which is necessary especially the older they get. For tweens and teens with hormones to contend with, having that privacy can really help, particularly if they have younger siblings too.

4. It can be educational to children

Again, depending on the kind of content your children are viewing, a television can bring a great deal of education as they grow. With so many educational tv shows and documentaries, there is huge scope or learning and I know our children have all learned so much this way.

5. It can help a child feel connected to the outside world

For children who are unable to leave their bedroom for any length of time, perhaps due to illness of physical disabilities, having a television can keep them connected to the outside world. This is so important for their mental and emotional well-being.

So what’s the right age for a child to have a television in their bedroom?

I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this question, every child is different, everyones circumstances are different and, as parents, I think weighing up the pros and cons is the best way to approach it. I’m sure in the next few years each of my children will have a television in their bedrooms as long as we have strict rules on what time this is switched off at night, the kind of content they are viewing, and also actively encouraging non-screen time too.

** This is a sponsored post. All words and opinions are my own **